Archive for category: News

Dear Resident,

We know this is a difficult and worrying time for everyone, but particularly those living with domestic abuse. A change in routine and the current advice to stay at home can put added strain on any relationship, but we want to send a clear message that you do not have to suffer in silence and there is never an excuse for abuse.

We want you to know that support remains available during these challenging times and we in the police, alongside a whole host of partners, are here to help.

We appreciate that living in an abusive relationship whilst in lockdown can make you feel as though your voice can’t be heard and picking up the phone to us can be even more difficult than usual. But there are still ways to speak out:

Here’s how you can contact us
• In an emergency, always dial 999 but if you are in danger and are unable to speak on the phone, call 999 and then press 55. You will be transferred to a call handler who will attempt to ask you simple yes or no questions. If you can’t speak at all, listen carefully to the questions and instructions of the call handler so they can assess and arrange help. More information on this service can be found here.
• You can speak to us live for advice any time via our online webchat service here.
• You can report domestic abuse on our website here.
• If you want to make an online report without being seen, our website has a permanent red ‘quick exit’ button at the top of the page which takes you to a weather forecast website. Information on how to hide or delete your online reporting history can be found here.
Family, friends and neighbours
Many people living with abuse may not feel able to report crime to us and that’s how other members of the community can assist. Please help us protect residents by listening out for suspicious behaviour or noises and reporting any concerns you have about neighbours, friends or family members who may be suffering in silence. We want to be there for the people of Cambridgeshire now more than ever and we can all work together to tackle abuse and safeguard those who need us the most. So please do report any worries to us using any of the above methods.

Setting ‘code words’ with family and friends can also be an important option during these times. It may not be easy for victims to call police but if an arranged safe word or phrase is in place like “did I leave my scarf at yours?”, can let the other person know that they need help.

We would also urge neighbours to stay in touch regularly, either over the garden fence or through the window, and for victims to inform them of their situation. You could arrange so that if something in particular is put in the window, like a vase or a book, it could be a visual sign that they need help.

Speak to other partners
If you do not wish to speak to police direct, there are plenty of charities and organisations who are also on hand to listen and help safeguard you.
• National Domestic Abuse Helpline – 08082000247
• National Stalking Helpline – 08088020300
• Cambridge Women’s Aid – 01223 460947
• Fenland, Huntingdonshire and Peterborough Refuge – 07787255821
• LGBT Domestic Abuse Helpline – 08009995428
• Honour Based Abuse Helpline – 08005999247

Worried you might do something you don’t want to do
We understand that these unprecedented times can lead to financial and mental and physical health worries. Arguments can get heated and there’s no longer the opportunity to leave the house and cool off by socialising with friends and family.
For tips on how to relax and get away to avoid doing something you don’t want to, visit
• www.safelives.org.uk/news-views/domestic-abuse-and-covid-19
• www.respectphoneline.org.uk/help-for-perpetrators/
You can also visit our website any time for more advice and support on the signs, tackling and living with domestic abuse.

We hope you find this useful. Please remember that we are here for you, you are not alone and we want you to help us to help you stay safe.

Thank you.

Message Sent By
Laura Wilson (Police, Corporate communications, HQ)

Dear Members of the Harston Public,

Currently, the Harston Recreation Centre is open to the public but the Playpark within the Recreation Centre is closed.
The background to this situation is that the Government has decreed all playparks are to be closed. Harston Parish Council is obliged to obey this instruction. But we decided to keep the Recreation Centre itself open because it is a popular location for exercise including dog walking. This decision was based on our own experience and judgement and on advice from the Police.
The Playpark has notices, which state clearly that it is closed. Please respect this closure and do not permit your children to enter it.
Within the Recreation Centre, the normal Covid-19 rule of a minimum of two metres between persons applies.

Niall O’Byrne,
Chair Harston Parish Council.

In line with Public Health England advice Harston Surgery needs to change the way it cares for patients over the coming months.

Reducing the chance of circulating the virus is important for patients, staff, and the NHS and UK as a whole. The infection (and death) rates we are seeing today are a reflection of policy and practices that were in place over a week ago. We all need to tighten up.

Aims;
1. Remote by default
2. Reduce footfall to the practice to protect patients and staff alike
3. Establish a sustainable model of working now that will see us through the next few months

As of Monday 16 March we will be triaging all calls and requests for appointments. Please bear with us as a different way of working evolves.

For any administrative queries or non urgent requests please use email if possible. admin.harston@nhs.net

For more urgent requests then call the surgery as usual but please be prepared to leave contact details on which we can reliably reach you and expect a call back.

We will be using much more communication by SMS (text message) and video calling so it is essential that you keep your mobile phone and email details up to date. Please email your details or use the link at the bottom of the home page.

Without exception, anyone with a high fever or new dry cough MUST NOT enter the building. Please do not attend the surgery without contacting us in advance unless you are dealing directly with the dispensary .

Please keep an eye on our website for any further changes we need to make.

We will be continuing to see patients that need to be seen!

The Charity ‘Schoolreaders’ seeks to improve literacy and thereby life chances by providing volunteers to listen primary aged children read on a one to one basis.
It is a free service to both schools and volunteers.
We get very positive feedback from schools, volunteers and children alike.
The website gives further details
http://www.schoolreaders.org

Listen To Children Read | United Kingdom | Schoolreaders
Schoolreaders is a charity that matches volunteers to UK primary schools where they give free one-to-one reading support to children
www.schoolreaders.org