Friday, July 21, 2006
NHW Area Meeting
A Summary of Points Raised at the Area Neighbourhood Watch Meeting last night
Crime Reduction Officer Report.
There has been a serious increase in cycle thefts in the Maldon Area (including Great Totham) recently. Some cycles have been taken to provide a “ride home” and have been recovered. Others have vanished. Some of the bikes were insecure, but others have been hard work to steal, such as requiring the thief to cut a fence, and in another case, the bike was stolen from a back garden.
There are still incidents of purse dipping in Maldon, especially in the two big supermarkets. It’s believed this is the work of opportunists rather than gangs just now. (As a personal observation I can understand why. Have you seen the number of people who turn their backs on their handbags whilst shopping? It’s so easy to be absent-minded when looking for a bargain. We must all be more careful and not make things easy for the opportunist.-Evelyn)
Satellite Navigation systems are being stolen from cars.
With the start of the hot weather we have the start of burglaries in insecure premises. Entry is often through an open window, including upstairs windows, or windows that look too small to allow someone to pass through. If the temperature is soaring outside, it can actually make the house hotter to have windows open.
Street Lighting
The lights are about to go out in Maldon. In an effort to reduce greenhouse emissions and save money, Essex County Council are going to turn out all but “certain limited areas” from midnight to 5.00am.
This “Key decision” is being rushed through. It was published on 14th July, and will be signed on 24th July. This gives very little time for appropriate consultation with District and Parish Councils and the police.
This has led to high levels of concern amongst Maldon Residents, and with the police, who fear an increase in antisocial behaviour, crime, and fear of crime in the area.
Evelyn’s comments:-
Cutting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing light pollution are important aims. However, this shouldn’t be at the expense of public safety. I presently live in an area where there is no street lighting. In the winter this means walking in the dark with a torch. This is scary, though I tell myself it’s a low crime area. It’s also scary because the pavements are uneven and not every dog owner clears up after the dog. The local people tend to have bright front lights to compensate, which of course negates any saving in greenhouse emissions. And I know that our elderly residents in particular won’t walk in the dark, so would rather drive half a mile to the village hall. What does that do for greenhouse emissions?
Turning the lights out in Maldon might result in a midnight curfew, where the streets are avoided by all but the mischief-makers.
I am uneasy at the way this is being rushed through as a key decision, with very little time for appropriate consultation before the decision is made and ratified.
PCSO changes.
Maldon is saying goodbye to Brett. Brett is replaced by PCSO Neil Fitter, who will be patrolling Maldon town centre.
PCSO Steve Butler will be concentrating on the rural villages, and is presently teamed with PCSO Heather Owen.
There is ongoing recruitment of PCSOs in the area.
Crime Reduction Officer Report.
There has been a serious increase in cycle thefts in the Maldon Area (including Great Totham) recently. Some cycles have been taken to provide a “ride home” and have been recovered. Others have vanished. Some of the bikes were insecure, but others have been hard work to steal, such as requiring the thief to cut a fence, and in another case, the bike was stolen from a back garden.
There are still incidents of purse dipping in Maldon, especially in the two big supermarkets. It’s believed this is the work of opportunists rather than gangs just now. (As a personal observation I can understand why. Have you seen the number of people who turn their backs on their handbags whilst shopping? It’s so easy to be absent-minded when looking for a bargain. We must all be more careful and not make things easy for the opportunist.-Evelyn)
Satellite Navigation systems are being stolen from cars.
With the start of the hot weather we have the start of burglaries in insecure premises. Entry is often through an open window, including upstairs windows, or windows that look too small to allow someone to pass through. If the temperature is soaring outside, it can actually make the house hotter to have windows open.
Street Lighting
The lights are about to go out in Maldon. In an effort to reduce greenhouse emissions and save money, Essex County Council are going to turn out all but “certain limited areas” from midnight to 5.00am.
This “Key decision” is being rushed through. It was published on 14th July, and will be signed on 24th July. This gives very little time for appropriate consultation with District and Parish Councils and the police.
This has led to high levels of concern amongst Maldon Residents, and with the police, who fear an increase in antisocial behaviour, crime, and fear of crime in the area.
Evelyn’s comments:-
Cutting greenhouse gas emissions and reducing light pollution are important aims. However, this shouldn’t be at the expense of public safety. I presently live in an area where there is no street lighting. In the winter this means walking in the dark with a torch. This is scary, though I tell myself it’s a low crime area. It’s also scary because the pavements are uneven and not every dog owner clears up after the dog. The local people tend to have bright front lights to compensate, which of course negates any saving in greenhouse emissions. And I know that our elderly residents in particular won’t walk in the dark, so would rather drive half a mile to the village hall. What does that do for greenhouse emissions?
Turning the lights out in Maldon might result in a midnight curfew, where the streets are avoided by all but the mischief-makers.
I am uneasy at the way this is being rushed through as a key decision, with very little time for appropriate consultation before the decision is made and ratified.
PCSO changes.
Maldon is saying goodbye to Brett. Brett is replaced by PCSO Neil Fitter, who will be patrolling Maldon town centre.
PCSO Steve Butler will be concentrating on the rural villages, and is presently teamed with PCSO Heather Owen.
There is ongoing recruitment of PCSOs in the area.
# posted by Evelyn @ 1:40 AM 
