The SouthGlos Post

Cold callers are being frozen out in Yate thanks to a new pilot scheme between South Gloucestershire Council and Avon and Somerset Police.

‘No Cold Calling Zones’ have been launched in parts of the town in a bid to help reduce doorstep crime. They have been set up by the Council’s trading standards officers with support from police and local Neighbourhood Watch schemes.

Doorstep crime can range from rogue home improvement firms, to bogus officials and charities.

The first No Cold Calling Zones are being introduced in the Walton Heath and Ferndown areas in Yate.

No Cold Calling Zones are identified by street signs and stickers on the front doors of houses. Residents are provided with advice on how to say ‘no’ to unwanted callers and also encouraged to report callers who ignore the zones to trading standards or the police.

Councillor Heather Goddard, executive member for communities, said: “We are working in close partnership with the police and the local neighbourhood watch to launch the No Cold Calling Zones to help tackle doorstop crime.

“This initiative will expand on the approved trader scheme the council runs, Buy With Confidence, to make it harder for rogue traders to potentially exploit often vulnerable residents with intimidating and unscrupulous tactics.”

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Source: South Gloucestershire Council

Police are warning people to be on their guard against a scam happening in supermarket car parks.

A man is approaching people as they sit in their cars and asking for directions. While they are distracted looking at his map, cash and bank cards are stolen from bags left in the car.

There were two incidents on Tuesday June 15 2010.

One involved a 72-year-old woman whose car was parked in a disabled bay at Morrisons at Cribbs Causeway, while the other involved a 75-year-old woman in the car park at Tesco in Yate.

On both occasions the women were approached by a man described as a tanned white man, aged between 40 and 50, about 5ft 5ins tall, stocky, wearing dark-coloured clothes and a dark-coloured beret and speaking with a foreign accent.

Anyone with any information which could help police enquiries is asked to contact South Gloucestershire police on 0845 456 7000. Alternatively call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police

A new Minor Injuries Unit (MIU) has opened at the Yate West Gate Centre, offering a drop-in service for children and adults to treat a whole range of minor injuries from cuts to sprains, from bites to broken arms.

The Unit, run by NHS South Gloucestershire’s Provider Services Team, is the first dedicated MIU in South Gloucestershire which is open seven days a week, 365 days of the year.

Patients do not need to make an appointment and the new MIU will be open seven days a week: 8.30am – 7.30pm Monday to Friday and 10am – 2pm on Saturday and Sunday.

An on-site digital X-ray facility and physiotherapy unit means that the MIU can diagnose and treat a whole range of injuries including sports injuries, falls, minor burns, broken arms and noses, cuts and sprains.

All patients are seen by an Emergency Nurse Practitioner (ENP) or an Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP) who have a wide experience of dealing with minor injuries and treating children.

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Source: NHS South Gloucestershire

South Gloucestershire Council’s Conservative administration has given the green light to transport schemes designed to improve road safety and beat traffic congestion across the district.

As part of this financial year’s Local Transport Capital Programme, building work will start on the district’s first park and ride facility – a £1.2m scheme at Parkway station.

Already-announced changes to the controversial 2+ lane on the ring road will be completed in an effort to respond to Downend and Emersons Green councillors’ calls for radical action to ease congestion.

And further reducing the number of casualties, which are already at a record low, will be a central aim of this year’s transport programme with a number of road safety schemes planned.

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Source: Conservative Group on South Gloucestershire Council

Police in South Gloucestershire are appealing for information after a 04-plate green Ford Ranger was damaged in the car park of B&Q in Yate.

At around 3.30pm on Wednesday, May 12, the left-side wing mirror and the side panel on the vehicle were damaged.

The victim, a man in his 40s, was involved in an earlier altercation on Station Road, Yate and it’s believed that this could be linked to the damage.

Police are keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed either incident. Anyone with information should contact police in Staple Hill on 0845 456 7000. Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

A 17-year-old man has been arrested and released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Source: Avon and Somerset Police