News reports located on this page = 3.

UK drivers not up to speed with necessary driving licence updates

44% of UK drivers don't know their driving licences must be renewed every 10 years, according to new research by Post Office. This confusion extends to nearly ⅓ not realising it is a necessary and legal requirement for driving licences to be updated following a name change (30%) or change of address (29%).  As a result, there is a lack of urgency amongst Britons regarding updating their driving licences, with many not well versed on the repercussions of driving without up to date documentation. Without checking, 51% don't know when their driving licence expires, and, upon checking, 9% people surveyed found theirs was out of date. With over 33 million driving licences in the UK, this means almost 3 million people possess an out of date licence, of which there are serious repercussions. 20% of people wrongly said a consequence of driving without an up to date licence is a fine of ₤250, but the reality is ₤1,000.  Not only do people need their driving licence to legally drive, but the research revealed 83% of people use it as a primary form of identification. This is led by the younger generation, with 16 to 24 year olds using their licence to prove their identity on average 8 times per month. In fact, 20% use their driving licence to verify their ID more than they drive.

The top 5 scenarios for using a driving licence to prove identity are:-

► Picking up a parcel (54%)

► Hiring a car (41% in the UK and 35% abroad)

► Proving age to gain access to a bar (34%)

► Proving age to purchase products in a retail environment (34%)

► Starting a new job (27%)

There is clearly a demand for more support to be provided to guide the process of updating driving licences, with 29% of people saying they would feel more confident if they were supported through the process.   Martin Edwards, Managing Director, Identity Services at Post Office said:- "When it comes to renewing their driving licence, so many people are nervous about getting it wrong, and having to repeat the process. This has implications not only for driving legally, with the majority of people using their driving licence as their primary source of ID for a range of everyday products and services. "It is quick and easy for customers to renew their driving licence at the Post Office, ensuring they can continue to drive legally and prove their identity to access services."

Post Office provides a range of everyday essential identity services from passport and driving licence application and renewals, to identity verification for the UK Government's digital services. For more information on driving licence applications and renewals, visit:- PostOffice.Co.UK.

Merseyside sees surge in electricity theft for drug cultivation

NEW analysis by Direct Line for Business reveals a surge in the number of Police investigations into the theft of electricity, where people have tampered with a gas or electricity meter, so it doesn't properly record the energy used in England and Wales and its use in cannabis farming. Just 3 Police Dorces across England and Wales account for 32% of all investigations into the theft of electricity. Greater Manchester Police handled 14% of all investigations into the theft of electricity since 2017, with 710 cases recorded between 2017 and the end of June 2019, followed by West Yorkshire Police (12%) with 602 investigations. Merseyside Police handled 7% with 376 cases, 32% of which were drug related.

Analysis of 2019 data reveals that Police investigations into the theft of electricity are projected to be 13% higher in 2019 than in 2018. There are expected to be 2,200 cases in 2019 compared to 1,950 in 2018, a rise of 250 cases. Those tampering with energy meters risk electrocution, severe burns and increase the risk of fire in a property as exposed wires and connections can easily become superheated.

In 23% of cases, Police suspected electricity was being stolen for the cultivation or manufacture of illegal drugs. Since the start of 2017 there have been over 5,200 cases investigating the theft of electricity, an average of 7 cases opened every day. People can receive a significant prison term for electricity theft alone, with a starting point of 12 weeks' custody for serious offenders. For those found guilty of running a cannabis operation, capable of producing industrial quantities for commercial use, a criminal can expect to be jailed for between 4 and 8 years.

The scale of illegal drug cultivation in the UK is reinforced by analysis that shows in the financial year 2017/18 Police seized an average of 964 cannabis plants every single day, with a total of 352,000 plants confiscated. Cannabis seizures represented 72% of all drug seizures in England and Wales in 2018, with a total of 98,000 seizures across all Police Forces. The Metropolitan Police alone carried out 25,880 seizures related to cannabis, accounting for 26% of the England and Wales total. West Yorkshire Police (3,649), West Midlands Police (3,605) and Sussex Police (3,599) also made significant seizures.

Sarah Larkin, Landlord Product Manager at Direct Line for Business, said:- "Illegal cannabis farms pose a huge threat to the health and security of neighbourhoods across the country and are a major concern for landlords. Landlords can unwittingly become victim of unscrupulous drug dealers who abuse their properties and transform them into cannabis factories. Not only can these landlords find themselves involved in a Police investigation, but they often have to contend with thousands of pounds worth of damage caused to their properties."

Analysis of insurance claims data reveals there has been an increase in the number of malicious damage claims resulting from the cultivation of cannabis in 2019. Insurance claims 45 from landlords whose properties have been converted into illegal cannabis farms account for a ⅓ of the total value of all malicious damage claims received. 1 in every 9 landlord claims related to malicious damage because a tenant had been using a landlord's property for the illegal cultivation of cannabis.

The cultivation of cannabis can result in huge damage to a property, resulting from mould and water leakage from hydroponics and irrigation systems used. Claims also show criminals tampering with electricity supplies in a property, knocking through walls for ventilation and causing damage by installing fortifications to stop easy access.

Signs a property may be being used as a cannabis farm:-

► The tenant wishes to pay cash upfront for the lease and is keen to discourage any inspections of the property.

► Windows and vents sealed or blocked off to prevent heat or the smell of cannabis escaping.

► Tampering with the electricity meter or wiring.

► Mould, condensation and excess humidity in a property.

► Fertiliser and an excess of gardening equipment for the size of the property's garden.

► Fortification of the building, such as an increased number of locks or window bars installed.

► Noise and light pollution from ventilation fans and lamps.

Applications to ₤500,000 fund for Windrush Day celebrations 2020 open

COMMUNITIES across the North West can bid for a share of ₤500,000 funding to celebrate the outstanding contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants to the nation's social, economic, political and religious life. The annual Grant Scheme opened as communities around the country celebrate Black History Month. The fund will provide up to ₤25,000 to local Councils, charities and community groups seeking to host events for Windrush Day 2020. This follows the inaugural national Windrush Day earlier this year when the Grant Scheme supported community groups and Councils across the North West to celebrate the extraordinary local stories of the Windrush generation and their descendants with six groups receiving a share of ₤56,181. This included the Manchester based Louise Da-Cocodia Education Trust who developed the:- 'Women of the Soil' project with support from the Windrush Day Grant Scheme. This project is committed to ensuring that the voices of Black women and girls of all ages are heard. The grant helped fund a powerful performance celebrating Windrush women. Last week Communities Minister Viscount Younger met with members of the Louise Da-Cocodia Education Trust as they rehearsed for:- 'Windrush Women - Backbone of the NHS,' which was watched by over 200 people, on Friday, 11 October 2019.

Communities Secretary, Rt Hon Robert Jenrick MP said:- "The 1st national Windrush Day earlier this year saw communities across the country celebrate and honour the lasting impact of the Windrush Generation and their descendants. Today we are opening applications for funding for Windrush Day 2020 to ensure that we continue to commemorate a seminal moment in Britain's history for generations to come. The North West is a diverse region and has a thriving British Caribbean community whose valuable contribution to the everyday life in the region should be celebrated. I encourage local authorities and community groups in the area to bid for a share of the ₤500,000 Windrush Day Grant Scheme to help reach even more local people with commemorations next year."

Dr Diane Watt, Trustee of the Louise Da-Cocodia Education Trust said:- "The Windrush Day Grant enabled the Louise Da-Cocodia Education Trust to create a professional stage production aimed at acknowledging and celebrating the contributions of the Windrush generation to the development of the NHS. Furthermore, in focusing on the invaluable contribution to the NHS of four generation of women from the same family, the production was aimed at informing and inspiring younger women in particularly those of African Caribbean heritage to not only empower themselves but also their community."

This year saw the first national Windrush Day take place, with activities and events taking place up and down the country. Through educational workshops, theatre performances and historical exhibitions communities honoured that landmark day over 70 years ago when the Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury Docks.