Cuadrilla Resources has been exploring for shale gas at two sites in the Fylde area since August 2010. As part of our exploration operations, we will begin a Geophysical Survey at the end of February. The Survey is expected to last three months, and will take place across the Fylde area.

 As part of Cuadrilla’s open engagement with the community, we will be holding three public information days where members of the project team will be on hand to answer questions you may have about the Geophysical Survey or other aspects of Cuadrilla’s operations.

Saturday 25^th February 

Cllrs Preview: 2.30pm-3.00pm

Public: 3.00pm – 5:30pm

Church Road Centre

Church Road Methodist Church

Lytham St Annes

FY8 3NQ

 Friday 2nd  March

Cllrs Preview: 4.30pm-5.00pm

Public: 5.00pm – 8:30pm

Wesham Community Centre

Church Road

Wesham

PR4 3DQ

 Thursday 1st March

Cllrs Preview: 4.30pm-5.00pm

Public: 5.00pm – 8:30pm

Elswick Village Hall

Roseacre Road

Elswick

PR4 3UD

Greenlands Sports Village planning application 11/0554 was to be heard on 29th Feb at St Margarets Church Hall.  Please note this DCC (Planning) meeting will not now include this item  and no new date has been given.  It is known that a number of people were keen to use the coach that had been laid on to ensure everyone who wanted to could attend the meeting.  This will be rearranged when the new date is known.

POLICE in Lytham are appealing to the public to be vigilant after a cashpoint in the town was found to have been fitted with a secret camera.

 The first cashpoint to raise suspicions was the Lloyds TSB cashpoint on Clifton Street where a small hole was discovered on 9^th February directly above the keypad, although a camera was not attached.

 However, police then checked the cashpoint at Santander on Clifton Street where a camera was discovered.

 Police suspect these have been installed by criminals in an attempt to film customers inputting their pin numbers and are warning customers to take precautions:

PC Dave Payne said: “The spy holes would not be visible to members of the public without crouching down and looking up at the unit above the keypad.

 “Our advice would be to always use your hand to shield yourself when entering your pin number. As yet, we have yet to receive any reports of people having been victims of bank machine scams but we would urge people to be vigilant.

“Neighbourhood police teams have been visiting various premises throughout Lytham and discovered similar spy holes in other machines, although there were no further cameras were attached. Officers are now visiting cashpoints throughout the Fylde.”

 Anyone with any information should call Lancashire Police on 101.

 People with information can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or on-line at Crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.

The scam email which claims to be from the Daytime Television programme called “Heir Hunters” is being used to obtain personal information.

The email prompts users to respond with personal information such as full name, date of birth, address and telephone number.

A warning posted on the BBC website reads:

“We have been informed that someone has been sending out emails purporting to come from the Heir Hunters programme and referring to this website”

“Please be aware that these emails have no connection with the BBC or Flame Television, the makers of Heir Hunters, and you should ignore them. You should not reply to them and if you believe that persons are attempting to deceive you with a view to monetary gain, then you should contact the police.”

Follow this link for latest Police InTouch Drug Dealer’s seized cash given to charity Press Relr

WORKING SMOKE ALARMS SAVE LIVES – EVERY HOUSE SHOULD HAVE ONE

 THOUGH the number of house fires and injuries in Lancashire are at their lowest levels, in the last month, Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service has rescued 23 people from house fires.  Sadly six people have lost their lives, including four children. 

 Working smoke alarms and a little basic fire awareness can make the difference between life and death in the event of a fire in the home.  They give a vital early warning and extra time to escape.

You can get a FREE smoke alarm and fire safety advice from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service at ANY fire station in Lancashire on Saturday 21^st January between 11am and 5pm – just call in.

Alternatively fire service staff will also be out and about at shopping centres, football grounds and other community venues during this time.  Visit our website www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk to find out where they will be.  People can also get a smoke alarm from Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service by ringing 0800 169 1125 to book a Home Fire Safety Check.

Peter Holland, Lancashire’s Chief Fire Officer said: “So many deaths and injuries from house fires can be prevented by taking a few simple steps such as taking care when cooking, putting out cigarettes and not leaving electrical appliances switched on.  But if a fire does happen, a working smoke detector will help to save your life by giving you an early warning and more time to get out.  If you haven’t got a smoke alarm come to your fire station this Saturday to get one, or phone us to arrange a home fire safety check.

“If you have a smoke alarm – go and check it now and check it every week after this.  Never, ever remove the batteries or take the smoke alarm down from the ceiling.  Clean your smoke alarm with a vacuum cleaner attachment twice a year – perhaps when the clocks change.  These simple actions could mean the difference between life and death.

 Information and video on how to fit, test and clean smoke alarms is available the Service website www.lancsfirerescue.org.uk, on its Facebook page Lancashire Fire and Rescue or on You Tube.

  Sue Blackburn

Watch Liaison Officer

Community Safety Department

Lancashire Constabulary

Western Division (Blackpool and Fylde)

Bonny Street

Blackpool, Lancashire FY1 5RL

I am looking to set up a Book Club in Wrea Green ,if anyone interested in joining please contact Karen Smurthwaite on 01772 672500.

I’m a former resident of Wrea Green and am delighted to return to work here as a Freelance Fitness Instructor: ‘Simply Fitness’ with Sue.

I enjoy teaching Fitness Pilates at St. Nicholas’ Church (where I got married!) and hold mixed ability classes for the community on Tuesdays and Thursdays (at 5.45pm and at 7pm) in the lovely room at the church Centre. The classes cater for all levels, each exercise has options.

Pilates is a matwork-based series of exercises originally designed by Joseph Pilates, to improve posture, strength, balance and flexibility. It has been popular with celebrities, sports people and the general public for its many benefits, e.g. from back care to toning the abdominals etc.

I also hold Pilates/yoga fusion classes to stretch the body and and relax the mind. These are ‘stress-busting’ Candlelit sessions and include a longer relaxation.

The next dates are:
Weds. Nov. 23rd (6.30pm for 2 hours)
Tues. Dec. 13th (6.30pm for 2 hours)
Thurs. Dec 15th (6.30pm for 2 hours)

My contact details are: simplyfitness4u@yahoo.co.uk
tel: 07757 952 720 to book a class (essential please)
Thank you.

Almost half of Blackpool and Fylde burglaries committed at insecure homes – lock up to keep thieves out

RESIDENTS are being urged to keep their most treasured possessions safe by making sure they lock doors and windows to keep burglars out.

During September and October almost half of the burglaries committed in Blackpool and the Fylde happened because householders had failed to secure their homes. Figures show that 76 homes were targeted because doors and windows were unlocked, allowing criminals easy access to take what they wanted.

Detective Inspector Becky Smith, Blackpool CID, said: “A person’s home is often the biggest financial investment of their life and inside that home are the things that are most dear to them – sentimental items, valuable possessions, and of course their family and other loved ones.

“It seems unbelievable that people would put these things at risk by not locking up when they go to bed or when they leave the house – and yet this was the case in 45 per cent of the burglaries that we were called to over the past two months.”

She added: “Burglary rates are low across the county, but it is disappointing to know that amongst those that have taken place, almost half could have been avoided through simple crime prevention measures. We need residents to work with us when it comes to combating crime and locking out thieves.”

Residents should –

• Keep front and back doors locked and windows closed at all times.
• If windows are open keep them on the latch so that they cannot be opened further from outside.
• Fit a door chain and use it whenever you answer the door to an unexpected caller
• Keep side gates locked
• Use a strong lock on sheds, garages and other outbuildings
• Consider fitting outdoor security lighting
• Keep an eye on neighbouring properties and if you see anything suspicious contact police.

If you have information about a burglary contact police on 0845 1 25 35 45. In an emergency always dial 999

Over 1,300 spoken to in rogue trader operation

OVER 1,300 residents were spoken to across Lancashire in a week-long operation to target rogue traders and pushy doorstep sellers.

More than 400 police officers were involved in the operation along with staff from trading standards and other government agencies in the week of activities aimed to target rogue traders and highlight the dangers that consenting to have work carried out by cold callers can bring.

The operation saw increased police patrols in areas where older and vulnerable people live and over 10,000 advice packs distributed between Monday 17 October and Sunday 23 October.

144 businesses were spoken to by officers to remind them of their responsibilities.

In addition 334 vehicles were stopped on roads across the county to check for offences and seven vehicles were seized.

Insp Wendy Bower from Lancashire Constabulary said: “We hope that this operation helped to raise awareness of how residents can work with us to prevent becoming a victim of such crime.

“The results should also send a message to offenders that we are working to tackle the issues and, if we suspect that they are involved such criminality, they will be targeted.

“Crime levels in Lancashire are at an all time low and it is our firm intention to ensure they remain that way. We will continue to do all we can to make it difficult for rogue traders to operate in the county.”

In the past year (1 August 2010 to 30 September 2011), Lancashire Trading Standards received 349 complaints about cold callers including builders, driveways, roofing and bogus charity collectors. 882 complaints were received about bogus sales in the same period.

In addition 456 complaints were received about unwanted unsolicited scam mail and 990 complaints were received about unsolicited scam telephone calls.

County Councillor Albert Atkinson, deputy leader for Lancashire County Council, said: “If people only remember one thing as a result of this campaign it should be not to do business on the doorstep.

“Our Trading Standards Service works year round to protect consumers from unscrupulous doorstep callers and this high-profile week of action only helps to reinforce the message that they’re not welcome in Lancashire.

“The Help Direct service keeps a register of honest and reliable tradesmen so if you’re thinking of having work done they’re a good place to start.”

People should report cases of rogue traders or uninvited doorstep callers to Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06. Help Direct is available on 0303 333 11 11. Anyone with information that would lead to the arrest of any distraction burglar or rogue trader should ring Lancashire Constabulary on 0845 1 25 35 45 or call Crimestoppers, the national charity, anonymously on 0800 555 111. Always dial 999 in an emergency.

Lyndsay Milligan

Community Safety Officer

Western Division

Int: 404076

Ext: 01253 604076

Lyndsay.Milligan@lancashire.pnn.police.uk