Photo ID will be needed to vote in May elections
For the first time, residents in England will need to show photographic ID at polling stations to vote at this year’s local elections. Breckland Council is urging residents to make sure they are ready to vote in the upcoming local government elections in May by checking they have an accepted form of ID.
Accepted forms of ID include a UK, European Economic Area (EEA) or Commonwealth passport; a UK, EEA or Commonwealth drivers’ licence; and some concessionary travel passes, such as an older person’s bus pass or an Oyster 60+ card. Voters will be able to use expired ID if they are still recognisable from the photo.
Anyone who does not have one of the accepted forms of ID will be able to apply for free ID online at www.voter-authority-certificate.service.gov.uk/ or by completing a paper form.
The full list of accepted ID is available on the Electoral Commission’s website, along with more information about the new requirement and details of how to apply for the free ID, at electoralcommission.org.uk/voterID.
Ailsa Irvine, Director of Electoral Administration and Guidance, said:
“Anyone voting at a polling station in England this May will need to show photo ID before they can be given their ballot paper. It’s important that everyone understands what types of ID they can use, and how to apply for free ID if they need it. You can find information about the new requirement and what to expect at the polling station on the Electoral Commission’s website.”
Maxine O’Mahony, Returning Officer at Breckland Council said:
“With elections taking place in Breckland on 4 May 2023, it is important that those who want to vote make sure they have an accepted form of ID. It may seem early but checking now means you will be ready to vote in May.”
Residents who do not have one of the accepted forms of ID can apply for free ID either online or by completing a paper application form and sending this to Breckland Council’s electoral services team. If you need any help with applying for the free ID or want to request an application form, contact the electoral services team via [email protected] or call 01362 656 870
Anyone who wants to have their say in the elections this May must also be registered to vote. If you haven’t previously registered, it only takes five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Voters wishing to apply to their council for free ID should first make sure they are registered to vote.
The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station, is a new requirement, introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act which was passed last year and comes into effect for the first time this May.
Notes:
For more information contact Breckland Council via [email protected] or the Electoral Commission press office on 020 7271 0704, out of office hours 07789 920 414 or [email protected]
Notes to editors
1. The requirement to show photo ID at the polling station, is a new requirement, introduced by the UK Government’s Elections Act which was passed last year.
2. The legislation requires voters at polling stations to show an accepted form of photo ID before they receive their ballot paper. From May, voters will need to show photo ID before voting in local council elections in England, parliamentary by-elections, and police and crime commissioner elections in England and Wales. From October 2023, photo ID will be needed at UK parliamentary general elections. It will not be a requirement at local elections in Scotland or Wales, or elections to Scottish Parliament or Senedd. The requirement already exists in Northern Ireland.
3. Applications for the free ID available, called the Voter Authority Certificate, are expected to open in January.
4. To apply for the Voter Authority Certificate, voters will need to provide a photo, full name, date of birth, the address at which they are registered to vote and their National Insurance number.
. The UK Government’s Department for Levelling up, Housing and Communities is responsible for the new voter ID policy and for the free voter ID application system. Enquiries relating to the application system or the policy itself should be directed to the Department.
6. The Electoral Commission is responsible for ensuring voters are aware of the new voter ID requirement, and for supporting local authorities with the process. Questions related to the public awareness campaign should be directed to the Electoral Commission.
7. Local authorities are responsible for implementing voter ID at the local level.
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Platinum Jubilee
The Platinum Jubilee was celebrated in style in Rushford; residents from all over Brettenham and Kilverstone Parish had been invited invited. Lady Fisher read the Proclamation, after which the beacon was lit, cake and refreshments served.
Platinum Jubilee Flyer 2
| Residents urged to be alert to courier fraud scam |
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Residents are being warned about a courier fraud scam operating in Norfolk by suspects claiming to be police officers.
In the last few weeks, police have seen a rise in incident where cold-callers will make efforts to defraud victims of money, often stating they need to withdraw large sums in connection with an investigation.
Officers are investigating an incident which happened on Tuesday (6 July) where a woman in West Winch was conned out of £4,200. Following a cold-call from a man claiming to be a police officer, the victim went to her bank and withdrew the money, believing she was helping an investigation into counterfeit money. After withdrawing money, she returned home where a ‘courier’ collected the cash, and telephoned the victim later on to confirm it was counterfeit.
A second attempt that day is also being investigated after a man from Clenchwarton was cold-called by someone claiming to be from Hertforshire Police who said they were investigating a theft from the victim’s bank account. The man was asked to withdraw £9,000 which would be collected following day. The victim managed to withdraw £2,000 and told a family member about the incident who immediately reported it to police. No money was handed over.
Detective Inspector Richard Weller, from Swaffham CID, urged people to make elderly or vulnerable relatives and neighbours aware of the scam.
He said: “This type of courier fraud is nothing new; suspects will often approach victims under the guise of a police officer, bank or government department, in an effort to win trust and encourage people to go along with the scam.
“They will often use a range of techniques and in these most recent incidents, cold callers claim to be police officers investigating bank account thefts and counterfeit money. These scammers can be really convincing, making the caller feel they are helping a genuine police investigation, compelling them to withdraw the money. Suspects will then arrange to collect the money from the victim.
“More often than not, we’re talking large sums of cash into the thousands which is ultimately people’s savings and funds they rely on.
“Police officers will never ask you to withdraw money, or send someone to collect money. We know scammers target the elderly and I would urge people to make their family members, friends and neighbours aware of this scam and the warning signs.”
Further advice includes:
- Your bank or the police will NEVER ask for your PIN, bank card or bank account details over the phone – never give these details to anybody.
- Neither the police nor the banks will send a courier to collect money from you.
- Always request Photo ID and if unsure call the police.
- If you’re asked to telephone a bank, then always do it on a different phone to the one you were contacted on.
- Fraudsters will keep the line open and have been known to play ringtones, hold music and a recorded message down the phone so the victim believes they are making a call to a legitimate number. Ensure you can hear a dialling tone before calling police or use a friend or neighbour’s telephone instead.
- Do not rush into complying to the scammers demands / requests.
- If you have already given your bank details over the phone or handed your card details to a courier, call you bank straight away to cancel the card
If anyone has received a similar type of telephone call or has any information about these incidents. Contact Norfolk Police on 101 quoting Operation Radium.
Alternatively, Contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111.
If you believe a crime is in progress, always call 999.
For further advice, head to the Action Fraud website: www.actionfraud.police.uk or call 0300 123 2040. |
Police Connect SCAM Aware
Sent on behalf of the OPCCN:
The Norfolk County Community Safety Partnership (NCCSP) has launched an eight-week consultation to understand what residents believe will make Norfolk a safer place to live, work and visit.
The NCCSP develops a Community Safety Plan which sets out the priorities which partners will focus on. Having carried out an assessment of crime and community safety issues, the NCCSP has drafted a new three-year plan which proposes seven priorities.
The partnership now wants to hear from Norfolk residents whether they feel the priorities correctly reflect the issues which matter most to them.
The proposed priorities are:
- Serious violence
- Domestic and sexual abuse
- Preventing terrorism
- Criminal exploitation, including modern slavery and county lines drug dealing
- Neighbourhood crimes like robbery, burglary, anti-social behaviour, vehicle crime and other theft offences
- Hate crime and community tensions
- Fraud
The NCCSP brings together organisations from across Norfolk to tackle crime and disorder, and ensure the county remains a safe place for all.
The partnership is currently supported by the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk (OPCCN) and is chaired by the OPCCN Chief Executive Mark Stokes.
The consultation will run for eight weeks from 24 May 2021, closing on 16 July 2021.
For more information on the priorities and proposed outcomes and to take part in the survey visit https://www.norfolk-pcc.gov.uk/police-and-crime-plan/working-in-partnership/community-safety/nccsp-strategic-plan-consultation/
Helping People Get Back into Work
ANGLIAN WATER WORKS
From: Rebecca Housden
Sent: 17 May 2021 14:33
Subject: Anglian Water Upcoming Work
Good afternoon,
I hope you are keeping well,
I am getting in touch to let you know about an upcoming project in the Thetford area. We are investing £10 million to install a 10.7km pipeline in Thetford; improving the water supply in the area.
This work is important because it will allow us to move water to where it is needed, which will make the supply more reliable and reduce the number of homes and businesses which rely on a single source of water supply. It will also help secure water supplies for growth in the area, meaning that everyone has access to safe, clean and plentiful water for years to come. We plan to begin on phase 4 in June 2021 and expect the overall scheme to be complete by February 2022.
We have a dedicated website for this scheme which can be found here. We are also holding a virtual event from today until Monday 24 May 2021. The event can be accessed via the website link, during the event you will be able to interact with the project constraints map, view our animated construction video, complete our feedback form and more!
We have also posted on our social media channel here. I would grateful if you could share this information anywhere you feel would benefit. Letters and emails have been sent to customers with information and links on how to access the event. Please do let me know if you have any questions.
All the best,
Becky Housden
Customer Service Coordinator
Mobile: 07801 662998
Anglian Water @one Alliance
Thorpe Wood House, Thorpe Wood, Peterborough, Cambridgeshire, PE3 6WT
NORFOLK LOCAL ACCESS FORUM VOLUNTEERS SOUGHT
Dear Colleague
For information – and wider circulation.
Norfolk Local Access Forum volunteer vacancies
I am emailing to let you know that the Norfolk Local Access Forum is seeking new members and to ask if you could please promote the recruitment in your capacity as parish clerk (or parish representative) to your local community.
The Norfolk Local Access Forum is comprised of up to 22 people covering a range of interests in countryside access in Norfolk, including: walking; cycling; horse riding; landowners; conservation; other interests (including health, tourism, business, access for all, heritage, education). The Forum provides independent advice to a number of organisations including Norfolk County Council on improving access to the countryside in Norfolk.
We are looking for enthusiastic and proactive people with a passion for the outdoors with good communication skills to fill 5 volunteer vacancies on the Forum. These new members will represent the following interest areas: young people (or those who can represent young people); all abilities access; land at the water’s edge (anglers, boaters, swimmers); BME; health and wellbeing.
Further information and a link to the online recruitment form can be found here: www.norfolk.gov.uk/nlaf
If you have any queries, please email [email protected] or contact 0344 800 8020
The closing date for applications is 21st June 2021
https://twitter.com/NorfolkLAF/status/1390616169523056640?s=20
Best wishes, Su
Su Waldron, Project Officer
Community and Environmental Services
Tel: 01603 222810
Floor 6 County Hall, Norwich, NR1 2SG
10th November 2020
BRECKLAND TOWN AND PARISH COUNCILS
I am contacting all Town and Parish Councils across Breckland to seek your help in encouraging your community to take part in Census 2021.
Please visit The Census 2021 website www.census.gov.uk which has comprehensive Census information.
There are also part time temporary LOCAL JOBS available at www.censusjobs.co.uk
Taking part in the census is so important, as it gathers essential information that’s used for things that affect your community.
Public bodies use census information to help plan and fund services like housing, education and healthcare. Charities and businesses also use it to inform their work.
If you need help to promote the census, visit our Downloadable resources page. Here, we’ll provide resources that you can use in your community. There’ll be a range of materials from leaflets and posters to content for newsletters and social media posts.
Keep checking the page regularly, as we’ll add more as the census gets closer.
If you feel a presentation may be helpful or you have any Census related questions please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Paul Walmsley
Census Engagement Manager,
Office for National Statistics
+44 (0)7452 942306
[email protected]
www.census.gov.uk
Census
Norfolk Constabulary
