Milwich Parish Website

Just a reminder that the emptying of brown bins has been suspended during the crisis. I noticed a lot of brown bins out today but unfortunately they will not be emptied.

Criminals are using the Covid-19 pandemic to try and scam the public – please don’t become a victim. 
Law enforcement, government and private sectors partners are working together to encourage members of the public to be more vigilant against fraud, particularly about sharing their financial and personal information, as criminals seek to capitalise on the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Action Fraud have already received over 200 reports of coronavirus-themed phishing emails containing links and attachments attempting to trick people into divulging personal information including financial information including banking details, email logins, passwords, etc. Some examples include emails from HMRC offering a tax refund, assistance with funding in the absence of school meals, fraudulent news letters and others.

Always remember:
Stop: Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe.
Challenge: Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
Protect: Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud.

For further information and advice please visit the Action fraud website.

#StaySafe

Message Sent By
Sarah Fordham (Police, PCSO, Stafford Borough, Stone Local Policing Team)

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There been some confusion around whether people can visit and exercise in the Staffordshire countryside, including Barlaston Downs and other country parks.

We are asking people not to visit these areas and to stay close to home to exercise once a day and at least 2m apart from people outside of your household as per the government guidelines on social distancing.

We understand that there small numbers of local people who live within these immediate areas who may continue to walk dogs and exercise, but cars should only be used for essential journeys and not to travel somewhere to exercise. It is important that groups of people avoid congregating at areas such as car parks or popular beauty spots as it is impossible to stay more than 2m apart from others which is critical to stop the spread of the virus.

We all need to work together to prevent the spread of Covid-19, protect the NHS and save lives. Thank you for your support in staying at home and avoiding unnecessary travel. 

The beautiful Staffordshire countryside will still be there in a few weeks for us all to enjoy 🙂

#StayHomeStaySafe

Message Sent By
Sarah Fordham (Police, PCSO, Stafford Borough, Stone Local Policing Team)

Extremely-vulnerable residents in Staffordshire are being urged to register for help if they need it.

An estimated 20,000 extremely-vulnerable residents in Staffordshire, such as those who have had organ transplants or some cancers, have received letters this week from the NHS telling them not to leave home for at least 12 weeks and still stay at least two metres away from other people within the home. 

Those who feel they don’t have access to support from family, friends, or the community during that isolation should contact the NHS to make sure they receive help.

Alan White, Deputy Leader of Staffordshire County Council and cabinet member for Health, Care and Wellbeing, said: “Staffordshire County Council’s priority remains to keep the vulnerable adults and children in our communities safe in the coming weeks and people’s lives depend on following the right advice.

“Many of the extremely-vulnerable in Staffordshire will have someone able to help them by collecting shopping and medicines, but some won’t have and it’s essential they follow the advice in the letter and contact the NHS online or by phone.”

Further details of who the extremely-vulnerable are and what they need to do are available on the Department of Health website here. If someone is not online, hasn’t received a letter and thinks they have an underlying health condition which makes them extremely-vulnerable, they should contact their GP.

As well as the extremely-vulnerable there are another 150,000 Staffordshire residents who are also more liable to complications from coronavirus due to older age or other underlying health conditions. They are being urged to stay at home and minimise direct contact with family and friends. 

To help tackle the growing crisis council staff will be deployed to new roles to ensure support for front line care services is maintained – and more than 650 have already signed up.

The authority is also promoting its Coronavirus Kindness campaign – offering ideas how communities can organise at a grassroots level to do practical things such as collect medicines, connect safely with people living alone and support existing local voluntary groups.

More information is available at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronaviruskindness .

Alan White added: “We are all working together for the common good and the response of Staffordshire residents has been fantastic.

“But remember it’s essential we to follow the advice on hand washing and social distancing.”

As the elderly and vulnerable self-isolate, they can be at an increased risk of falling victim to scammers.
Theres been reports in the UK of people offering a shopping service for isolated people where they take payment in advance and then never return with the goods.
Please be vigilant to this and only give money to people you know and trust such as family and close friends.
To report fraud or to find more prevention tips visit www.actionfraud.police.uk  or call 0300 123 2040.

Take care and keep safe.

Message Sent By
Lydia Hooley (Police, Officer, Staffordshire)

Coronavirus Update

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The government has announced that everyone must now stay at home, except in exceptional circumstances.
❌ Please DO NOT call 101 or send us private message for general advice or questions on staying at home.
📞 We need to make sure now, more than ever, that our phonelines are free to take calls from people in an emergency who really need our help.
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👨🏻‍💻 If you need to report a non-urgent incident please visit our website https://www.staffordshire.police.uk/ro/report/
🏡 If you are unsure on any of the new guidance for staying at home, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus  for updates.

Take care and keep safe.

Message Sent By
Lydia Hooley (Police, Officer, Staffordshire)