Responsible owners are being asked to help stamp out dog fouling in Darlington.

Darlington Borough Council has launched a new campaign called Dish The Dirt, encouraging residents to report people who persistently allow their dogs foul in public places.

The Council’s Uniformed Wardens can only fine dog owners if they see an offence being committed and so they are asking residents to give them tip-offs of where dog fouling is happening.

A hotline and e-mail address have been set up so people can report details, including location, time and a description, of anyone who fails to clean up after their dog.
The Council’s Uniformed Wardens will use the information, which can be given anonymously, to try to catch and fine irresponsible dog owners.

Posters advertising the hotline and e-mail address are being put on dog bins around the Borough and wardens will hand out information cards to dog walkers and other people they meet.

People failing to clean up after their dog can be given an on-the-spot fine of £50.

Dish the dirt on dog fouling... Tel; 01325 346 831

Residents contacted me about the corner of North Road and Longfield Road and asked if there was anything that I could to improve its overall appearance. They said there’s an up-turned curb, dented railings and that the bollards had seen better days.

I contacted Council officers and the very same day the up-turned curb was fixed… they were that quick the job was sorted even before I had time to capture it in the photo to the left!

Additionally the bollard shell is to be replaced immediately as this has clearly been severely damaged and a large hole has been torn in the shell.

And the Highways Inspector called out to inspect the barrier and he tells me that he has already placed an order to replace two sections of the barrier rail, which although damaged, is quite safe for the moment.

Good news all-round!

Are you free on Wednesday May 21 2008?

Does the thought of watching two English teams compete for the European Football Trophy leave you wondering what to do on the evening of 21 May 2008?  If so, would you be interested in volunteering to play the role of a survivor of an air crash.

Durham Tees Valley Airport is running a major exercise on the evening of 21 May to test its ability to respond to a major incident.  Darlington Borough Council and other agencies, such as the Police and Fire Service, will be involved and volunteers are being sought to play the role of survivors. 

If you are interested you would need to be available from 5pm - 9pm.  You would have to go "Air Side" at the Airport and would therefore need to have ID with you:
*  10 year passport, or
*  Photo driving licence (both parts)
*  Plus second ID

As a volunteer, your role would be to play the part of a survivor and you would be interviewed and processed by the Police before being reunited with a second set of volunteers playing friends and family.  If you wish to embellish your role you can act the part (however fake blood will not be distributed!).

Transport to the airport would be your own responsibility and volunteers need to be physically mobile to take part in the exercise.

If you are interested in taking part please respond to this email before 9.30am Friday May 2nd, quoting a telephone number that you can be contacted on to receive further information.
 
Jacqui Snowball
Community Liaison Officer
Darlington Police - Community Safety Partnership
Tel: 01325 346832
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Lambs, early flowers and rain making the grass grow but keeping the ground too wet to use the lawnmower?

To a thief, year in year out it means the same old routine, looking for opportunities to steal from sheds and garages, as the weather improves and gardens start to grow there is always someone on the lookout for a lawnmower, strimmer or other power tools, unfortunately not everyone acquires these legally. 

To avoid falling victim to shed and garage burglary please follow some simple steps...
Make sure your shed is in good condition after the winter months.

Consider installing a strong grille or heavy wire mesh around any windows to increase security.

Fit a quality lock, such as a closed shackle padlock, and bolt the fittings including the hinges to the door with a steel panel fitted on the inside of the door.

Fit an energy-efficient dusk to dawn light. to light up the area around sheds and garages.

Postcode items that you store in the shed and keep a record of any serial numbers.

Visibly mark property whenever possible using a permanent marker pen or even boldly paint on your post-code.

Make sure the shed is always locked and that any garden tools are put away safely inside., items such as spades may be used to lever open windows of your home.

Use a heavy duty chain to secure valuable items within a shed to make sure they are protected so thieves can't get them away even if they do manage to break in.

Have you noticed any suspicious activity which may be connected with the following crimes?
If so please do not hesitate to bring this information to the attention of local Police on 0845 60 60 365 stating that you are responding to a Neighbourhood Watch message.

Alternatively information can be passed to CRIMESTOPPERS on 0800 555 111 or to;
Jacqui Snowball
Community Liaison Officer
Darlington Police - Community Safety Partnership
Tel: 01325 346832
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it