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A campaign to raise awareness in the North East about protecting vulnerable people from abuse and harm is returning for its fourth year.  SAFE week, which will take place between June 5 and June 11 this year, has previously raised awareness of protecting vulnerable adults, but this year’s campaign will also focus on safeguarding children.   The broader scope of the campaign is reflected in the new campaign name – Safeguarding Awareness For Everyone (SAFE) week.   To mark SAFE week, activities will be delivered in three local authority areas: North Tyneside, Newcastle and Northumberland.   Key landmarks around the region will be lit up purple in honour of SAFE week, including St Mary’s Lighthouse, in North Tyneside and Newcastle’s Tyne Bridge.      There will also be white flags raised outside buildings across the local authority areas to highlight issues around domestic abuse. Cllr Carole Burdis, North Tyneside Council’s cabinet member for community safety, said: “Everyone deserves to live their life free from harm and abuse but sadly that isn’t always the case.   “Events like SAFE week are a great way for us to highlight this issue and let people know that it is okay to speak up. We have a great range of support across our region and they can help you get through any problems you may have.”   As the lead organisation in safeguarding adults and young people at risk of harm, North Tyneside Council organises SAFE week in conjunction with multi-agency partners from health, police, Newcastle and Northumberland local authorities, as well as a range of voluntary and private providers.   Veronica Jones, Cabinet Member for Safeguarding at Northumberland County Council said: "We are proud to support SAFE week and raise awareness regarding the messages and support available for anyone who is or knows someone affected by these issues.    "Safeguarding is everybody's responsibility and the events throughout SAFE week and beyond highlight the important role we can all play to promote safety."    Chief Inspector Steve Hails from Northumbria Police's Safeguarding Department, said: "We are pleased to support our partners in helping to keep people safe in Northumbria.   "Victims are our absolute priority and we are working with some fantastic organisations and partners to be able to provide a full wrap-around of support for those who have been affected by abuse.   "We would encourage anyone who has been a victim of domestic or sexual abuse - recently or in the past - to come forward and report it to police. Our specialist safeguarding officers are here to support victims and each case is treated in a highly confidential and sensitive way, with the welfare and safety of the victim being of paramount importance.   "We want to stress that everyone has a part to play in tackling abuse and we would ask if you witnesses something that doesn't feel right with an adult or child, please report it to police. Safeguarding really is everyone's business."   Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird DBE QC, said: “People of all ages often don’t realise when they are vulnerable and they can get into situations through no fault of their own.  Northumbria Police has a duty to look after them, whatever the circumstance, and working with partners and ensuring our officers are doing everything they can to protect vulnerable people is a top priority of mine. I congratulate this campaign, which is highlighting some very important issues such as domestic abuse and sexual exploitation, and I give it my full support.”   Abuse can take many forms, including physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, institutional, discriminatory and neglect. Signs of abuse may include: Multiple bruising or finger marks Injuries which cannot be properly explained Deterioration of health for no apparent reason Loss of weight Inappropriate or inadequate clothing Withdrawal of changes in usual behaviour An unwillingness to be alone with a particular carer Unexplained shortage of money
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Polling stations will be  open  on Thursday  8 June across Northumberland  for the UK Parliamentary General Election.

The polling stations will be open from 7am - 10pm at 228  community venues across the county so if you are eligible to vote, make sure you go along and cast your vote - it can really make a difference.

Over recent weeks, polling cards have been sent to residents through the post informing them  of their elector number and their local polling station. While it is helpful if the card  is brought along when residents vote,  it is  not essential, so if you’ve mislaid it, you can still vote, as long as you are registered and eligible.

Will Booth, elections manager at Northumberland County Council said:

“  By casting your vote you will be helping to decide  how the UK is run.  Voting enables you to help decide who represents your local area in parliament and it is  their job to raise local issues and support you as much as they can. ”



 
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With just a few days to go until the UK Parliamentary General Election, postal voters are being  urged  to return their ballot papers.

Northumberland County Council elections manager, Will Booth said:

“ We all lead busy lives and it is easy  to put your vote to one side and forget to return it. If you are voting by post, please post your vote back to us as soon as you can.

“ There are around 55,000 postal voters across the county and around 90 per cent of these will use their vote. Each pack returned goes through a vigorous checking process to ensure the system is absolutely secure. Prompt return is an enormous help to our election team who check each returned postal ballot pack separately.”

If you do think you might have left it too late, and your vote won't arrive in time if you post it, don’t panic. You  can take your postal vote to a  polling station in the constituency in which you live,  on the day of the election, right up until the time when polling closes at 10pm. Please treat this as a last resort.

If you have registered to vote by post and have not yet  received your postal vote  you should immediately contact  Northumberland County Council’s election team  on 01670 624811 or email elections@northumberland.gov.uk
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This is an update in connection with an incident where chemicals were recovered from a property in Ashington.
On Wednesday, May 31, police received a report of a male with a suspected firearm at an address in Chestnut Street, Ashington.
Officers attended the address and following a search of the premises a quantity of chemicals, paraffin and paraphernalia were recovered. No firearm was found at the address.
A 43-year-old man was arrested and tests are ongoing in relation to the chemicals recovered.
Today Police have charged William John Rae, 43, of Chestnut Street, Ashington with offences relating to explosive substances.
He has been remanded in custody and will appear at South East Magistrates' Court in Bedlington on Monday, June 5.
Chief Superintendent Sharon Scott, of Northumbria Police, said "Extra officers have been in the area to carry out a number of inquiries and residents are thanked for their patience.
"A number of materials were found at the address but we want to reassure the public that this is very much an isolated incident.
"We understand that an arrest of this nature may cause people some concern but we do not believe that there is any risk to the public.
"We always encourage people to report suspicious behaviour and anyone who has any concerns can call police on 101."
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Northumberland County Council’s Trading Standards service is warning residents of a new recall on tumble dryers, this time of those sold under the trade names Beko and Blomberg.

The company’s safety alert relates to their 8kg and 9kg condenser tumble dryers, that were manufactured between May and November 2012.

This has come about following concerns raised during their monitoring of their products, which found it could lead to overheating and the risk of fire. The affected models are: DCU9330W, DCU9330R, DCU8230, DSC85W, TKF8439A.

Beko is requesting that owners contact them so that a free modification, if required, can be carried out. The check is free of charge and carried out in the home, and affected products will be modified to remove any potential risk.  

Paul Hedley, Chief Fire Officer, said: “The safety of Northumberland’s residents  is our priority and action should be taken swiftly to check these goods to ensure lives are not put at risk.

“We would always advise the public to check their electrical appliances if safety concerns arise. It is vital that users regularly check and clean their tumble dryers and carefully follow safety guidelines to reduce the risk of a fire.”

Councillor John Riddle, Cabinet Member for Planning, Housing, Public Protection and Fire, added: “Residents need to make sure that they check to see if their tumble dryer is one of the affected ones and take the necessary steps to keep themselves, their families and their homes safe.”  

Owners can check whether their product is one of those affected at http://www.beko.co.uk/safety and https://www.beko.co.uk/dryerrepair#!/check/precheck

Alternatively, owners can call 0800 917 2018 to speak to a member of Beko’s customer service team.
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Private letting agents are being invited to a forum next week to share best practice and get an update on any industry changes.

The North of Tyne Managing Agent Event is a joint event between Northumberland County Council, North Tyneside Council and Newcastle City Council, together with the National Landlords Association.

Following the success of the first such event last year, when more than 100 agents attended, this year’s forum will be held at the Holiday Inn, Seaton Burn, on Wed June 7th.

It is an opportunity for letting agents to hear what services are on offer from their local council, as well as hearing from industry leaders.

Guest speakers from organisations such as the Association of Residential Letting Agents, My Deposits and Northumbrian Water will be giving updates on everything from tax changes to dealing with disputes and adjudicators.

Philip Soderquest, Head of Housing at Northumberland County Council, said: “We have decided to once again run this event, following the success of last year.

“It is a key date for letting agents from across the county and will give them essential industry information, as well as allowing them the opportunity to meet up with other agents.”

The event is free, but booking is essential and can be done through Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.co.uk putting North of Tyne Managing Agent Event into the search box. Or email privatesectorhousing@northumberland.gov.uk with your name and address, or calling the team on (01670) 623073.    


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