This
is a message from the Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue Service warning
to childminders after an unofficial fire safety inspection:
Royal Berkshire Fire and Rescue
Service (RBFRS) is warning childminders to be on their guard after a man
visited a childminder’s home in the Bracknell Forest area recently,
claiming he was there to conduct a fire safety inspection.
The man reportedly turned up
unannounced at the lady’s home, inspected the premises and gave her
detailed fire safety advice. Fire safety forms part of childminders’
licensing requirements, which are issued and regulated by the Local
Authority. Any fire safety inspections will only ever be carried out by
RBFRS, in conjunction with the Local Authority, and not by a third party.
Chris Bunyan, Group Manager for
Protection at RBFRS, said: “Firstly, I would like to make it clear that
no children were harmed during this visit, nor is there any information
to suggest that there was any intention to do so. However, as it is not
clear what this man’s motives were in visiting the childminder’s
premises, we have reported it to Thames Valley Police, who are currently
investigating.
“I would also like to remind
childminders that fire safety inspections at their premises are only
carried out once an appointment has been made, so a legitimate Fire
Officer will not just turn up unannounced.
“In addition, our fire safety
inspectors will always show you their ID card, which clearly shows their
name and photo, along with their unique RBFRS identification number.
However, if you are in any doubt as to whether this is authentic or not,
please telephone RBFRS on 0118 945 2888 to double check.
“Childminders have to comply with
Local Authority licensing requirements, not fire safety legislation
applying to commercial premises, so there is no reason for anyone other
than an official fire and rescue service or Local Authority
representative to offer any kind of fire safety advice.”
A spokesman for Thames Valley
Police, said: “If you have any information about bogus callers please
contact the Thames Valley Police Enquiry Centre on 101.
“If you don't want to speak directly
to the police you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org. No personal details are taken, information is not traced or recorded and you will not go to court.”
