Cannock Chase Council have provided venues with drink spiking kits and are encouraging residents to be vigilant this festive period - and to look out for the signs of drink spiking when socialising in pubs, bars and nightclubs.

Spiking is when someone puts alcohol or drugs into another person’s drink, or their body, without their knowledge or consent.

Food business Rugeley Spice, of Market Street in Rugeley, has been ordered to pay £29,000 in fines and costs following a successful food hygiene prosecution by Cannock Chase Council.

Rugeley Spice Indian Limited was sentenced on 16 December 2023 following an appearance at Cannock Magistrates Court on 5 September 2023, at which Mr Shamim Uddin, for the company, pleaded guilty to three offences under the Food Safety and Hygiene (England) Regulations 2013, including failing to prevent access by pests to the premises.

Following a small number of purse thefts in Cannock town centre, Cannock Chase Council’s Community Safety team has funded additional purse charms for residents in the district this winter.

Purse charms can alert you if someone is trying to steal your purse or wallet. This type of crime is called purse dipping and is most common in busy town centres, shops or public spaces.

A new toilet block at Elmore Park, Rugeley has been unveiled, giving visitors to the park access to two unisex toilets, one of which is accessible.