Sandyford and Goldenhill

Staffordshire Police are supporting the “Ask for Angela” campaign for customer safety in England that started in 2016. It is used by bars and other venues to keep people safe from sexual assault by using a codeword to identify when they are in danger or are in an uncomfortable situation. The campaign aims to help anyone who feels unsafe in night-time venues, including bars, pubs and clubs. Many venues support the scheme. 

They might call security, lead the person to a safe space, or help them leave the premises unnoticed.

This could be on a night out, on a date, meeting friends and other situations. Ask for Angela is needed because :-

97% of women aged 18-24 and 80% of all women said they have been sexually harassed in public spaces in the U K.

54% of women experience sexual harassment in a pub, club or bar. 

One in five LGBT people have experienced a hate crime or incident because of their sexual orientation or gender in the last 12 months. 

When we are at home we are safe and we want to keep you that way, therefore it is important for homes to be physically secure to deter criminal activity and reduce crime. Here are a few simple steps that you can take to ensure that your home stays safe and secure, and reduce the likelihood of you falling victim to a burglary.

Homes Leaflet

1 -The majority of burglaries occur when there is nobody at home; most are not planned but committed by opportunists.

2 -Easily accessible windows, including easily accessible roof lights and roof windows, should also meet Police Preferred Specification standards.

3 -If you have a door connecting the garage to the house make sure this has the same level of security.

4 -Ensure all keys, including car keys, are out of sight and away from the letterbox, as a device could be used to hook keys through the letterbox.

5 -Always keep valuables like tablets and laptops out of sight from windows.

6 -Store any high value items (i.e. jewellery, passports) in a properly secured safe or bank vault.

7 -Make your valuables less attractive to thieves by using a property or police recognised forensic marking solution – this includes for valuable tools and bikes that are stored in outbuildings and garages.

8 -Install a burglar alarm.

9 -In the evening, shut the curtains and leave lights on.

10 -Keep ladders and tools stored away; don’t leave them outside where they could be used to break into your home.

11 -Consider joining or forming a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

12 – Always lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house, even when you’re just out in the garden, remembering to double-lock UPVC doors (lift the handle and turn the key)

RMG’s Iolanda Serrao Cox & Paul Boddington from JLB (Property Maintenance) officially opened Goldenhill Community Centre’s Sensory Garden this morning. RMG & JLB said they were proud to have been involved with the project, which was completed free of charge to the “Just Family” charity.

Other guests at the opening was Malcolm Saul from “The Green Styling Company” who built the sensory garden, Staff from Just Family who operate from the centre, Councillor Laura Carter as well as volunteers from Sandyford & Goldenhill Residents Association.

Guests at the official opening agreed that the purpose of the garden, along with Just Family is to support people with mental health problems, isolation and those with learning disabilities as well as anyone else who feels the need to relax in a tranquil setting”.

A big thank you goes to everyone who has been involved with the project, and it is hoped the garden will benefit many people for a number of years to come.

This is your chance to listen to what candidates standing to be your next Member of Parliament for Stoke on Trent North have to say as well as a controlled question & answer session. Other guest speakers at the meeting will be the police and RMG who are building a sensory garden at the community centre.

Also, you will have the opportunity to win FREE PRIZES – 2 x Churchill China Dinner Sets £150 each, 12 double mug sets RRP £21, 18 bottles of wine donated by One Stop Shop & Libra FMC, 10 McDonald’s Meal Vouchers & 10 x Boxes of Shortbread Biscuits. The bar is also open as well as FREE FOOD at the interval. Look forward to seeing everyone later.