Station Manager Mick Thompson said: “Deliberate fire setting is a criminal activity, tying up valuable resources that may be needed for genuine emergencies, which puts peoples’ lives at risk, wastes money, and in rural areas destroys precious natural habitat. Every year during the spring and summer, Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service sees an increase in rural fires; many of these are started deliberately. Weekly bike patrols are another part of our pro-active strategy to inform and educate on the dangers of arson. Working with our partners from Hampshire County Council and Hampshire Constabulary, they will increase our presence and visibility in areas where we have experienced this problem, and allow us to interact with other forest users to help deliver this community safety message that arson is a dangerous, anti-social and illegal activity.”

ACSO Team Leader Dean Birch said: “It is hoped that this multi-agency approach will, with the assistance and support of the law abiding users of the forest, contribute to drastically reducing what has become an annual issue. It is difficult to measure reassurance, but residents should be reassured that the community safety partnership will do all it can to robustly deal with the perpetrators of these offences. This pro-active approach can hopefully reduce what alternatively is a very costly reactive response when a deliberate fire is set.”

Inspector Alex Reading of Hampshire Constabulary added: “Fire setting in the New Forest is an annual problem for us. We already work with the local community and partners to try to educate people about the dangers of deliberately starting fires, the risk it poses to wildlife, and the damage it causes to the countryside. This is an exciting new approach to the problem from Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, in conjunction with the Accredited Community Support Officer team, which your local neighbourhood police officers fully support and will assist with. If you know who is deliberately starting fires then please let us know. Please help us to protect the beautiful area in which you all live and work. In an emergency dial 999 or for non emergency dial 101.”

Manufacturers have worked over the past few years to reduce the amount of packaging around Easter eggs and to make more from recycled materials. Look out for chocolate eggs with less packaging at the shops – and don’t forget to take your bag for life with you!

New Forest District Council’s portfolio holder for recycling, Councillor Edward Heron, said: “Residents can do their bit by recycling their cardboard egg boxes and Easter cards along with paper, cans and plastic bottles in the clear recycling sack.”

The recycling collected through the clear sack scheme is sorted in Hampshire and then sent to reprocessors to be turned into something new.

The plastic packaging around Easter eggs is not currently recyclable in Hampshire. Residents should put these in their black sack so they can be sent to an Energy Recovery Facility, where they will be burnt to generate electricity.

If you’re having a big family lunch over the Easter holiday, you can find lots of inspirational ideas for using up leftovers at lovefoodhatewaste.com as well as top tips on portion sizes and saving money.

Hampshire police want to hear from anybody who sees suspicious activity around vehicles following a spate of diesel thefts.

Fuel was taken from vehicles parked in Hythe, Holbury and Marchwood earlier this month. Some vehicles were also left damaged.

With fuel prices rising at the pumps, thieves may be more inclined to steal from fuel tanks.

Hythe Safer Neighbourhood Team is investigating the recent offences. Sgt Simon Flint reminds all vehicle owners to report any suspicious behaviour.

Police officers have also recently investigated a number of thefts where vehicles have been left unlocked.

The Safer New Forest Partnership urges owners to remove all valuable items – including coats, bags, sat navs, CDs, mobiles and laptops – from parked vehicles and to lock their vehicles securely.

Sgt Flint said: “Please lock your vehicles and don’t leave property on display, even in your own driveway – don’t give anyone an excuse to break in. By ‘designing out’ the crime you reduce the risk of becoming a victim.”

A bright yellow Hampshire Constabulary notice is available which can be displayed in vehicles stating: ‘No valuables have been left in this vehicle.’ They are available free of charge from a New Forest District Council Information Centre or by contacting Stephanie Bennett at Safer New Forest, New Forest District Council, Appletree Court, Lyndhurst.  SO43 7PA.

Tel. 02380 285588 or email stephanie.bennett@nfdc.gov.uk

Log on to www.communitysafety.newforest.gov.uk and find out what is being done to make your community a safer place for everyone

He was arrested by officers in Cutbush Lane, Southampton on suspicion of aggravated burglary and possession of a firearm and is currently being questioned by officers.

As part of their investigation officers also executed warrants at two addresses in Kingsdown Way.

One man has already been charged as part of the investigation into the incident which happened on Wednesday, February 22.

Matthew Harfield, 34, of no fixed abode, was charged with aggravated burglary and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence and is next due to appear in court at Winchester Crown Court on April 26.

A great new poster competition has been launched with the aim of putting the brakes on cycle theft.

School children of all ages are invited to design an eye-catching poster with a punchy slogan which will be printed and used locally to raise awareness of bike crime and how to keep your bike secure.

The cycle theft prevention poster competition has great prizes to be won – with Amazon gift vouchers and good quality bike locks on offer, funded by the Safer New Forest Partnership and Hampshire County Council.

The competition is open to under-18s, and will be judged in three categories – under-10, under-14 and 14 to18.

The young winners will receive their prizes from New Forest Chief Inspector Lucy Hutson and the overall winning design will be printed and displayed throughout the New Forest.

Entries can be submitted at your local library or at any of the NFDC information centres or by email, sent as an attachment, to acso.western@hants.gov.uk

Don’t forget to give your name, age, date of birth, address, telephone number and school (if applicable) when submitting your entry, so you can be contacted if you win. Unfortunately, we will be unable to return any entries.

The closing date for entries is 8 April 2012.

The Safer New Forest Partnership is supporting the competition. Cllr Jill Cleary, NFDC portfolio holder for Housing and Communities, said: “I hope this competition captures the imagination and we get plenty of inspiring posters. The winning one will be seen around the New Forest district and play an important role in reminding people to look after their bikes securely and help prevent thieves striking.”

But a steadying hand is on offer in the New Forest where special exercise classes are being held for vulnerable people.

New Forest District Council, in partnership with GetFit121, NFDC health and leisure instructors and Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust’s Falls Prevention Coordinator, has introduced community postural stability training for older people who are unsteady on their feet.

The exercises aim to improve balance and boost confidence in carrying out daily routines.

They will also provide opportunities for social interaction and reduce the risk of falls and injury.

Comments from the older people attending classes include:

“An excellent set of exercises which work in well with those given me by my physiotherapist.”

“I find it a little easier to get in and out of the bath now. I find I often walk around my flat without a stick and don’t miss it.”

The classes, which cost £2.50, are held at:

Barfields, Lymington, on Wednesdays, at 10am and 11am
Quaker Court, Ringwood, Thursdays, 10am and 11am
Riverside Court, Fordingbridge, Tuesdays, 1.30pm
West Totton Centre, Totton, Mondays, 2pm
Hythe Medical Centre, Mondays, 10.30am
Homeford House, Brockenhurst, Fridays, 11.45am (from 9 March)
Milford Hospital on Wednesdays at 10.45am (from 7 March)

To find out more, call Gilly Ostler for the above classes on 0781 7233 707

There are also classes held at Lymington Health and Leisure Centre, Pennington, on Thursdays at 1.45pm. Call Tony Winslow, for this class, on 0845 659 0845.

The classes combine a range of mobility, resistance and flexibility exercises in a fun and sociable atmosphere to help older people keep fit and reduce the risk of falls.

NFDC portfolio holder for Health and Leisure, Cllr Di Brooks, commented:

“Evidence shows that specific targeted exercise which increases muscle strength and improves balance and coordination can reduce falls and injuries for older people.
“These classes are working really well and are a great opportunity to meet other people, improve mobility and confidence and, above all, to have fun!”

Hampshire County Council’s Older Person’s Wellbeing Team run the ‘Better Balance for Life’ course, which includes exercises that older people can do in their own homes or as part of a small group to enable them to stay active.

As part of this initiative, Hampshire County Council is also offering free training workshops for people who work with community groups and volunteers to organise simple exercise sessions.

There will a training session, funded and supported by New Forest District Council, at Fenwick2 Health and Wellbeing Centre in Lyndhurst on 26 March, at 2pm.

To request a booking form or more information contact Sophie Jevons on sophie.jevons@hants.gov.uk or call 01962 846605.

A man has been charged as part of an investigation into an incident at a house in Testwood Lane, Totton, on Wednesday, February 22.

Matthew Harfield, 34, of no fixed abode, has been charged with aggravated burglary and possession of a firearm with intent to cause fear of violence. He will appear at Southampton Magistrates Court this morning (February 27).

A 48-year-old man who was arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary has been released on bail, to return on May 1.

Officers investigating a report of an armed robbery at a property in Testwood Lane, Totton, are appealing for information from local residents.

Between 9am and 9.45am this morning (Wednesday, February 22), two men wearing fluorescent jackets knocked at the door of the house. A woman answered and the men forced their way inside. They searched the property and left with cash.

Initial enquiries indicate that the woman may have seen one of the men holding a handgun.

The 35-year-old woman sustained a cut to her lip during the incident and was very shaken up. She has been taken to Southampton General Hospital.

There was a young child at the address who was unharmed.

Detective Inspector Fiona Bitters said, “This is a very rare incident in this area and we have a number of officers carrying out enquiries. We are trying to piece together the offender’s movements and would like to hear from anyone in Testwood Lane who has CCTV installed at their house or business premises, or anyone who may have seen anything suspicious either this morning or in the last few days.

“We are keen to identify a white transit van that was seen near the address around the time of the incident, and was heading towards Salisbury Road.

“I’d like to reassure local residents that though we are still in the early stages of this investigation we are taking this very seriously and have committed a number of resources to identifying the men responsible as quickly as possible.”

Anyone with any information should call Southampton Central police station on 101 or call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Help police cut out cable crime

New Forest residents are urged to be vigilant in their neighbourhood in a bid to crack down on cable crime.

Cable thieves are duping the public by marking their vans with BT logos and wearing high-visibility jackets while they carry out ‘essential work’ in local streets on cables both above and below ground.

But by cutting out lengths of cable, for the lucrative copper wiring, the thieves cause misery and inconvenience to communities – they cut off phone, TV and broadband connections for days while repairs are made.

The Safer New Forest Partnership, Hampshire Police and British Telecom have issued a clear message – if you see activity around BT equipment and you want reassurance that it is genuine – call 0800 321999 at once.

New Forest District Council portfolio holder for housing and communities, Cllr Jill Cleary said: “The extent of disruption caused by cable thieves is massive. These thefts are committed every week, all around the UK including the New Forest, and it not only affects BT communications but also hundreds of other communications providers who use the network.

“I urge local residents and workers to be vigilant when they are out and about and if they see any unexpected workmen ‘checking’ BT boxes or working on cable ‘repairs’, please call the free BT hotline number to check it out.”

While thieves often take steps to disguise themselves as authentic workmen, keep a look out for suspicious activity, such as:

• Unknown vans and the arrival of unexpected workmen.
• Any work involving cables in streets and on roads, even if workmen are wearing hi-visibility jackets and their vehicles are marked with a BT logo.
• Little or no traffic safety measures, e.g. use of cones, temporary traffic lights.
• Work taking place outside normal hours.
• Removed or disturbed cable box covers. This may indicate an area that thieves have investigated and intend to return to and steal cables.
• Unusual storage of large quantities of cut lengths of cable and/or twisted copper wiring.
• Palls of black smoke to indicate burning activity taking place.
• Unusual movements of 4×4 or commercial vehicles in your community.

Also being targeted are energy networks, such as the theft of electricity cables, and railway cabling – these attacks are not only disruptive, but potentially deadly to the thieves who take high risks in the process.

New Forest Chief Inspector Lucy Hutson, said: “Cable theft is a huge problem nationally and here in the New Forest, it is vital that we report any incidents immediately. If you spot any suspicious activity, call the police at once on 999 with as much information as possible – take a note of vehicle registration numbers and try to give a description of the workmen, but do not approach them yourself.”

Alternatively, residents can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 with information relating to stolen cable. A £1000 reward is offered for a tip-off that leads to a conviction.

Information about the work of the Safer New Forest Partnership can be found on www.communitysafety.newforest.gov.uk or contact Community Safety co-ordinator Stephanie Bennett on 023 8028 5588, email stephanie.bennett@nfdc.gov.uk

Gym gets Mandy walking tall this Christmas

This Christmas, Mandy Ackrill has the best present she could wish for – she has sold her wheelchair and is able to chase her three-year-old grandson Connor around the house.

Last Christmas, it was a very different story. The 44-year-old mum-of-five from Totton was disabled, overweight, unconfident and suffering from a painful and debilitating illness which left her with dislocated joints.

Shortly after that, she joined Totton Health and Leisure centre and was taken under the wing of gym instructor and nutrition advisor Lee Rich.

He said: “When Mandy first came to me for personal training she turned up on a mobility scooter and used a wheelchair most of the time. She was overweight and very unhappy with her body image.

“We settled her into a gym environment and took a step-by-step approach to achieve her goals. We first just introduced gentle cardio-vascular exercise and a range of motion resistance work to improve her body’s muscle memory and we built up from there.”

Slowly and surely with regular supervised training, Mandy toned up, lost weight and became so fit and confident that she was able to swap her mobility scooter for a bike, sell her wheelchair and stop taking her medications.

“Lee has really given me my life back”, said Mandy. “My clothes size has dropped from a size 18 to size 8/10, I feel so confident, younger, really cheerful and inspired.”

Mandy has been ill since childhood and has had several operations since her teen years. She has been treated for hyper mobility syndrome which left her so disabled that she could only walk outside of home for short distances with a leg brace or walking stick. She suffered from high blood pressure and high cholesterol as a result and was eventually referred to Southampton General Hospital for hydrotherapy. When she was unable to swim because of an ear infection, she decided to try some gym exercise.

“I’d always wanted to body build, but thought it was an impossible dream,” she said. Within weeks of joining Totton Health and Leisure, Lee got Mandy to try light weights – now she is doing squats with 60kg weights and she is toning up with a bodybuilders’ physique.

“One day I’d like to compete as a powerlifter,” she says.

Mandy trains at Totton Health and Leisure most days and says that everybody there has been really supportive – she has made friends with staff and other centre users and always leaves with a smile.

Lee said: “Working with Mandy has been a real joy. She is passionate, committed, dedicated and despite setbacks, injuries and bad days, she has fought on. I may have given her the knowledge and tools, but it is Mandy who has done all the hard work!”

New Forest District Council’s portfolio holder for health and leisure, Cllr Di Brooks, added: “I’m delighted that Mandy has made such a remarkable progress to good health and mobility with the support of Lee and other members of staff at Totton Health and Leisure. I hope her example will encourage others to get fit and try new activities in the new year.”

But not only has Mandy got her health and mobility back – she has also landed a job at the centre now as a cleaning supervisor, work which she was unable to even consider when she was so disabled.

Mandy has also been greatly supported by her husband Mike, who first encouraged her to go to the centre, paid for her membership and has even built her a mini gym at home. Her five children, Charlotte, 22, Vicky, 20, Hannah 18, Shannon 17 and Jordan 15, have been great, she says, and are delighted to see their mum so fit and happy now.

It will be a happy family Christmas for them all, not least for little Connor who is sure to keep nana on her toes!