Three more distraction burglaries involving violence on elderly people have been reported to police. These follow seven cases last week which included, as reported in the H&P, a raid on the home of a 92-year-old who feared for his life after he was attacked and left with bruising and cuts to his face.

Detective Inspector Lorraine Gordon, who is leading the investigation, said: “These callous individuals are clearly targeting the elderly to commit these horrific crimes and what makes them worse is the violence or threat of violence used.

“We can’t stress enough how important it is for the elderly or vulnerable not to open the door if they do not recognise the caller.

“We have had a number of cases recently where victims are opening the door without verifying who the caller is.

“We are carrying out regular patrols in the neighbourhoods and issuing leaflets in the area.

Published: 20/09/2012 14:00 - Updated: 19/09/2012 18:58 H&P

Sheltered Housing Support Service consultation closes on Monday

Consultation on the proposed changes to the Sheltered Housing Support Service closes on Monday, 24 September.

There are 2,200 sheltered housing properties in Northampton and currently support is only provided to these sheltered housing tenants and not to other older people in general needs housing. The current service is considered to be inflexible and fixed at four levels offering daily, weekly or monthly visits by a Sheltered Housing Co-ordinator and an emergency alarm only service.
The proposals look at changing the service to provide support based on customers’ needs, now and in the future. This means that each tenant would have a personalised level of support that can increase or decrease depending on assessed needs. The changes would also introduce new ways for tenants to access support, for example by popping along to drop-in sessions or telephoning support staff for information and help.
Information about the consultation and the questionnaire is available on the Council’s website by visiting www.northampton.gov.uk/shelteredhousing

Save Our NHS

Police and Crime Commissioner Candidates

 

Election Explained

On 15 November 2012, for the first time ever, the public across England and Wales will elect a Police and Crime Commissioner who will be accountable for how crime is tackled in their police force areas. One of their main roles will be to hold the Chief Constable to account. The Prospective Candidates for Northamptonshire are as follows:

Prospective Candidates:

Adam Simmonds - Con

Jim McArthur - UKIP

John Norrie - Ind

Lee Barron - Lab

Matt Stockdale - Ind

Paul Varnsverry - Lib Dem

For more information please visit the links below:

http://www.policeelections.com/candidates/northamptonshire/

http://policecrimecommissioner.co.uk/

Please be advised that external links are beyond the control of the SJRA.

New Nursery Opening

Housing consultation drop-in sessions taking place next week

Three housing drop-in sessions will take place next week where people can pop along, find out more and ask questions about the consultations that are taking place. Tenants, people on the Housing Register and local residents are being asked for their views on proposals to change the Sheltered Housing Support Service and Allocations Policy and Tenancy Strategy.

The three drop-in sessions will take place on:

• Monday, 16 July, 10am to 12 noon in the Court Room, at the Guildhall
• Thursday, 19 July, 2pm to 4pm in the community room, Goldcrest Court, Goldings
• Saturday, 21 July, 10am to 2pm at the Market Square, Northampton town centre

Councillor Mary Markham, Cabinet member for housing said: "We are proposing to make changes to the Sheltered Housing Support Services and the Allocations Policy and Tenancy Strategy. The changes could affect you and I would urge people to come along to one of the drop-in sessions which will be taking place over the next few weeks to find out more and have a say on the proposals.”  As well as the two drop-in sessions, a presentation will be made about the consultations at the Disabled People’s Forum and the Diverse Communities Forum. People attending the forums will also be able to ask questions about the proposed changes.

The Disabled People’s Forum takes place on Tuesday, 17 July and begins at 5.30pm in the One Stop Shop at the Guildhall. The Diverse Communities Forum takes place on Wednesday, 18 July and begins at 6.30pm in the Godwin Room at the Guildhall.

Information about the consultations and the questionnaires is available on the Council’s website by visiting:

Sheltered Housing: www.northampton.gov.uk/shelteredreview

Allocations Policy and Tenancy Strategy: www.northampton.gov.uk/consultations

Anyone who has concerns about the proposed changes or would like further information can call 0300 330 7000 or email consulthousing@northampton.gov.uk 

New Flowers for St James

The SJRA working with local residents to make and keep St James and the flower beds looking nice.





Flowers Donated by the St James Residents' Association.

No parking at Delapre for Saturday's carnival

Visitors attending Northampton Carnival this Saturday (July 14) will not be able to park in the grounds of Delapre Abbey because the land is waterlogged.

The Carnival will go ahead as planned and will be using the park at Delapre Abbey after parading round the town.  But the persistent wet weather has made the ground unfit for vehicles to cross and so cars won’t be allowed in to the Park.

Councillor Brandon Eldred, Northampton Borough Council Cabinet Member for Community Engagement, said that the council had worked closely with the Carnival committee to make sure the event can go ahead."Although the weather has been dreadful we have tried really hard to ensure that the Carnival can take place as we know how much people enjoy the event and how much it brings to the town.  But the ground is just too wet to allow cars to park so we are asking visitors to make sure they plan their journey so that they can park and walk into the site.”

More information about the carnival can be found at http://www.northamptoncarnival2012.co.uk/