Speaking up for victims of domestic abuse
With so many of us confined to our homes during the coronavirus pandemic, domestic abuse helplines have, alarmingly, reported a significant increase in cases of domestic violence.
community safety
Always in lockdown
Being confined to our homes during the COVID-19 pandemic has been very difficult for all of us. We are bored, worried, and want to return to our normal life quickly. Hopefully, after a few more weeks, we will be able to do so.
Improving the response to domestic abuse
Domestic abuse is a devastating crime and an issue to which I have dedicated my whole professional life.
Councils warn of rise in coronavirus-related scams
Self-isolating older and vulnerable residents are at risk of being exploited by strangers and cold callers posing as helpful neighbours in order to scam them, councils up and down the country have been warning.
Disrupting modern slavery
The LGA has published new guidance on how to spot and tackle modern slavery in hand car washes and privately rented housing.
‘Scandalous’ car seat waste
The LGA has called on manufacturers to recycle the child car seats they produce and, alongside retailers, offer take-back services so parents can return them instead of throwing them away.
‘No knife shop’ pledge
Retailers, including online businesses, need to stop selling knives by default to help tackle the knife-crime epidemic, the LGA has said.
Smoke alarm 'failure' rate
Almost 40 per cent of battery-powered smoke alarms failed to activate in residential fires in England in the past year – a level that has remained virtually unchanged in nearly a decade, according to LGA analysis of official figures.
Grenfell inquiry ‘should focus on building safety’
The 1,000-page phase one report into the Grenfell Tower fire has concluded that fewer people would have died in the 2017 fire if the London Fire Brigade had taken certain actions earlier.
Child slavery referrals up eight-fold
Referrals by English councils of potential child victims of modern slavery have soared by 800 per cent in five years, the LGA has warned.