Beware! Fair weather Burglars!

PEOPLE LIVING IN THE EAST RIDING are being urged to take another look at their home security after a spate of burglaries and attempted burglaries across the area including many with insecure doors and windows because of the recent good weather.

Detective Sergeant Gavin Orsborne from the Humberside Police Serious and Acquisitive Crime Team said:

“Opportunist burglars are clearly making the most of the invitations they are being offered by householders across the East Riding who continue to leave their homes insecure. Whilst I understand the need to keep cool when the weather is warm it is imperative that windows and doors are always kept secure to protect homes from burglars who will act within seconds and cause upset and misery to their victims. People need to take the simple steps now before they too become victims of burglary.”

Investigations are underway into burglaries and attempted burglaries and officers are keen to hear from anyone who thinks they may have information about incidents or may have seen something or someone suspicious in the vicinity of any offences.

Witnesses should contact Humberside Police on 0845 60 60 222 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Twitter: You can follow Sergeant Gavin Orsborne on Twitter at @DSGavOrsborne.

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Exercise Watermark - Preparing for catastrophic flooding

EMERGENCY SERVICES from across the East Riding of Yorkshire are taking part in the nation’s biggest emergency exercise today as part of a week of national activities.

Hull and East Yorkshire local authorities, emergency services, the Environment Agency and central government are simulating a flood caused by a major tidal surge and will test their ability to respond, including planning major road closures and evacuations. Senior officers from all the agencies are taking part in the exercise at County Hall, Beverley today (Wednesday 9 March 2011).

Exercise Watermark will test national and local preparedness for catastrophic flooding from overflowing rivers, collapsing reservoirs and tidal surges across England and Wales.

Agencies including Humberside Fire and Rescue, police, the coast guard, Environment Agency, ambulance service, Army, RAF, hospitals and major businesses are all participating in this or other exercises during the week.

These organisations will work with central government bodies such as the COBRA emergency committee and the Cabinet Office to test responses to a major tidal surge and surface water flooding over four days. The tidal surge scenario is one of the ‘core’ activities which will be tested during the national exercise.

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Hull CVS website - good for the East Riding

THE HU12 WEBSITE aims to bring news and information that is useful to those actively involved in local communities. There are of course several organisations and websites already doing this. One very useful website to add to your "favourites" list is the Hull CVS website (designed by Media Blocks).

Whilst principally geared towards Hull, the CVS (Community and Voluntary Services) website is also very relevant to the East Riding. There are news items and notices from local, regional and national organisations and notification of key consultations taking place that are relevant to the voluntary sector.

Whilst the organisation has yet to realise the full potential of using Twitter, Facebook and social media, the Hull CVS does have an excellent e-newsletter highlighting what is new on the site. The latest is available at Newsletter, February 2011 (provided by ConstantContact). Note: Finding the Sign-up page for the e-newsletter on the website is currently problematic, however, you can sign up from previous newsletters.

In the East Riding, other useful 'infrastructure' websites worth bookmarking are:

• Humber & Wolds Rural Community Council
• East Riding Voluntary Action Services

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National Citizen Service for 16 year olds launched

THE NATIONAL CITIZEN SERVICE has been launched by the Government. Involving tough physical challenges and community projects, it will aim to help 16-year-olds to learn new skills and develop the attitude needed to become active, responsible citizens.

The Service has been launched by twelve groups to 'pilot' ideas in different areas. Field Studies Council will provide some places for 16 year olds in Hull, while those in the East Riding have been directed to national providers, Catch 22 - although they have no projects listed in this area at the time of writing.

National Citizen Service will take place during the summer after school students finish Year 11. It will run for three weeks full-time, including two weeks away from home. After that, you’ll need to complete another 30 hours on a part-time basis.

Activities like mountaineering, canoeing and abseiling will be on offer, and the young citizens will get the opportunity to design and deliver their own community project to improve the area where they live.

David Cameron has helped launch the Service on Facebook. This is what he had to say:

"I want National Citizen Service to inspire you to realise what you can achieve. This summer you will be able to spend two months mixing with other young people, learning new skills, and putting something back into your community. NCS will be available to 11,000 people in 2011 and 30,000 in 2012. Over time I want all sixteen year olds to be able to take part."

The first pilot programmes will start in July after the end of GCSE examinations and will end in National Citizen Service graduation ceremonies attended by family and friends.

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