2009 Past Events

Not In My Neighbourhood Week

Bromyard Says Not In My Neighbourhood!

The residents of Bromyard were encouraged to say 'Not In My Neighbourhood' to crime and anti-social behaviour this week (Monday 2nd November - Friday 6th November), with assistance from Safer Herefordshire.

As part of a national Home Office campaign, Safer Herefordshire arranged an environmental clean up day in Bromyard on Monday 2nd November, between 10am and 2pm, with support from partner organisations.

The primary focus was the removal of graffiti in the A44 underpass (between Nunwell Street and Tower Hill) and a litter pick at the Kempson Players park and children's play area (between York Road and Wilmslow Road).

The graffiti clean up was carried out by Amey, while the litter pick was a combined effort between Herefordshire Council's Community Protection Team, Safer Herefordshire, Amey and West Mercia Police. 

Along side the two environmental events, there was also an information event running in the Co-op car park on Tenbury Road, which was attended by numerous different organisations, all offering free community safety advice, information and support to local residents.  The participating agencies included:

• Amey 
• Community Protection Team
• Hereford & Worcester Fire and Rescue Service
• Road Safety
• Safer Herefordshire
• Signposting
• Trading Standards
• West Mercia Police

Safer Herefordshire also attended other information events throughout the week with West Mercia Police and other partner agencies in Hereford High Town (Wednesday 4th November) and Ledbury Town Centre (Friday 6th November).

It's important that communities and organisations alike come together to say no to crime and anti-social behaviour in our county.  Although Herefordshire has a low crime rate in comparison to other areas, it's still essential that we work together to make our neighbourhoods safer and cleaner places to live, work and visit.

For further details on Not In My Neighbourhood Week and how to become involved in future campaigns, contact Sharon Amery, Safer Herefordshire Marketing Officer on 01432 260324 or samery@herefordshire.gov.uk.

NIMN Week Litter Pick Bromyard

Bromyard Says Not In My Neighbourhood......Litter Pick

It was a beautiful Autumn morning for a litter pick and we managed to fill quite a few bags with rubbish from the Kempson Players and surrounding area.

Pictured having a hard earned rest with the Quinton family are:

Back Row (L-R):  Don Quinton (local resident), Keith Eyles (Community Protection Team) and CSO Sue Berrett (Bromyard Local Policing Team)

Front Row (L-R): Michelle Morgan (Amey), Amy and Natalie Quinton (local residents) and Algis Gedevicius (Amey)

NIMN Week Graffiti Clean Bromyard

Bromyard Says Not In My Neighbourhood......Graffiti Clean

Amey did a fabulous job of cleaning the unsightly graffiti in the A44 underpass.

Amey representative Algis Gedevicius is seen here hard at work, watched by CSO Sue Berrett from Bromyard Local Policing Team.

Halloween 2009

'No Trick or Treat' Campaign

West Mercia Police & Safer Herefordshire Wish Everyone A Safe Halloween

West Mercia Police is once again working towards ensuring everyone has a safe Halloween and Safer Herefordshire is proud to help support them.

Police are encouraging residents to display a special 'No Trick or Treat' poster in their window or door if they do not wish to be disturbed by nuisance visitors on 31st October.

Although Herefordshire is a safe place to live, many communities feel concerned about anti-social behaviour at this time of year and elderly or vulnerable residents may feel intimidated by trick or treaters at their door. Trick or treaters are also asked to show respect and move on if they see one of the displayed posters.

The Police would like to remind residents to be aware of the following safety messages:

• You have the right to say no to trick or treaters
• Always use your door chain when opening the door
• Do not let anyone in your house unless you are happy with their identity
• Do not deal with doorstep sales people unless you are sure that they are genuine
• Always ask for identification from official callers
• If you need goods or services, buy only from reputable suppliers or by recommendation

The specially designed poster can either be downloaded free from our website or collected from your nearest Police Station.  There is also a blank version available, which is perfect for children to colour in.

We also ask parents to please remind children to respect other peoples wishes and to keep Halloween a safe and enjoyable event for everybody.

Leominster in Bloom

Leominster In Bloom 2009

Safer Herefordshire is once again proud to support this annual event and our wonderful banner is now on display in The Corn Square.

For further details on this community initiative, please visit www.leominsterinbloom.co.uk.

Hereford Police Station

Hereford Police Station Open Day

Have you ever fancied having a peek around a Police Station and seeing behind the scenes?  Well, now you can!

Hereford Police Station has recently been partially refurbished, with one of the major features being a new and improved custody suite.  This has been a large project for the Herefordshire Division of West Mercia Police and it will make a very real difference in the successful delivery of policing in Herefordshire.

The custody suite is due to be officially opened and put to work on Thursday 30th July 2009, however prior to this date the public will be welcome to attend an open day between 10am and 4pm on Sunday 19th July 2009.  This will afford the public a better understanding of the work carried out by the Police on a daily basis, along with the opportunity to visit the new custody suite.  There is also the promise of fun activities for children.

Along with the general open day, there are also two additional open days planned.  These will be on Thursday 16th July and Friday 17th July between 2pm and 10pm.  These two sessions are aimed at voluntary organisations, such as Brownies, Cubs and Scouts, along with schools, colleges and youth centres and will consist of a more formal tour of the facilities.

National Tackling Drugs Week

National Tackling Drugs Week

This month sees us focusing on National Tackling Drugs Week, from Monday 8th June to Friday 12th June 2009.

In order to inform Herefordshire of this campaign, we decided to get out and about and visit The Big Event at The King George V Playing Fields in Hereford on Saturday 6th June.  So despite the rather soggy weather, off we went armed with information and 'freebies' galore!

We teamed up with other local agencies on the day including CLD Youth Counselling Trust, Drug Advisory Service Herefordshire (DASH), Family Drug Support (FDS), Herefordshire Council Youth Service, South Wye Drug & Alcohol Forum and West Mercia Women's Aid. 

We were delighted to talk to so many amazing people from across the County and offer invaluable information on drug and alcohol misuse, along with community safety.

There must be quite a few offices across Herefordshire now adjourned with National Tackling Drugs pens and notepads, not to mention numerous teenagers sporting their pink BSafe BSober T-Shirts from the South Wye Drug & Alcohol Forum!

For further information on drug and alcohol issues and where to go for help, advice and support, please visit our drug and alcohol information pages.

World Hepatitis Day

Are you worried about Hepatitis and want to know more?

We will be celebrating World Hepatitis Day on Tuesday 19th May by holding an informal Hepatitis awareness session at St Peter's Church Hall in Hereford. 

The session will be run by Hepatitis C Specialist Joanne Spicer from 1:30pm - 2:30pm and will include:

• What Is Hepatitis Q & A Session
• How To Spot Hepatitis Quiz
• Self Assessment Methods

There will also be free food and drink available, along with various quiz prizes.

1 in 12 people worldwide suffer from Hepatitis, to prevent yourself from being that one person, come along to our afternoon session for invaluable advice and information.

For further details contact Sharon Amery (Marketing Officer) on 01432 260324 or samery@herefordshire.gov.uk.

Rider Skills Assessment Day

WHAM! Rider Skills Assessment Day

Sutton St Nicholas Community Hall

Sunday 19th April 2009 10.00am - 4.00 pm

Is It For You?

The WHAM! Rider Skills Assessment Day is for any rider with a full motorcycle licence.  Whether you have...

• Been riding for years or just passed your test
• A sports bike or a large touring machine
• Done track days or advanced training
• Attended Bike Safe sessions or done no additional awareness courses
• All riders are welcome and everybody will get something out of the day

What Will It Cost?

The Rider Skills Assessment Day is completely free and you could even win a prize!  The day is generously sponsored by the Herefordshire Road Safety Group and is organised by the Worcester and Hereford Advanced Motorcyclists (WHAM!). 

Where Is It?

The village of Sutton St Nicholas is approximately 3 miles North East of Hereford and the Community Hall is easy to find as it is on the North - South road through the village (Hereford to Bodenham).

The Ride!

After meeting your IAM Observer you will have a short introductory chat to let you know where and how WHAM! conduct your assessed ride.  You will then have an approximate 40 minute ride with a small break in the middle so you can discuss various riding techniques.  Your Observer may well then give a short demonstration ride to show you the practical techniques and advantages of advanced motorcycling, before you again take the lead back to Sutton St Nicholas.

The Assessment!

Once back at the Community Hall your IAM Observer will discuss your ride with you and complete a simple 'Ride Assessment' form for you to keep.  The emphasis is on a safe, smooth, systematic and progressive ride, up to the legal limits where safe to do so.  You will be advised of how you could improve your road riding skills and thereby reduce your chance of being involved in a traffic accident.

The Prizes!

Two FREE 'Skill for Life' programmes to be won!!

All riders participating in the event will be automatically entered into a free prize draw and at the end of the day one lucky rider will be drawn from the hat and win a free 'Skill for Life' programme - worth over £100!  Also the youngest rider on the day will be awarded a free 'Skill for Life' programme.  These prizes have been kindly donated by the Herefordshire Road Safety Group.

How Long Will It Take?

The pre-booked sessions are expected to take no longer than a total of 1¼ hours.  However, you are more than welcome to stay and chat to other WHAM! members who have recently completed the IAM 'Skill for Life' advanced motorcycling programme.  You can also enjoy some refreshments (at very reasonable prices) and have your photograph taken with the THINK! bike.

How To Book?

To book your session please contact John Hodges from WHAM! on 01432 890606.  For further information please visit the official WHAM! website at www.wham-motorcycling.org.

Safe, Sound & Sorted

Safe, Sound & Sorted Event

High Town, Maylord Orchards & St Peter's Church

Wednesday 15th April 2009 10:00am - 4:00pm

The Herefordshire Safeguarding Children Board is hosting their first ever Safe, Sound & Sorted event for children, parents and carers in Herefordshire. 

The inaugural event is to be held throughout High Town, Maylord Orchards and St Peter's Church during the Easter holidays and will be fantastic fun for all the family.

We would love for you to come along and join in the fun, which includes:

• Face painting with Wizard Wonky
• Closer To The Edge Climbing wall
• Jugglers and stilt walkers
• About Face Theatre Group
• Competitions
• Fun games and activities
• Music and entertainment from Wyvern FM and The Thunders

We will have different activities going on throughout the day in all three locations, including Tai Chi demonstrations and theatre productions.

We will also be joined on the day by numerous agencies, including West Mercia Constabulary, Hereford & Worcester Fire & Rescue Service, Herefordshire Council, Herefordshire Road Safety Group, Family Drug Support, West Mercia Women's Aid, Noah's Ark and Halo Leisure to name but a few; all offering advice, support and information for children and parents.

The Herefordshire Community Safety and Drugs Partnership, who has helped organise the event, will also be there on the day, offering advice and information on child drug and alcohol misuse. 

Safeguarding children is everyone's business and in its simplest terms can be defined as keeping children and young people safe from harm such as illness, abuse or injury and promoting their welfare and well being.