Top 10 tips to keep homes warmer for less this winter

ON FREEZING winter days like these and rising energy costs, homeowners should look now at some things they can do to protect their homes and wallets from the effects of falling temperatures. NHBC, a UK warranty provider and standards setting body for new build homes, offers the following advice to keep your home cosy and draught free for the winter:

Christmas drink drive campaign

Northamptonshire Police have arrested 52 people since the start of the Christmas drink drive campaign.

Read more: http://www.northampton-news-hp.co.uk/News/Northampton-News/Police-have-arrested-52-motorists-since-December-1-in-Christmas-drink-drive-campaign-20131218094800.htm#ixzz2ntboZPit

Proposed Northamptonshire tidy tip charge described as "backward"

A proposal to introduce a charge at tidy tips has been criticised as “backward” and “irresponsible” by a senior figure from the Green Party.

Read more: http://www.northampton-news-hp.co.uk/News/Northampton-News/Proposed-Northamptonshire-tidy-tip-charge-described-as-backward-20131216193804.htm#ixzz2ntayXtjD

Merry Christmas from the SJRA Committee.

Warning!

Police are issuing crime prevention advice after a phone scam continues to affect people in Northamptonshire. 

The phone scam encourages residents to part with bank details including pin numbers and banks cards and police are urging people never to part with this information.

During the scam the offender calls the resident, purporting to be a police officer, investigating a fraud on their bank account, a fraud investigator from a bank or other bank official. They then ask for account information, including their card numbers, security number and pin number.

Police non emergencies & enquiries 101 update

Local people can now report an incident or crime when they call 101.

The Victims’ Voice report identified the lack of an option for people to report an incident or crime when calling the non-emergency number.

In the past callers have been given four options, none of which were to report a crime or incident. 

The phone system has now been changed so there are just three options; if you know the name or extension of the person you wish to speak to, to report a crime or incident and for all other departments and enquiries.

Police and Crime Commissioner Adam Simmonds said he welcomed the change, which he hopes will improve the experience of victims and witnesses of crime who are contacting the police.

Legal Highs

POLICE and public health professionals are repeating warnings about ‘legal highs’ following a number of recent incidents in the county.

Three men were found collapsed outside a night club in Northampton town centre last weekend and were taken to hospital. It is believed they had taken a substance identified as a ‘legal high’.

All the men are recovering but the county councillor responsible for public health and well being said that he had serious concerns about the availability and use of new psychotropic drugs.

Councillor Robin Brown said: “The very term ‘legal highs’ could lull people into thinking that these substances are safe and regulated. 

Are you aware?

 Are you aware quite how dangerous getting distracted while driving is?

That's the question that police across Northamptonshire will be asking next week in support of Brake's national Road Safety Week which starts on Monday, November 18. The aim of the initiative is to highlight the risks to all road users - drivers, bikers, cyclists and pedestrians - of being involved in a road traffic collision as a result of being distracted. People can be distracted when using a mobile phone, using headphones, applying make up, eating and drinking.

Sergeant Mark Pointer said: "Driver distraction is a major cause of death and serious injury in the UK. Driving is the most dangerous thing that most of us do on a daily basis and requires full attention, but many drivers have a sense of over-confidence and attempting to multi-task is common."