Bracknell

Police in Bracknell investigating an assault occasioning actual bodily harm are appealing for witnesses and information.

At around 10.40pm on Friday (20/8), a 16-year-old girl was walking down Shepherds Lane, Garth, Bracknell just pass the Prince of Wales public house, when she was assaulted.

The girl was approached by a man who asked a question and then punched her in the face shortly afterwards, causing her nose to bleed. A passer-by intervened and the victim left the scene of the incident.

The Bracknell offender is white, scrawny looking and of slim build. He is aged between 30 and 35, approximately 5ft 9ins, with stubble. He wore dark bottoms, with a dark zip-up fleece. He has dark eyes and dark coloured messy looking hair which is approximately 2” long. He spoke with a local accent.

Bracknell Police are keen to track down the passer-by who stopped and intervened, helping the victim to move away from the offender. The only description officers have of this man at this time is that he spoke in a deep voice and wore white Nike trainers.

If you are this good Samaritan or if you have any information which may assist Bracknell police, please contact Priestwood and Garth’s neighbourhood policing officer PC Mike Parker via the 24-hour police enquiry centre on 0845 8 505 505. Those who do not wish to speak to police or leave their name should call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Bracknell Forest’s first citizen will be talking about his duties as Mayor of the borough as well as highlighting the seriousness of prostate cancer at a meeting of the Rotary Club of Easthampstead.

Cllr Ian Leake will be guest of honour at the Bracknell club’s meeting on Monday, August 23, where he will be talking to members about what being the borough’s first citizen is all about, what roles and what responsibilities it entails.

Cllr Leake will also talk about his chosen charity for his mayoral term – Prostate UK. The charity is dedicated to funding research for new treatments and training for medical practitioners working with patients who have prostate conditions.

Bracknell Cllr Leake chose the charity because 50 per cent of men are affected by the condition in some way during their life time and Prostate UK had undertaken to raise awareness in Bracknell Forest and run a master class seminar for local GPs to improve diagnosis and treatment.

Cllr Leake said: "I’m grateful that the Rotary Club of Easthampstead has invited me to speak at its meeting this month and I’m very much looking forward to talking about the roles and responsibilities of being the mayor.

"I’m also honoured that the group has allowed me to take some time to speak about my charity – Prostate UK. This is a charity that does much good work to research treatment for prostate conditions and so I’m pleased to support the charity in raising awareness of it wherever I can."

The meeting starts at 7.30pm at John Nike Leisure Centre, John Nike Way.

Bracknell Forest Council

The family of Bracknell 83-year-old Leslie Frewen are asking for the public’s help in locating their much-loved father and grandfather, who was reported missing on Sunday (15/8).

Bracknell Leslie is married to Jean and has two daughters and four grandchildren aged between 12 and 18.

He was an Army cadet and then served with the Grenadier Guards from 1945 to 1948. Leslie returned to civilian life for eight years before rejoining the Army in 1956 as a member of the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME).

In 1967 Leslie left the REME and joined the Post Office, where he worked until his retirement in 1988.

His family said:

"Jean, Leigh, Erika, their family and friends would like your help in trying to trace Leslie Edward Frewen, aged 83. He was last seen on Sunday 15 August at approximately 3.45pm in County Lane, Bracknell, heading towards Tesco. He was wearing a fawn zipper jacket, navy blue trousers and black lace-up shoes.

"If you have seen him, know of his whereabouts or have any information that may help us to locate him, we urge you please to contact the police.

"We miss him and love him very much. We are desperate to know that he is safe and we want him back home with us as soon as possible."

As of 1pm today (19/8) Mr Frewen has not been found and the Bracknell police search continues.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Thames Valley Police via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505, quoting reference number: URN 1352 15/8.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Are you ready for Bracknell snow this winter and do you know how to help prevent yourself becoming ill with flu?

For lots of handy Bracknell tips on how to cope in emergency situations like heavy snow, flooding, potential pandemics such as flu, loss of water supply or building evacuation there’s now a free guide called Are You Ready available for Bracknell Forest residents.

The Bracknell guide has been put together by emergency planning and response professionals from the Thames Valley Local Resilience Forum and features practical advice and steps so that if the big freeze returns or if there is a major flood, residents will be ready.

Simple steps featured in the guide include:

* creating a household emergency plan
* having an in case of emergency (ICE) contact saved in your mobile;
* checking your fire alarm works every week;
* if you get stuck in snow stay with your car and tie something bright to the aerial;
* during snow and ice, clear your own drive way and if you need to drive consider only major roads may be treated, carry a spade in your boot.

Louise Osborn, Bracknell emergency planning manager, said: "The Are You Ready guide is an essential read for residents so they can be prepared just in case the worst does happen. Some of the advice may sound simplistic, but it’s these easy steps that can make the difference between being ready in an emergency situation or being caught out."

The booklets are available at libraries, leisure centres and council reception areas.

Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for Bracknell culture, corporate services and public protection, said: "The Are You Ready booklet is about the council and other public sector organisations coming together to share our knowledge to help people help themselves in the event of an emergency.

"The severe weather last year highlighted just how unprepared some people were for an emergency and so to help inform residents the Council is making this free guide available."

Copies of the booklet are also available by emailing emergency.planning@bracknell-forest.gov.uk or calling customer services on 01344 352000.

Bracknell Forest Council

A man and woman arrested in connection with an investigation into the abduction of three teenage girls in Bracknell have been re-bailed until next month.

A 28-year-old man and 22-year-old woman have been re-bailed to answer police bail at Maidenhead police station on 17 September. The man was re-bailed yesterday (16/8) and the woman today (17/8).

The 28-year-old was arrested in the Midlands on the evening of 3 June 2010 on suspicion of conspiracy to commit abduction and sexual assault.

The 22-year-old woman was arrested in London on 2 June 2010 on suspicion of conspiracy in connection with the investigation.

Terry Michael Bryant, aged 41, of Waverley Road, London, is charged with 16 offences in connection with the investigation. He has been remanded in prison to appear before Reading Crown Court on 24 August 2010, for a plea and case management hearing.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

A Bracknell Forest service that provides emergency help to some of the most vulnerable people in the region is celebrating after scooping an excellence award.

Forestcare, Bracknell Forest Council’s emergency response service which monitors Lifeline alarms in the community and in sheltered housing and provides out-of-hours assistance to a number of local authorities, has recently been awarded an accreditation by the Telecare Services Association (TSA).

Forestcare is the first service to be recognised by the national TSA body in the county – the accreditation recognises excellence in the telecare industry.

Forestcare is responsible for:

* installing and monitoring Lifeline alarms for individuals and organisations in the Berkshire area;
* monitoring alarms in sheltered and supported accommodation and acting as keyholder to provide a mobile response when the scheme manager is unavailable or has gone home for the evening;
* renting sensors and other assistive technology equipment, such as monitored smoke and carbon dioxide alarms linked to Lifelines;
* monitoring lone workers, like social workers, so they are safe to work in the community by themselves;
* dealing with emergency calls to Bracknell Forest Council (and other local councils) when main council offices are shut.

Claire Bennett, Forestcare manager, said: “This accreditation is a real testament to how hard our staff work in Forestcare to provide an excellent service to all clients. Not only is our service recognised as excellent by the leading industry body but it’s also the first in the county to gain this recognition.

"I’m pleased the TSA has recognised our hard work and we will continue to look at ways to improve our service to make it even better."

Bracknell Forest Council

Thames Valley Police is appealing for the public’s help in tracing a man who has been reported missing in Bracknell.

Leslie Frewen, aged 83, was last seen at his address in The Plateau, Warfield Park, Bracknell, at about 3pm today (15/8), when he left to go for a walk.

Mr Frewen is white, has cropped grey hair, wears glasses, and was last seen wearing navy trousers, a beige zipped jacked and black shoes.

Bracknell Police are growing increasingly concerned for Mr Frewen’s welfare as it is out of character for him to go missing.

Anyone with information about Mr Frewen’s whereabouts is asked to contact Thames Valley Police via the 24-hour Police Enquiry Centre on 0845 8 505 505, quoting reference number: URN 1352 15/8.

Thames Valley Police ~ Bracknell

Do you know what Bracknell benefits you’re entitled to or do you need some advice on how to maximise your income?

Free help and advice will be available to all Bracknell Forest residents on Thursday, August 19, during the Benefits for You drop-in event.

Advice on Bracknell housing and council tax benefit will be available as well as a host of take-away information on other financial help and discounts available such as leisure saver scheme, e+ card and concessionary travel.

The Bracknell Forest Council run event will also feature benefit officers being able to do entitlement assessments on the day.

Benefits for You will run from 10am to 4pm outside the main entrance to Princess Square shopping centre in Bracknell town centre.

Also attending will be advisors from the NHS Stop Smoking Service, Citizens’ Advice Bureau and Jobcentre Plus. Advice on home energy savings will also be available.

Cllr Dale Birch, executive member for Bracknell adult social care, health and housing, said: "Getting the right benefit to the right people is very important and one of our biggest challenges.

"If you think you may be entitled to some financial help then please come along and speak to one of our benefits team – they may be able to help you find out your entitlement on the spot."

To keep children occupied while Bracknell parents take on board some advice, there will be a facepainter available from 10am to 1pm plus a prize draw will include the chance of winning some prizes from The Look Out Discovery Centre, Bracknell Leisure Centre and Downshire Golf Complex.

As well as making sure people in need of financial help get the right support, the council also has a dedicated cheat chaser service – anyone can contact the team anonymously on 0800 590 437 or by emailing cheat.chasers@bracknell-forest.gov.uk

Bracknell Forest Council

Are you looking to get a Bracknell foot on the ladder but don’t have the readies for a full deposit – then why not come buy with us?

Bracknell Forest Council will be launching a new scheme called BFC My Home Buy this autumn to give first time buyers, who have lived in the borough for at least five years, a flying start into purchasing their own home sweet home.

The Bracknell scheme is one of the first to be launched in the country to give first time buyers a real choice in what type of home they purchase by sharing the purchase with the council. All those who apply will have to show their ability to raise the mortgage on the share they want to buy.

The homes can be old or new but may only have one bedroom more than the applicant needs – for example a married couple could look at one and two bedroom homes but a family consisting of a mum, dad and one child could look at two and three bedroom homes.

Once the first time buyers have found their dream home, the Bracknell council will purchase the property, subject to the usual checks associated with home-buying, and will sell the applicant a percentage of the home based on what they can afford. The council will charge a rent on the share it keeps which will increase up to a maximum of 5 per cent five years after purchase.

Simon Hendey, chief officer for Bracknell housing said: "There are lots of people in the borough who are earning good salaries but because banks are demanding such huge deposits they are struggling to get a foot on the ladder. This new scheme will help first time buyers get their own home without having to save for years and years for a ridiculously high deposit."

Cllr Dale Birch, executive member for adult social care, health and housing, said: "The council is committed to helping its residents find suitable and affordable housing and to this aim it has just reviewed its housing strategy to include the new BFC My Home Buy scheme.

"Schemes like this are essential to help people find a suitable home while keeping the borough’s social housing free for those people who genuinely can’t afford to buy.

"The new scheme also has the added bonus of the council being able to invest in property and getting a return on this investment in years to come. Plus it provides first time buyers with a bit more protection should the worst come and they lose their job or can’t pay their mortgage as the council will be able to immediately intervene and point them in the right direction of the relevant financial help schemes."

Bracknell Forest Council

Bracknell Forest Council has once again seen three of its parks awarded prestigious Green Flags.

Pope’s Meadow in Binfield has retained its Green Flag for an impressive ninth consecutive year. Lilly Hill Park in Bullbrook has also been awarded a Green Flag for the third year running, following a £2 million restoration project completed in 2008.

Meanwhile, Bracknell Forest Council and Sandhurst Town Council were jointly presented with the award for Sandhurst Memorial Park and Shepherd Meadows for the seventh year running, following their ongoing partnership.

The Green Flag is a national standard for parks and recognises the best green spaces in the country. The accreditation was awarded on Wednesday, July 22, when a total of 917 Green Flags were presented across the country.

The judges’ criteria include making the park a welcoming place; it should be healthy, safe, and secure; and be clean and well maintained. They also look at conservation and heritage, community involvement, marketing and management.

Richard Walton, head of Bracknell parks and countryside, said:" We are delighted that these three parks continue to be recognised by the Green Flag judges.

"Our team works very hard to maintain all our green spaces, so we are really pleased to have three Green Flags flying in parks managed by Bracknell Forest Council, especially one managed in partnership. Everyone involved should be extremely proud of this achievement.”

Cllr Iain McCracken, executive member for Bracknell culture, corporate services and public protection said: "It is fantastic to see that our parks have yet again retained their Green Flags, especially Pope’s Meadow which continues to be a high achiever with an unbroken nine years in a row.

"Our parks and open spaces are one of the top three reasons why people like living in Bracknell Forest. As residents we can be proud that our local award-winning parks have been listed as three of the country’s best green spaces. Congratulations to our staff and partners for this achievement long may it continue."

Bracknell Forest Council