Surrey Fire and Rescue Service is issuing a safety warning to residents following a rise in battery related fires over the past five years.
As of September this year the service has attended 55 battery related fires. In comparison to the 53 incidents last year, compared to 20 in 2022 and 13 in 2021.
If damaged, mishandled, or charged incorrectly they can pose a serious fire risk.
All residents are urged to take precautions in order to protect themselves, their families, and their property.
St Catherine’s Hospice has announced service changes after cutting dozens of jobs in what it said had been a “tough and heartbreaking few months”.
The service which operates in West Sussex and Surrey, announced in September it needed to save £1.5m and cut 40 jobs in order to secure its future.
The changes would include new hours for its telephone advice line, new ward admission hours and a more targeted approach to referrals.
The hospice charity said it had changed its referral criteria to focus on patients with more complex care needs.
Other patients will remain under the care of their GP, with the hospice team providing expert advice to them when needed.
Data released by the MIB (Motor Insures’ Bureau) has revealed the top five worst areas in the county for uninsured driving, with Elmbridge leading the way. Surrey Police ran a week-long vital road safety initiative ‘Operation Drive Insured’ from 11-15 November to get uninsured drivers off the road.
Whilst KT10 tops the list of hotspots within the Surrey area, it comes in at just 74th place nationally. No postal area within the region has had more than eight claims across the two-year period.
| Rank | Postal area | Location |
| 1 | KT10 | Elmbridge |
| 2 | TW20 | Runnymede |
| 3 | RH1 | Reigate and Banstead |
| 4 | GU9 | Waverley |
| 5 | GU15 | Surrey Heath |
Every 20 minutes someone in the UK is hit by an uninsured or hit-and-run driver and, tragically, each day at least one person suffers injuries so severe they need life-long care.
Uninsured driving is, sadly, not a standalone issue, so stopping an uninsured vehicle can help identify individuals of interest, drink and drug driving, stolen vehicles or property, and organised crime networks.
Along with the week’s campaign, a dedicated morning took place at Sandown Racecourse on Friday, 15 November which resulted in:
3 vehicles with no insurance, with 1 vehicle seized
1 arrest for driving under the influence of drugs
18 individual stops for varying levels of offences:
It equally has a hugely significant economic impact. MIB estimates all injuries caused by uninsured and hit-and-run drivers potentially cost the economy nearly £2.4 billion a year in emergency services, medical care, loss of productivity and human costs.
T/PS Martin Abel: “Not only will your vehicle be seized, but you will receive a £300 fine and six points on your license. If you end up in court, you could also receive an unlimited fine and even a driving ban. The consequences are not only financial, being caught driving uninsured can affect every part of your life; you could lose your independence and it could even impact your ability to get a new job as any driving convictions will come up on searches.”
Don’t risk the serious consequences of driving uninsured
Common insurance pitfalls include:
Top tips to ensure your insurance remains valid:
If you’re not sure about your insurance status, check today for free: mib.org.uk/driveinsured
A drug dealer from Lewisham who was supplying drugs into Surrey as part of a sophisticated county line, has been sent to prison for 3 years, thanks to one wrong digit in a phone number.
25 year old Phillip Paul from Lewisham, was sentenced at Chichester Crown Court on 14 November, to 3 years imprisonment.
We first became aware of a drugs line operating in Redhill, Dorking, Leatherhead and Epsom, back in March of this year, after we had examined the phone messages of a buyer. Messages advertising the sale of drugs including crack cocaine and heroin, were also accidentally sent to the mobile number of a serving Surrey police officer, who reported this into the Proactive Investigation Team.
Through comprehensive phone work and enquiries, officers identified Paul as the ‘line holder’ and he was successfully arrested outside his home. Upon searching him, officers uncovered £337 in cash, a wrap of crack cocaine, three wraps of heroin and a bag containing two grams of cannabis. A number of messages from users requesting to buy drugs were also found on Paul’s phone.
At court, Paul pleaded guilty to being concerned in the supply of crack cocaine, being concerned in the supply of heroin and possession of cannabis.
Investigating officer, PC Joseph Brown, said; “Drug dealing can have a hugely disruptive effect on the local community and dealers make their ill-gotten money off the misery of others. If you come into Surrey to deal drugs, we will pursue you and bring you to justice.”
The future of the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill still hangs in the balance following the discovery of RAAC concrete earlier this year.
Reigate and Banstead council has now received the initial findings of an intrusive survey who have been examining parts of the building including the auditorium roof and some back of house areas.
Reports into further detailed analysis in relation to defects, deterioration and water damage are due to be submitted soon.
The building is now 40 years old, so the Council also commissioned a full building condition survey and expect to see these results next month.
Leader of the council Richard Biggs said “In parallel with the building investigations, we are developing proposals for arts and cultural opportunities we could provide in the borough, whilst we cannot access the building”.
Councillor Biggs also thanked the 600 people who completed a questionnaire to share their views on arts and cultural aspirations. The results will form part of the report provided to the Council’s Executive in January – to help them make informed decisions and agree next steps.