Tuesday, September 26, 2006
Maldon Section Neighbourhood Watch meeting 26th Sept 06
Lights Out
The Chairman of Maldon Section NHW has send out a letter to Councillor Rodney Bass and MP John Whittingdale regarding the proposed turning out of many of the street lights between 12.00 and 5.00am, on behalf of Maldon Section Neighbourhood Watch.
Dear Councillor Bass,
I am writing on behalf of the Neighbourhood Watch coordinators in Maldon to express the concerns of many of us regarding the potential increase in car crime, burglary and antisocial behaviour which may follow the turning off of street lighting in our area, which is one of the pilots for this scheme. In addition there may be increased difficulties for those outside at night with regard to personal safety and road safety.
The concern is that whole areas will be in darkness, rather than a reduction in lighting, which would be justified on environmental grounds Please advise us of your intentions regarding this aspect.
In addition, CCTV cameras may be ineffective as a result of reduced lighting. Please advise us whether this has been taken into consideration
Finally the fear of crime, which many darkened areas may cause is very difficult to quantify or measure, but is a factor which should be taken into consideration, particularly for elderly of disabled people
I look forward to your reply and hope that you will take the matters raised into consideration.
We have received a reply from Tony Ciaburro, Service Director for Highways and Transportation, Essex County Council. I have reproduced the import of the letter.
I understand the concerns you have raised and can assure you that your views, along with the many others we have received, will be included in the evaluation process we have planned for this proposal.
The detail of the pilot scheme in the \Maldon and Uttlesford areas is still being considered and you can be assured that no decisions will be made until consultation with local district and parish councils and the police have taken place,. The county council is mindful that some areas are more vulnerable than others and the areas you mention such as where CCTV is installed will be considered before implementing the pilot scheme.
Environmentally the reduction in carbon emissions is an issue that Essex county council is trying to address and the switching to part night lighting will make a significant contribution.
Crime Reduction Officer for Maldon Police Ray Stannard’s Report.
Handbag Thefts are still a problem in the two major supermarkets in Maldon. Whereas before this was “Purse Dipping”, this is now the whole handbag which is being taken. Before, it was thought to be organised gangs coming into the area. Now this problem is thought to be local opportunists.
Don’t turn your back on your handbag when looking at the shelves. (We know that, don’t we, but we still do it!)
Car crime.
At the moment this is mainly criminal damage in the Maldon and Heybridge areas. Thefts from cars are down. Sat Nav theft has died down. (But don’t get complacent.)
The “Polish Problem”
The vast majority of migrant workers such as Poles in this country are hard working and honest. However, there are some Polish people going around the area, often a woman or women. They carry a card with a few written words, or sometimes a pencil drawing, saying something along the lines of “I need money” for some sad story. This started at Burnham and is now across the district. Whilst calling on people like this isn’t necessarily a crime, there have been 2 or 3 incidents where the callers have physically forced their way into the property and taken some money.
Some of our old folk can be a bit of a ‘soft touch’, falling for a sad story.
If you are called on by such people, can you inform the police immediately, please.
Saying, “Oh, they were here last week” isn’t as helpful.
Burglary.
We haven’t had the “summer problem” like we had last year.
However, town centre shops staff rooms have been targeted, with handbags stolen, including money, house and car keys. This represents considerable cost to the victim, who then has to change house and car locks.
Please keep an eye on Engineering type properties, those having “scrap” metal such as steel and copper piping. There have been a number of thefts of such material from Tollesbury to Maldon. This isn’t small amounts; tons are going missing, £20,000 worth; serious losses This would need the right equipment to shift it. If you see anything you think is suspicious, please dial 999 immediately
On the “Home Front” there have been a number of Fixed Penalty Notices issued for Antisocial Behaviour. One night was particularly bad with five £80 FPNs being issue for urinating in the street.
Any Other Business.
The next Chelmsford Police and Community Consultative Group Public Meeting is on Tuesday 10th Oct 06 at King Edwards Grammar School, Broomfield Road, Chelmsford.
The new opening hours for Maldon Police station are
Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, 9.00am to 5.00pm
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the Police Station will be open from 8,00am to 8.00pm.
(This refers to the front office being open to the public. It doesn’t mean that nobody’s there the rest of the time.)
The Chief Constable of Essex has agreed in principle to Paid Coordinator.
Ray asked the coordinators if we would be happy to see a part time Neighbourhood Watch position funded by the police to cover the district, facilitating communication between the Police and the Coordinators and hence to the public. This was approved of by all the coordinators present. This is still very much in the discussion stage, unlikely to be introduced before the next financial year, and the exact details of such a post would need thinking out and some fine tuning. It’s hoped to use the “Ringmaster “ scheme of texts, phones and emails to get the information out quickly.
The next Maldon Section NHW meeting is on 30th November. If you’d like an issue raised, please contact me. (Linda) Or, if it’s not personal, leave a comment on the Blog
The Chairman of Maldon Section NHW has send out a letter to Councillor Rodney Bass and MP John Whittingdale regarding the proposed turning out of many of the street lights between 12.00 and 5.00am, on behalf of Maldon Section Neighbourhood Watch.
Dear Councillor Bass,
I am writing on behalf of the Neighbourhood Watch coordinators in Maldon to express the concerns of many of us regarding the potential increase in car crime, burglary and antisocial behaviour which may follow the turning off of street lighting in our area, which is one of the pilots for this scheme. In addition there may be increased difficulties for those outside at night with regard to personal safety and road safety.
The concern is that whole areas will be in darkness, rather than a reduction in lighting, which would be justified on environmental grounds Please advise us of your intentions regarding this aspect.
In addition, CCTV cameras may be ineffective as a result of reduced lighting. Please advise us whether this has been taken into consideration
Finally the fear of crime, which many darkened areas may cause is very difficult to quantify or measure, but is a factor which should be taken into consideration, particularly for elderly of disabled people
I look forward to your reply and hope that you will take the matters raised into consideration.
We have received a reply from Tony Ciaburro, Service Director for Highways and Transportation, Essex County Council. I have reproduced the import of the letter.
I understand the concerns you have raised and can assure you that your views, along with the many others we have received, will be included in the evaluation process we have planned for this proposal.
The detail of the pilot scheme in the \Maldon and Uttlesford areas is still being considered and you can be assured that no decisions will be made until consultation with local district and parish councils and the police have taken place,. The county council is mindful that some areas are more vulnerable than others and the areas you mention such as where CCTV is installed will be considered before implementing the pilot scheme.
Environmentally the reduction in carbon emissions is an issue that Essex county council is trying to address and the switching to part night lighting will make a significant contribution.
Crime Reduction Officer for Maldon Police Ray Stannard’s Report.
Handbag Thefts are still a problem in the two major supermarkets in Maldon. Whereas before this was “Purse Dipping”, this is now the whole handbag which is being taken. Before, it was thought to be organised gangs coming into the area. Now this problem is thought to be local opportunists.
Don’t turn your back on your handbag when looking at the shelves. (We know that, don’t we, but we still do it!)
Car crime.
At the moment this is mainly criminal damage in the Maldon and Heybridge areas. Thefts from cars are down. Sat Nav theft has died down. (But don’t get complacent.)
The “Polish Problem”
The vast majority of migrant workers such as Poles in this country are hard working and honest. However, there are some Polish people going around the area, often a woman or women. They carry a card with a few written words, or sometimes a pencil drawing, saying something along the lines of “I need money” for some sad story. This started at Burnham and is now across the district. Whilst calling on people like this isn’t necessarily a crime, there have been 2 or 3 incidents where the callers have physically forced their way into the property and taken some money.
Some of our old folk can be a bit of a ‘soft touch’, falling for a sad story.
If you are called on by such people, can you inform the police immediately, please.
Saying, “Oh, they were here last week” isn’t as helpful.
Burglary.
We haven’t had the “summer problem” like we had last year.
However, town centre shops staff rooms have been targeted, with handbags stolen, including money, house and car keys. This represents considerable cost to the victim, who then has to change house and car locks.
Please keep an eye on Engineering type properties, those having “scrap” metal such as steel and copper piping. There have been a number of thefts of such material from Tollesbury to Maldon. This isn’t small amounts; tons are going missing, £20,000 worth; serious losses This would need the right equipment to shift it. If you see anything you think is suspicious, please dial 999 immediately
On the “Home Front” there have been a number of Fixed Penalty Notices issued for Antisocial Behaviour. One night was particularly bad with five £80 FPNs being issue for urinating in the street.
Any Other Business.
The next Chelmsford Police and Community Consultative Group Public Meeting is on Tuesday 10th Oct 06 at King Edwards Grammar School, Broomfield Road, Chelmsford.
The new opening hours for Maldon Police station are
Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, 9.00am to 5.00pm
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, the Police Station will be open from 8,00am to 8.00pm.
(This refers to the front office being open to the public. It doesn’t mean that nobody’s there the rest of the time.)
The Chief Constable of Essex has agreed in principle to Paid Coordinator.
Ray asked the coordinators if we would be happy to see a part time Neighbourhood Watch position funded by the police to cover the district, facilitating communication between the Police and the Coordinators and hence to the public. This was approved of by all the coordinators present. This is still very much in the discussion stage, unlikely to be introduced before the next financial year, and the exact details of such a post would need thinking out and some fine tuning. It’s hoped to use the “Ringmaster “ scheme of texts, phones and emails to get the information out quickly.
The next Maldon Section NHW meeting is on 30th November. If you’d like an issue raised, please contact me. (Linda) Or, if it’s not personal, leave a comment on the Blog
# posted by Evelyn @ 3:52 PM 
Comments:
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Someone remarked today that they would not enjoy having a street light outside their house. She lives in one of the villages which have little or no street lighting.
But then, in the villages, we tend to jump in the car to go anywhere, or are safely tucked up in bed at midnight (no rude jokes please!) Perhaps we don't need so many street lights.
There may well be a case for switiching off some lights, and reducing greenhouse emmissions is essential, but it needs to be done with thought.
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But then, in the villages, we tend to jump in the car to go anywhere, or are safely tucked up in bed at midnight (no rude jokes please!) Perhaps we don't need so many street lights.
There may well be a case for switiching off some lights, and reducing greenhouse emmissions is essential, but it needs to be done with thought.
# posted by 
: 10:56 AM
: 10:56 AM << Home
