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Survey launches to help shape future broadband plans

A survey to establish the future broadband needs of residents and businesses has been launched by Essex County Council.

Running until Monday 19th April, the Essex County Council Broadband Survey aims to better understand connectivity needs across the county and identify addresses that should be included in future state-funded broadband rollouts.

Launched by Superfast Essex, the council’s broadband improvement programme, the survey invites residents and businesses to share information about their current broadband connectivity, including their provider and download speed, as well as what they use their connection for.

Essex County Councillor Lesley Wagland, Deputy Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Superfast Essex Steering Board Chairman, said: “We intend for Essex to be one of the bestconnected counties in the UK. It is because we recognise just how vital digital infrastructure is for residents and businesses alike that I recommend everyone takes five minutes to complete the Essex County Council Broadband Survey to help us identify those areas that need it the most.”

Council dealing with dozens of enquiries over HMRC site

North Weald Parish Council has been dealing with more than 40 emails from local residents regarding issues surrounding the HMRC Inland Border Facility on North Weald airfield since the site opened on 1st January.

Parish clerk Sue deLuca told Monday's meeting that she had been dealing with 43 emails.

"We do seem to be getting lots and lots of emails (relating to) problems and concerns."

The site, off Rayley Lane and Merlin Way, checks with the paperwork of HGV drivers who are travelling to and from the EU since the end of the transition period at the end of last year. To date, the Superfast Essex programme has worked with network operators Openreach and Gigaclear to extend broadband coverage to nearly 140,000 properties across Essex.

Superfast Essex is now exploring how to support the deployment of gigabit-capable networks, in line with the government’s ambition for 85% of homes and businesses to have access to ultrafast (gigabit-capable) broadband by 2025. As part of this, the government has committed to investing £5bn in the hardest to reach parts of the country, where commercial investment is not viable.

The Essex County Council Broadband Survey is designed to help Superfast Essex validate which homes and businesses can currently access a fast broadband service, and those which cannot and therefore should be eligible for future public-funded broadband investment. In parallel to this survey, the Council is also consulting broadband network operators to identify which addresses are in commercial rollout plans for a gigabit-capable service. To find out more, visit www.superfastessex.org/

Don’t forget to visit the website

Www.northwealdvillagelife.co.uk

Here are some recent local policing issues and updates for our area.

Catalytic converter thefts - are being experienced across the District. Any ‘live’ theft incident will be attended on an emergency response, and enquiries made with all reports to identify suspect vehicles for stop and searches. It is likely suspects are offending across borders, with information sharing across districts and forces ongoing. The Roads Policing Unit have been responsible for at least 3 arrests since 30th November on suspicion of catalytic converter theft, based on stops at the M11 J7 Hastingwood Roundabout and on the A13.

Dogs being Stolen - Essex Police are aware of concerns in relation to dogs being stolen, however it has become apparent that conversations being had may not reflect current recorded crimes. At the beginning of February, officers stopped a van in Loughton linked to reports of suspicious behaviour across the district. After speaking with the driver and searching the van, officers were content there was no cause for concern and no criminal offence had been committed. Please keep reporting to help us respond. Essex Police has a Dog Watch scheme encouraging dog owners and walkers to be extra eyes and ears within the community. For more information and/or to join, please email: essex.watch.liaison.officers@essex.police.uk.

North Weald Golf Course - Essex Police have been working to address concerns about nuisance vehicles at the North Weald disused golf course and surrounding area. Police have liaised with the Parish Council, who have gated the bridleway. The landowner has also erected a fence. Section 59 warnings have frequently been issued when able to drivers/riders. This means should the individual drive that same or any other vehicle in a similar manner within 12 months, the vehicle can be seized. A positive reduction in incidents has been noticed.

Motor Vehicle Theft - Essex Police continues to respond to acquisitive and transient criminality, such as theft of motor vehicle offences. Lines of investigative enquiry are explored with all reports in an attempt to identify a suspect. This includes using Automatic Number Plate Recognition technology to identify directions of travel for stolen vehicles and suggest any suspect vehicles. It is not uncommon for registration plates to be changed on victim or suspect vehicles; any information such as plate deposition sites or individuals being seen to change plates is encouraged to be reported. Information sharing is ongoing with neighbouring forces, and there are regular joint operations in west Essex and locally. Some vehicles are often very quickly taken to ‘chop shop’ locations and dismantled for the onward sale of parts. We continue to gather intelligence regarding any possible sites, so please do report any suspicious activity you may witness. Any stolen vehicles located by Essex Police, often thanks to reports from members of the public, are forensically recovered in the hope that this may locate a suspect. The force’s Stolen Vehicle Examiner brings specialist knowledge and is frequently recovering vehicles using false identities. You can follow him on Twitter: @essex_sviu

Crime Prevention— Theft of Motor Vehicles

Theft of motor vehicle offences have decreased by 21.9% across Epping Forest in the 12 months to January 2021. 18 theft of motor vehicle offences were recorded for 01/11/20 to 01/02/21, compared to 19 for the same period 2019/20. Always ensure your vehicle is double locked by manually checking. Keep keys out of view when at home and make use of security pouches for key fobs to prevent scanning of your key’s signals. Fitting a steering wheel, gear lever or clutch pedal security device may offer additional protection. Always activate the tracker if your vehicle has one.

Epping Forest District Council Community, Culture and Wellbeing Team and the Community Resilience Team have come together with other partners to create a free information bag to help residents Stay Safe, Stay Aware and Take Care. Councillor Holly Whitbread, Cabinet, Member for Housing and Communities said: “During the coronavirus pandemic it has become more important than ever to make sure we are aware of the ever-evolving scams and other advice out there to help and inform us. Scammers are taking advantage of the current situation, so we decided to put together our Stay Safe bag of information.

Essex Police, Essex County Fire Service, East of England Ambulance, Age UK, Citizens Advice and Voluntary Action Epping Forest are among the many organisations involved in the project.” The free bag of information contains “The Little Book of Big Scams” and advice and information on a multitude of other topics. Councillor Holly Whitbread added: “Almost all of the 1,000 bags have been distributed in the community and my special thanks go to our Community Champions, local pharmacists, doctors and various Resident’s Association across the district who have worked with us to get the bags out in a safe way.” The five recommended steps to stay safe are:1. Connect – talk, listen, care, belong 2. Be active – move, walk, run, dance 3. Take notice – family, friends, neighbours, community 4. Keep learning – something new, something to share, be creative, 5. Give – your time, knowledge, help, support

New interactive job site launched to help you

The DevelopMe hub has been set up to support those looking for a new job or training opportunities or want to develop your skills further. The hub is personal to each user and packed with interactive tools and the latest job opportunities, all designed to help you navigate today’s job market and grow in confidence. You can register at https:// www.eppingforestdc.gov.uk/ community/developme/ By registering with DevelopMe you’ll have access to:

• Help with CV writing • Career options • E-learning • Searching and applying for jobs • Interview skills • looking after your wellbeing • prepare for work

Epping Forest District Council has worked in collaboration with Harlow and Uttlesford councils to create DevelopMe.

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance appeals for help keeping `Blood on Board’

Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT) is looking for sixty people to help it raise £30,000, so that the charity’s critical care teams can continue carrying blood to patients who need it most. Each year EHAAT treats approximately 60 people in need of a potentially life-saving blood transfusion at the scene of an incident. On average it costs EHAAT around £500 to help each of these patients in need of blood, so it is appealing for 60 people to donate £500 each to get to the £30,000 needed to keep flying blood to those who need it most. EHAAT’s Blood Project Lead Laurie Phillipson said: “Being able to give a transfusion at the scene of an incident can be a life-saving intervention for patients suffering significant bleeding. Our pre-hospital critical care teams can provide this rapidly and safely before the patient reaches hospital.”

EHAAT’s helicopters and rapid response vehicles carry packed red blood cells of blood group O Negative, meaning they can be used on any patient. When required, these are given with plasma, the other major component of human blood. The packed red blood cells are supplied daily from The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Harlow and delivered to EHAAT’s airbases at Earls Colne and North Weald by riders from Essex Voluntary Blood Service (EVBS). The blood is replaced daily and replenished as required. The blood is delivered and stored in special insulated boxes that keep the blood at a cool temperature for at least 24 hours. These are fitted with a data logger that indicates if the temperature is trending outside of the correct range. If unused after 24 hours the blood is returned for use elsewhere, preventing any wastage of this precious commodity. When the blood is required, it is warmed to body temperature to make it safe to administer to the patient and prevent unnecessary cooling of the patient. To find out more about EHAAT’s Blood on Board Appeal visit ehaat.org/bloodappeal

Be aware of child exploitation

Essex Police have confirmed that over the past twelve months, children’s online activity has changed. Exploitation is becoming more hidden, taking place in new locations and moving online. Social media has replaced face to face interaction. Young people have been craving to connect with others. Unfortunately, groomers can take advantage of this.

Traditional signs of exploitation are now blended with new ones. Signs such as new trainers, more money, getting taxis everywhere are combined with signs including receiving online commodities – game currency and other gifts within games.

You can find more about online risks along with help and advice on the Essex Safeguarding Children Board website - https://www.escb.co.uk/

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