Three Wolverhampton organisations have teamed up with a national charity to try and help reduce hate crime in the city.

Together with the Mayor, Safer Wolverhampton Partnership and Stop Hate UK, Wolverhampton Homes have launched a campaign to raise awareness of hate crime in Wolverhampton.

‘Stop Hate in Wolverhampton’ aims to raise awareness of hate crime, which can be linked to disability, sexual orientation, age, race, ethnicity or gender identity.

Only 18 hate crimes were reported to Wolverhampton Homes last year. There were 252 reported to the police in Wolverhampton, which is a reduction of 32 incidents compared to 2010 figures of 284.

However, according to Stop Hate UK, for every hate crime that is reported, eight go un-reported.

Say ‘No’ to Hate Crime

You can sign up to an online pledge to stop hate in Wolverhampton by visiting Wolverhampton Homes website.

There is also a Facebook page where people can show their support and people can support the campaign on Twitter by using the hashtag #stophate.

WV11 wholeheartedly supports this campaign. We have pledged online and hope you do to!

A Christmas hamper appeal has been launched to benefit the family of Sarah Smith who died after being hit by a van whilst cycling in Essington on 7th December.

Organised by Essington Councillor David Clifft, the appeal is in response to residents who have asked how they can help the family following the recent tragedy  (it’s believed that Mrs Smith leaves two young sons).

If you would like donate presents or food these can be dropped off at Cllr Clifft’s office at Essington Community Centre on Hobnock Road between 8:30am and 4:30pm, Monday – Thursday and from 8:30am – 1:00pm on Friday at Cllr Clifft’s home, 14 Long Lane, Essington.

If necessary collection can also be organised, please contact Cllr Clifft on 01922 40110 / 07930 394399 or email d.clifft@sstaffs.gov.uk.

Police Appeal

South Staffs Police are appealing for witnesses to the collision involving 45-year-old cyclist Sarah Smith of Church Crescent, Essington and a white Mercedes Sprinter van which happened at approximately 7:15am on Wednesday 7th December.

Witnesses are asked to contact the investigating officer Sgt Chris Rodger on telephone number 101 quoting incident 113 of 7 December.

UPDATE 09/12/11: Police have now named the cyclist who died as 45 year-old Sarah Smith of Church Crescent in Essington.

Local residents have set up a Facebook petition calling on council officials to take action over what they call ‘hazardous conditions’ on Blackhalve Lane.

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A 45 year-old female cyclist suffered fatal injuries today (Wednesday 7th December) following a collision on Blackhalve Lane in Essington.

The collision, which happened at approximately 7:15am involved a white Mercedes Sprinter van, driven by a 40-year-old man from Walsall and the 45-year-old woman from Essington.

The driver of the Mercedes was uninjured during the collision. Sadly, the cyclist suffered fatal injuries and died at the scene.

South Staffs Police officers attended with colleagues from West Midlands Ambulance Service and the road remained closed for just under four hours while police investigated the scene.

Formal identification is yet to take place and officers are supporting the cyclist’s family at this difficult time.

The driver of the Mercedes was arrested at the scene and enquiries are ongoing.

Witnesses are asked to contact the investigating officer Sgt Chris Rodger on 101 quoting incident 113 of 7 December.

WV11.co.uk would like to extend our deepest condolences to the un-named woman’s family and friends.

Fire family needs clothes, shoes & accommodation

On Tuesday 25th October, a Mother and her 3 daughters lost their home and nearly everything they owned in a house fire on Vicarage Road, Wednesfield and we are hoping our community can help them out.

Kim Manley and her girls aged 15, 13 and 7 are in need of both clothes, shoes and accommodation. They need among other things clothes, including size 12 (adults), girls age 16, girls age 13-14, girls age 7 and shoes sized 5, 3 and children’s 13. If you have any of the following items that you can donate, please get in touch or drop them off at St Thomas’ Church in Wednesfield.

Donation drop off point

St Thomas’ Church in Wednesfield has kindly offered to put a donation box in the Church, this is open for visitors on Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday mornings (10 am – 12 noon) with coffee served on Wednesday, Friday and Saturdays. There will be a large box at the back of church, just by where you come in which is  marked ‘House Fire donations’ and will be there from Thursday 27th.

We’ve already had a fantastic response from the community on our Facebook page and would like to extend our thanks to everyone that has already been in touch – however if you feel you can help or have something to donate, please do!

Accommodation Needed

The family are currently looking for accommodation – if you or someone you know has a property in the Wednesfield area available to rent and are able to help please email us on info@wv11.co.uk and we’ll pass your details on. We will also offer one month’s free advertising on the website, including a plug on our Facebook page and Twitter feed to any landlord that can waive the deposit  for this family!

The offer of free advertising has been matched by the Tettenhall Village website, so that’s free advertising on both websites and associated social media platforms if you’re a landlord that waives your deposit fees (web traffic stats available on request).

Image:  Express and Star

Wednesfield Royal British Legion under 14′s football club are currently looking for a sponsor for their home kit.

If you or someone you know could help, please contact Steve on 07774 964798.

Photo by 1uk3 used under Creative Commons license.

On Friday 30th September, Lloyd Brookes, a regular at St Thomas Church Wednesfield, will be making his first ever tandem Skydive in aid of the St Thomas’ Church and Centre appeal.

So inspired was Lloyd by the Reverend Nick Watson’s call for support for the appeal that he promptly went out and booked his first tandem parachute jump.

Whilst Lloyd prepares for his big day, friends and family at St Thomas Church have been busy gathering sponsors to ensure that his bravery has the maximum impact on the fundraising target.

If you would like to sponsor him, please visit www.justgiving.com/lloydbrookes or contact St Thomas’ Church on 01902 723310.

The St Thomas’ Church and Centre appeal is aiming to raise £56,000 to fund essential works to the church building and to open the old library building as a Church Centre. Talking about Lloyd’s unique contribution towards this goal, the Reverend Nick Watson said:

“We have been overwhelmed by the enthusiasm, commitment and generosity of those like Lloyd who are helping us to both maintain the existing St Thomas’ Church building for future generations whilst also establishing a new church and community building, right in the heart of Wednesfield. The new St Thomas’ Centre will not only house church projects and activities but will also be available for community groups and individuals to hire for either regular events or one-off functions.”

Whether you are a regular church goer, someone who was baptized at St Thomas’, a person whose parents or grandparents were married at the church or a local resident who loves this local landmark, your contribution to the appeal target will be gratefully received.

For more information, to make a donation or to sponsor Lloyd please contact the church on 01902 723310 or wednesfieldteam@gmail.com or visit www.justgiving.com/lloydbrookes.

Yesterday morning our tweeting PCSO’s @WednesfieldN issued a series of tweets (that we subsequently retweeted) that read;

“Been to Barclays bank in W’Field H’St after a fraud device has been fitted to the cash machine last night. Check cash machine before use – Look for anything out of place or any loose fitting objects! If unsure DO NOT USE and alert bank staff or Police immediately!”

With cash point crime potentially taking place this close to home we thought we’d share with you LINK’s, the UK’s cash machine network, guide to cash machine fraud prevention. It explains the scams that criminals use to get hold of cards and card details, as well as providing advice on how to stay safe from fraud when using a cash point.

You can download the full guide from the Action Fraud website but to summarise:

• Always look closely at the card insertion point of a cash machine before using it. If it looks like it may have been tampered with, do not use it.
• If you realise the machine has been tampered with after you have inserted your card, call your bank while still standing at the cash machine if it is safe to do so.
• Always shield your hand when entering your PIN into a cash point keypad.

Stay vigilant and if you spot something out of place report it!

*UPDATE*

After this mornings appeal by West Midlands Police we are very happy to report that missing person Iris Allcock has been found safe and well.

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West Midlands Police have today release an appeal for us to help find a missing person Iris Allcock.

Iris, a 72 year-old from Whitehouse Crescent, was reported missing by her family at around 10pm on Monday 5 September.

She is described as a white female, around five feet tall, with a slim build and collar length wavey grey hair.

When last seen she was wearing a royal blue fleece, jeans and red shoes.

Her family are concerned for her welfare due to her age and ill health.

Anybody who has seen Iris or a person matching her description is asked to contact police in Wolverhampton on 0345 113 5000.

Original Post: visit the West Midlands Police incident page.

Friday evening we had a touching email  land in our inbox – can you help?

“I am writing to you about a very sad and desperate story.

A stray cat has been living in a garden in Wednesfield, Wolverhampton for the past 6 months and has been causing havoc for the householders’ pet cat.

The stray Billy (pictured right) was named by Jane McCosker, the owner of the house’s garden he is living in, because of his tendency to bully other cats. He has been stealing food from and attacking Mouseski (pictured left), the pet cat of Jane and her family. Billy has a big heart for people, but recently attacked Mouseski, leaving both his lungs collapsed and him clinging onto life by the bare claws of his little paws at Carmel Veterinary Centre, Wolverhampton.

Amazingly Mouseski pulled through, but his family are very worried about him going out and getting savaged once again by Billy. The stray loves people, and will even allow fuss on his terms, but he has a distinct dislike for other cats.

The McCosker family have tried contacting local and further-a-field rescues such as RSPCA, Cat’s Protection, Cat’s Whiskers, Cat’s Cradle and many more to no avail with all having a very long waiting list, leaving Mouseki’s life in danger every time he steps a paw out of the front door.

All Billy needs is a loving and caring home, where he can roam around a garden with no worry of other cats being present. If you feel you could take on Billy and put Mouseski’s life back in his own paws, instead of the grasp of Billy, please contact Jane or Rachel McCosker on 01902 728350.”

So can you help give “Billy” the black and white moggy a forever home?

Phil Bateman has posted an update on the future of the Wednesfield War Memorial after the metal plaque was recently stolen from the Cenotaph in Wednesfield.

Mr Bateman and Wolverhampton North East MP Emma Reynolds have been appealing for families to contact them if they know of loved ones who were missed off the original memorial.

Several families have come forward during and their loved ones will now be added to the new memorial alongside their fallen comrades.

Sergeant Causer of Wednesfield Police this week confirmed that the Police had given a substantial sum towards the replacement of the vandalised memorial. The money was raised as a payment to the Police following an episode of the BBC’s ‘Doctor’s’ programme being filmed at the station.

The new plaque will be made of a material that has no scrap value in an attempt to deter metal thieves.

Source: Phil Bateman / Photo WV11.co.uk