News

999 service gears up for the busiest night of the year

Published

5 years ago

December 28, 2018

THE EMERGENCY services 999 line has provided a lifeline for members of the public to contact the police, Fire, Ambulance or Coastguard for the last 80 years. It is the most memorable number in the UK and provides a vital service.

Six BT call centres handle the nation’s 999 calls in Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales and the North of England, passing calls to the relevant emergency service.

In the past year, BT says it’s team handled more than 34 million calls at an average of 93,000 per day. Of those calls connected to the emergency services, 49% were for the Police, 47% Ambulance, 4% Fire and less than 1% for the Coastguard.

As most people are winding down to enjoy the festive celebrations, calls to 999 are expected to surge, with teams working around the clock to deal with the demands.

Ian Watson, 999 Manager at BT, commented: “Our busiest period of the year is from about 9pm on New Year’s Eve to 3am on New Year’s morning when we receive almost half a day’s calls in just six hours with a peak of up to 9,000 calls per hour.”

Jane Larkin, Control Room Manager at North Yorkshire Police, stresses the demand on the Police service, commenting: “During the festive period, the public still need the assistance of the emergency services who are on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to provide a service. Traditionally from the Friday evening before Christmas up to New Year’s Day police forces deal with many extra calls.

The majority of these calls are from people in genuine need of policing services such as reporting people as missing, concern for people’s safety, attendance at serious road traffic collisions and violent incidents where excessive drinking has been a factor. In recent years there have also been requests for assistance caused by extreme seasonal weather patterns, such as flooding and heavy snow conditions.”

The 999 line handles thousands of critical calls but also some less well-judged requests. Calls that the police have received include:

“The Off Licence has closed early”
Requests for instructions on how to defrost a turkey
Requests for a lift home from the Police because no taxis are available.
“What time does Sainsbury’s close?”
“Can I apply to the Police Station for a licence for Santa’s sleigh?”
“My mobile phone is not working – can you help?”
A report of someone who is not sleeping very well – can the Police recommend a solution?
A man woke at home after drinking heavily wearing a pair of handcuffs and wanted to know how to remove them.

Jeremy Brown, Head of one of the Emergency Operations Centres commented: “Our staff work incredibly hard to make sure people get the help that they need as quickly as possible. On average they answer the call within just three seconds of it being put through by our colleagues at BT. At this time of year when our teams are dealing with a high volume of calls, we would urge people to think carefully before calling 999. The line exists to help in an emergency and calling unnecessarily distracts from those in need. If you are unsure whether to ring, try the 111 service first as even if you need an ambulance, it won’t delay help coming.”

As the front-line response team at BT and the emergency services gear up for the busiest night of the year, the public are advised to be mindful and only dial 999 in the case of an emergency

News

Beautiful, funny and lovely: Family pay tribute to Sian Batchelor

Published

2 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Tom Sinclair

THE family of a woman has paid tribute to a “beautiful, funny, lovely person.”

Sian Batchelor, aged 32, was found on a beach near Pennar, Pembroke Dock on Tuesday evening, April 30^th, 2024.

Her family has issued a statement to say: ‘We are devastated by our loss. Sian was a beautiful, funny, loving person. We will treasure the good times we had with her.

“We would now like time to grieve and would ask to be given privacy in which to do so.”

The circumstances surrounding Sian’s death are being investigated and police would like to hear from anyone with information, sightings of Sian or contact from Sian, between Thursday April 25 to Tuesday April 30.

Police can be contacted either online at: https://bit.ly/DPPContactOnline, by emailing [email protected], or by calling 101. If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech impaired text the non-emergency number on 07811 311 908.

Quote reference: DP-20240430-284

Entertainment

Carew Castle Car Show: A timeless journey on wheels

Published

2 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Tom Sinclair

The Carew Castle Car Show is gearing up to offer an enchanting day for automotive enthusiasts and families alike. Scheduled for Monday, 6 May, from 10 am to 3 pm, the event promises to showcase a splendid array of classic and vintage cars, motorbikes, and military vehicles, all set against the historic backdrop of Carew Castle and Tidal Mill.

This year, the event is drawing participants and spectators from across South Wales, each eager to feast their eyes on the mechanical beauties that symbolize different eras of motoring history. The show, which has become a must-visit for anyone with a penchant for automotive culture, is also a celebration of community and craftsmanship.

Adding to the vehicular allure, the event will feature live performances by the popular Pembrokeshire folk band ‘Razor Bill’, known for their vibrant and engaging musical style. Attendees can also enjoy the thrills of funfair rides brought by Pembrokeshire Attractions, ensuring that there’s something enjoyable for every age group.

For families, the Brilliant Birds Treasure Trail offers a delightful educational experience, allowing children and parents alike to explore the natural and historical richness of the area. Culinary treats will be available as well, with fresh Welshcakes and bacon rolls being served from the opening hour, perfect for those looking to indulge in local flavors.

Despite the excitement, the organizers remind attendees that the show’s occurrence is weather-dependent. However, with hopes high for a sunny day, the community is buzzing with anticipation.

Visitors should note that normal castle admission fees apply, but the ticket includes access to the car show, making it a value-packed day out. While the show is fully booked for exhibiting vehicles, showcasing the high demand and popularity of the event, there are plenty of reasons for spectators to attend and enjoy the varied offerings.

For those planning to attend, it’s an opportunity not just to admire the craftsmanship of vintage and classic vehicles, but also to immerse in the cultural and festive atmosphere that only Carew Castle can offer. With its combination of history, entertainment, and community spirit, the Carew Castle Car Show is set to be a highlight of this spring season in South Wales.

Health

Junior doctors secure strike extension in pay negotiations with WG

Published

2 hours ago

May 2, 2024

Tom Sinclair

BMA Cymru Wales has confirmed a positive development in its pay negotiations announcing that Junior doctors have secured a three-month extension to their overwhelming strike mandate.

This means that junior doctors in Wales now have the right to enact industrial action over their pay until 17 September 2024 instead of 17 June when the mandate was due to run out.

Recognising the strength of feeling amongst junior doctors and the overwhelming 98% vote by members in favour of industrial action back in December 2023, employers have agreed to honour this extension to allow talks with the Welsh Government to continue.

Co-chairs of the Welsh Junior Doctor Committee Dr Oba Babs-Osibodu and Dr Peter Fahey said of this development:

“We are pleased to be able to secure an extension to our overwhelming strike mandate. Whilst we hope to put an end to our pay dispute through pay negotiations by reaching a credible deal and restoring our pay, it was important to secure more time for our mandate.

“The extension allows us to focus on talks but also provides us with the scope to get organised and enact our legal right to strike should we need to. This is about honouring the emphatic mandate of our members.

“Doctors have experienced real terms pay cut of almost a third since 2008. They voted overwhelmingly to put an end to the devaluing of their service, they know they are not worth a third less than their predecessors and they know the time is now to stick up for the profession and turn the tide of the continued erosion of their pay once and for all”.

The Welsh Government and NHS employers have agreed to the extension as part of ongoing pay negotiations where all parties hope to reach an end to the pay dispute with junior doctors, SAS doctors and Consultants in Wales.

Last month, BMA Cymru Wales announced it was suspending forthcoming industrial action for Consultants and SAS doctors and putting plans on hold to announce more strike dates for junior doctors to allow pay negotiations to take place*.

The decision to enter pay negotiations was based on a significant proposal from the Welsh Government to form the basis of talks to end the pay disputes with all secondary care doctors including Consultants, SAS, and Junior doctors, with the aim of reaching deals which can be taken separately to their respective members.

In August last year, the BMA’s committees representing secondary care doctors in Wales voted to enter separate trade disputes with the Welsh Government after being offered another below inflation pay uplift of just 5% for the 23/24 financial year. SAS doctors on some contracts were offered as little as 1.5%. This was the lowest pay offer any government in the UK offered and less than the DDRB, the pay review body for doctors and dentists, recommended last year.

As part of their disputes, SAS doctors, consultants and junior doctors carried out successful ballots for industrial action. Since then, junior doctors have taken part in 10 days of industrial action since January this year.