Lark in the Park's Flying Visit

One of the Metropolitan Police's helicopters paid a flying visit to Sidcup as the highlight of this year's 'Lark in the Park'. Traffic on The Green was brought to a halt on Saturday lunchtime as the 'Eurocopter' came into land for a special visit to the community event at Sidcup Place.

Lark in the Park has become an annual highlight for Sidcup with over 300 volunteers providing community fun for all the family.  The event is organised by the church community in Sidcup with the support of the police and other local agencies and organisations.  Arts, crafts, music, dance, sport and a range of other activities for young and old alike provide a full programme of events over 16 days.  

Old Bexley and Sidcup MP James Brokenshire praised those involved in the organisation of Lark in the Park 2010.  Commenting he said:

"Lark in the Park is a fantastic event for Sidcup and continues to go from strength to strength.  It is amazing to think that thousands of people will take part in such a varied programme of activities between now and 8th August.  Congratulations and a huge amount of thanks go to Paul Weston and all of the team of volunteers for continuing to put on such an amazing event for the benefit of local people and for the service they give to the local community.  It really is the 'Big Society' in action and everyone involved should be very proud."

Pictured in the photograph are James Brokenshire MP with Paul Weston and PCSO Kirsty Bambrough from the Longlands Police Safer Neighbourhood Team who was instrumental in securing the visit of the Metropolitan Police 'Eurocopter'.

Crackdown on Stolen Mobile Phones

Crime Prevention Minister James Brokenshire has launched a new code of practice to regulate how mobile phone recycling companies check to see if the phones they buy are stolen.  The code will see mobile phone recycling companies check the details of every phone they are offered against a national database, which lists mobile phones that have been blocked, stolen or voluntarily registered.

If the phone is blocked, recyclers will refuse to buy it and details of the phone and the person or organisation who offered it to them will be passed on to police.

Although 90 per cent of handsets reported stolen in the UK are blocked across all networks within 48 hours of being reported, they can still be used overseas. The mobile phone recycling industry exports many of the handsets it buys and this has created a new market for stolen phones.  The regulation will stop an estimated 100,000 phones from being sold to recycling companies every year.

In return, the companies that sign up to the code will be placed on an approved list of recyclers, which consumers will have access to, and which the mobile phone industry will recommend people buy from.

James Brokenshire said that the code would close 'a multi-million pound loophole that has been exploited by criminals.'

He said, 'Tackling crime effectively is not just a job for government alone, action at all levels of society is needed to make a real difference. This new agreement is a perfect example of what this approach can achieve.

'By joining forces with the police, the mobile phone industry is closing a multi-million pound loophole that has been exploited by criminals and the industry should be congratulated. Alongside the impressive work on blocking stolen phones, this code will make mobile phone theft an even less profitable crime.'

Brokenshire visits Rothbury

Home Office minister James Brokenshire has shown his support to the town devastated by the actions of Raoul Moat.

The minister paid tribute to hero policeman PC David Rathband after visiting him in hospital.  The Northumbria Police traffic officer was left blind after Raoul Moat shot him in the face at point blank range.

But PC Rathband told crime prevention minister James Brokenshire he was determined to return to the force despite the horrific injuries he suffered.

Mr Brokenshire met PC Rathband on a visit to the North East which included a trip to Rothbury, where Moat shot himself dead. The minister also spoke to Northumbria Chief Constable Sue Sim, as well as local police officers and community leaders.

'Raoul Moat had a devastating impact on his victims, on Northumbria Police, and on the people of Rothbury,' said Mr Brokenshire.

'I wanted to show the government's appreciation to the people and police of the North East for the magnificent way they responded.

'I want to make particular mention of PC David Rathband. His courage in dealing with the devastating injuries he suffered is absolutely exceptional. He is truly an inspirational man.'

Brokenshire announces NRG-1 to be Class B Drug

Naphyrone - often advertised as 'NRG1' - and its related compounds are to be banned and made Class B drugs, Minister for Crime Prevention James Brokenshire announced today.

This follows recommendations from the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD).

Today the government laid a Parliamentary order and legislation will now follow at the earliest opportunity. This will include a generic definition to prevent drug manufacturers tweaking the chemical structure in an attempt to get around the law.

James Brokenshire said, 'I am deeply concerned about the use of this potentially dangerous 'legal high' and I want to make it illegal as soon as possible.

'We have already taken action to ban its import into the UK and we will continue to target those unscrupulous dealers who try to bring these substances onto our streets.'

'I also want to send a clear message to anyone considering buying a 'legal high' - just because they are advertised as 'legal' does not mean that they are safe and they may not be legal. You are putting your health at risk and could be committing a criminal offence.'

Naphyrone and related compounds - often advertised as 'NRG1' are often sold labelled as '100 per cent legal' or as 'plant food'. The ACMD report, published on 7 July 2010, showed that due to its potency naphyrone has considerable potential for misuse and accidental overdose. The likely harms include adverse effects on the heart and blood vessels, hyperthermia, dependence and psychiatric effects.

The ACMD report also highlighted research that found that in many cases substances sold as 'NRG1' actually contained already banned drugs, such as mephedrone. The ACMD will continue to look at 'legal highs'as a priority as part of their ongoing work.

The UK Border Agency (UKBA) is now able to seize and destroy naphyrone and related compounds at the border. Following a similar ban on mephedrone and related compounds in March 2010, UKBA have already prevented more than 115kg of suspected mephedrone reaching our streets.

Deaf Awareness Week

To mark Deaf Awareness Week (28 June - 4 July 2010), James Brokenshire MP is supporting leading charities and calling on his constituents to help remove communication barriers faced by people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

James Brokenshire MP attended a deaf awareness reception in the House of Commons organised by the UK Council on Deafness (UKCoD) and supported by RNID and the National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS). The event highlighted important ‘dos and don'ts' to help improve communication with adults and children who are deaf or hard of hearing including:

• Do learn some basic signs and fingerspelling
• Do repeat yourself or rephrase until you're understood
• Do face me when you speak
• Do think about communication support
• Don't have lots of background noise
• Don't shout
• Don't avoid conversation.

James Brokenshire MP says: "Many shops, services and residents in Old Bexley and Sidcup may not realise the barriers faced by people who are deaf or hard of hearing and how small changes, such as holding face-to-face conversations in well lit places, can significantly improve communication. I encourage others to join me in learning about the communication needs of people who are deaf or hard of hearing."

Chair of UKCoD, Susan Daniels, said: "Adults and children who are deaf or hard of hearing face communication barriers due to a lack of awareness in the community which can lead to issues such as isolation and exclusion from society. We're urging everyone in Old Bexley and Sidcup to follow James Brokenshire MP's example and improve their everyday communication with people who are deaf or hard of hearing."

UKCoD, RNID and NDCS are encouraging everyone to get involved in the discussion on ‘do's and don't's' of communication by uploading a photo of their top communication tips and sharing their thoughts at www.flickr.com/groups/daw2010

One in seven people in the UK are deaf or hard of hearing, and of those, over 45,000 are deaf children.

APOH suspended

The Chief Executive of the NHS in London has confirmed to Old Bexley & Sidcup MP James Brokenshire that the controversial ‘A Picture of Health' plans for hospital care in Outer South East London have been put on hold pending a formal re-examination. In a letter to the MP, Ruth Carnall revealed that Simon Robbins - the Chief Executive of Bromley PCT and the South East London Sector NHS Chief Executive - had been appointed to lead the review into proposed changes to hospital services at Queen Mary's Sidcup, Queen Elizabeth and Princess Royal University hospitals.

The news confirms the earlier announcement by the Secretary of State for Health, Rt. Hon. Andrew Lansley MP, that hospital reorganisations should be tested to ensure that they satisfy four new criteria:

1. Support from GP commissioners will be essential;
2. Arrangements for public and patient engagement, including local authorities should be further strengthened;
3. There should be greater clarity about the clinical evidence base underpinning proposals;
4. That proposals should take into account the need to develop and support patient choice.

Ms Carnall said:

"The review will focus on the implications of the strategy for South London Healthcare NHS Trust, including those for the Queen Mary's Sidcup site. This means that implementation of the decisions taken by the Joint Committee of PCTs on 21 July 2008 will be suspended, pending the outcome of the review."

In a separate letter to James Brokenshire, the Health Minister Simon Burns MP has said that the South London Healthcare NHS Trust "welcomes and will follow the Department of Health's guidance". Mr Burns added that:

"The Trust is awaiting further clarity from the Department about how to implement the guidance locally. I am informed that, in the meantime, the Trust will increase its dialogue with local GPs."

Commenting James Brokenshire said:

"I welcome the commencement of the formal review into local hospital changes. NHS London has rightly underlined the need for this to be a meaningful process. Significant concerns were expressed when ‘A Picture of Health' was originally drawn up and it's important that the clinical case for change is re-assessed. I will be making strong representations on the importance of retaining services locally and securing the long-term future of Queen Mary's, Sidcup.

"The views of local doctors will be a significant part of the review. That's why I'm continuing to meet with local GP practices to underline to them the essential role they have to play. The public also need to be involved given that patient choice is a key factor. I will be working with other Parliamentary colleagues to makes these points clear once the details of the review process have been finalised."

Brokenshire warns festivals over 'legal highs'

James Brokenshire has asked organisers of summer music festivals to warn people about the dangers of so-called 'legal highs'.  The Minister for Crime Prevention has written to the organisers of the Glastonbury and Latitude festivals, as well as other popular music festivals, asking them to be aware of the dangers of drugs that are known as 'legal' or 'herbal' highs.

One such drug, mephedrone, was banned recently, but others are still sold. Last year during festival season, police reported a rise in the sale and consumption of such drugs.  Sellers of these substances hope to exploit users who think that 'legal' means 'safe'. But Mr Brokenshire emphasised that these are not harmless substances, and nor are they necessarily legal.

'During the festival season we know that people may be tempted to try potentially dangerous new drugs,' he said, 'particularly when they are advertised as "legal" or "herbal".'

He pointed out that drugs like 'NRG1', or naphyrone, are often labled as 'plant food' or 'bath salt' but have a chemical structure closely related to cathinone derivatives such as mephedrone, and may share the same risks. They may also actually contain illegal drugs such as mephedrone or methylone. Anyone caught in possession of such a 'legal high' could be charged with a crime.

'That is why we are asking festival organisers and police to work with us to send out the message that these substances may not be safe, and could contain illegal drugs,' Mr Brokenshire said.

'We are going to change our drug laws so we can respond quickly to emerging substances by introducing a temporary ban while we seek full scientific advice.'

For further details visit the Frank website.

GPs critical in deciding future of local hospital services

Old Bexley and Sidcup MP James Brokenshire has launched a series of meetings with local GPs to assess their views on proposed changes to local hospital services. The local MP held two separate meetings with local doctors in Sidcup and Bexley on Thursday and Friday with more sessions planned in the next few weeks. The meetings with General Practitioners come in the wake of new Government criteria by which proposals to change hospital services are to be assessed. These make clear that support from GP commissioners will be essential.

The importance of the new requirements has been underlined to James Brokenshire in a letter from Health Minister Simon Burns. In his letter Mr Burns said that:

"...in future all service changes must be led by clinicians and patients, not be driven from the top."

The Minister also confirmed that NHS bodies with current reorganisation proposals - including those which are ongoing - will be asked to revisit their plans to ensure that they meet the Coalition Government's new requirements. Mr Burns said that he expected that this will require further work with the public, GP commissioners and local authorities.

Commenting James Brokenshire said:

"Before the last General Election we said that if both the public and GPs supported the retention of services such as A&E and maternity there should be no forced closures. The new strengthened criteria for NHS changes follows through on this commitment. It underlines the importance of public and patient engagement and says that the support of GP commissioners will be essential.

"I am in little doubt as to the public view on retaining services at Queen Mary's Hospital. But what is clear is that the views of local doctors will be pivotal in deciding what should happen.

That's why I've met with Bexley Care Trust and am arranging a series of meetings with local general practitioners.
"There has been some suggestion that the existing ‘A Picture of Health Plans' can continue regardless of the new requirements. I have been assured by local NHS managers that final decisions on the implementation of key service changes services will only be made if the Government's new criteria have been satisfied. The input of local GPs will be critical in determining the outcome."

Carers Week

Brokenshire calls for greater recognition for the UK's six million carers

Old Bexley and Sidcup MP, James Brokenshire, has teamed up with GMTV news reporter and presenter John Stapleton to support this year's Carers Week (14 - 20 June) and celebrate the contribution made by people in Old Bexley and Sidcup, and throughout the UK, who provide unpaid care for someone who is ill, frail or disabled.

The theme of Carers Week is ‘A Life of My Own' with calls for greater understanding and support for the army of carers who provide vital care for their families, friends and communities. In doing so, many sacrifice much in their own lives, unable to do the little things that most of us take for granted. All too often, these unsung heroes also suffer ill health.
James Brokenshire met up with John Stapleton at the House of Commons to pay tribute to carers, and to urge that they receive more support in their caring roles. James Brokenshire said:

"A trip to the cinema, or even a full night's sleep - these are luxuries for many of the thousands of carers in Old Bexley and Sidcup. I am supporting Carers Week and all those helping to raise awareness of carers, and their priceless contribution they make to our local community. I hope that as a result of Carers Week, many more carers will find out about services and support that exist to help them.

John Stapleton, who has cared for both his wife and his mother, said:

"Working without pay and often with little recognition - many carers give up their lives as they once knew them, but never give up on caring. They are not the forgotten few, but the forgotten millions. This Carers Week let's speak up for carers - let's not leave them isolated and lonely, financially, physically and emotionally broke. Let's start caring for the carers, give them back a life of their own."

Other celebrities supporting Carers Week, all of whom have had experience of caring, include: Lynda Bellingham, Cilla Black, Jonathan Dimbleby, Sir David Jason, Claire King, Phyllida Law, Miriam Margolyes, Angela Rippon and Tony Robinson.
Carers Week is organised by a partnership of 7 national charities: Carers UK, Counsel and Care, Crossroads Care, Help the Hospices, Macmillan Cancer Support, Parkinson's UK and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.

For information about Carers Week, including local events and activities, and where carers can find information and assistance, visit www.carersweek.org or call 0845 241 2582

Do Your Country Proud in South Africa

  As thousands of British football fans jet off for the World Cup in South Africa, James Brokenshire, Minister for Crime Prevention and MP for Old Bexley & Sidcup has called for good behaviour off the pitch to match what he hopes will be a strong performance on the pitch by England.

Mr Brokenshire said: 'I want England fans to have a great time, and enjoy what will be a unique event - the first World Cup in Africa. But I also want them to be sensible and behave themselves.

'It is now 10 years since the last major hooligan incident abroad, but the eyes of the world will still be upon England supporters.'

He revealed some details of an operation already underway, led by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers, to ensure that known football hooligans don't make it to South Africa.

Preparations for securing the World Cup have been years in the making, and a UK delegation of 11 expert football officers is working closely with South African colleagues to help keep the tournament safe.

This week, about 3,000 supporters with football banning orders were ordered to hand over their passports to police. This is in addition to the 9,000 people already barred from international tournaments since the banning orders were first introduced.

The work is supported by an operation where 18 air and sea ports will be manned by specialist police equipped with mobile passport scanners linked to the police national computer.

Mr Brokenshire said the Home Office and police are working hard to ensure that the tournament runs smoothly, as there is a lot at stake.

He said: 'With the London Olympics just two years away and an England World Cup bid on the table I want the fans to do their country proud.'