maybe the time has come to produce a new newsheet and distribute but also have it displayed on the noticeboard. Also, put up material relating to the Residents Association (as was/is?) plus Neighbourhood Watch as was/is?

----- Original Message -----
 
From:  Emma  Nye <mailto:Emma.Nye@...>  
 
To: LocalWatch@...  
 
Sent: Friday, September 07, 2007 11:43  AM
 
Subject: [SPAM] Re: [LocalWatch] A few  bits and pieces
 

 
 

Dear  All,

Someone from the Council has given me keys for the notice board so  if anyone has something they would like to put on it, please get in touch with  me via the local watch.

Regards

Emma

 

 
 

Dear  all,

See below for alert from local thin blue line. For what it's  worth, the builders had three spades nicked from next door's front garden  the other week. Good to know they are getting some use at last. I had to  lend them mine when they finally turned up (and had some difficulty getting  it back again). Not much change there then.

Below are the latest  three missives from the Crouch End team. I haven't had one lately from the  Hornsey SNT and couldn't make Wednesday's ward panel meeting because I was  gated due to bad behaviour. Things seem to have gone a bit quiet on the  Hornsey newsletter front.

Also, has anyone notice the sparkling new  community noticeboard at the top of Rathcoole Gdns? What are we going to put  on it? A load of graffiti? Before someone else beats us to it?

The  somewhat over the top direct parking action at the foot of Rathcoole Gdns is  not very nice, but understandable. Any views on this?

See attachments  on how to achieve peace on  earth.

Bruno


Dear All,  
The purpose of this email is to alert you to a  recent spate of burglary offences in and around Crouch End, Stroud Green  area. There have been several offences over the past few evenings where  entry has been gained to homes using garden equipement left out or in  unlocked sheds. As yet Hornsey Ward has not suffered this type of crime but  clearly we all need to remain vigilant and ensure criminal oportunities are  kept a minimum. please feel free to pass this information to your  neighbours. I have attached some basic crime prevention advice as a  reminder.
<<Crime Prevention.doc>>
Thanks for your  attention
Mark Donkin  PC257YR  
Mark Donkin PC257YR  93/186915
Safer Neighbourhoods  (Hornsey)
Mobex 020  87212905
E-Mail  Hornsey.snt@...



Crouch End Direct Issue  8

A mixed bag this week. There remain too many burglary offences  being committed, however the motor vehicle offences were well down. This may  well be due to the fact that the team worked later shifts last week to try  and combat this problem, along with anti social behaviour issues. The teams'  duties this week will reflect the fact that the burglaries are largely being  committed during daytime hours and that the schools reopen, bringing the  influx of young people to the Broadway at lunchtimes. We are patrolling  largely on bikes at the moment. Firstly as it is an effective way of getting  to all parts of the Ward to try and combat the problems we are experiencing  and also the high visibility nature of the jackets hopefully sends out a  re-assuring message to local people that we are out and about. The details  of this weeks crimes of interest..      

Crime:
Burglary:
The  figures don't make enjoyable reading. Laptops are the number one item being  targeted and again there is little information on suspects, notwithstanding  possible forensic evidence that may be recovered from the scenes.  

Elm Grove             Fri/Mon      2230 - 1100      rear sash  window forced             toiletries
Coolhurst  Road       Sat/Mon     1030  - 1050      Front sash window damaged           no entry  gained
Topsfield Parade     Sat/Mon      0400 - 1850      front door  forced                   laptop  / alcohol
Elm Grove             Sat/Sun      1400 - 0100      rear  window forced                  laptop  / games console
Christchurch Road    Sunday       1700 - 2350      front  basement window forced       laptop /  passport
Tivoli Road           Monday          2330           insecure rear door                  handbag  and contents             Coolhurst Road       Tuesday      1400 - 1515      front door  forced                   computer                             Middle Lane          Tuesday      1215 - 2115      no sign  forced entry         &  nbsp;     laptop / mobile                      Crouch Hall Road     Wednesday   0950 - 1105       front window smashed                Alarm  sounded - suspect decamped                Sandringham Gdns     Friday       1100 - 1410      rear  window smashed                 laptop                               Crouch End Hill      Saturday    0000  - 0100      r ear sash window forced             laptop

The  team are being briefed daily regarding updates of possible suspects and  times, dates and places of offences to enable us to best deploy our  resources to combat this problem. The Borough as a whole is experiencing an  increase in these offences and significant resources are being directed  towards it.                                                                          There  was also a White VW van involved in the theft of a significant amount  of lead form the new school building site on Crouch End Hill     

 
Robbery:                                                                                                                    couple of offences this week, both on Wednesday in a similar area.                                          &n  bsp;         

Crescent  Road        Wednesday       2145        sports bag taken           2 black males a/a 25  yrs. Made off Parkland Walk Christchurch Rd       Wednesday      1755        left empty handed          1 black male 1 white a/a 20.  Victim fought them off

No weapons were seen during either offence.   
                                                                                                                                                                      &n  bsp;                                                                                                                 

Vehicle  Crime:                                                                                                                                                                    &nbs  p;                                                         Only  one reported crime this week. This may be due to the fact that a  suspect was arrested in Haslemere Road in the early hours  this week. He was carrying a torch and a hammer and was seen by the  plain-clothes officers looking into vehicles. The 18 year old was charged  with Going Equipped to steal and vehicle interference. He was kept in police  custody to attend court.

Stanhope Gardens      Wednesday    overnight          BMW                   Number  plates stolen
A vehicle displaying the stolen plates was later used in a  robbery. We hold a limited supply of 'tamper proof' screws for affixing  number plates. This makes it impossible to unscrew the number plates. We  will be distributing these at our upcoming 'have a say day' (details next  week).

Other Issues:
The team were also involved in the  arrest of a young lady for an assault in the Town Hall Square. It  was the case of a 'falling out' of people who were known to each other but  having a physical fight in the presence of young children and families is  not acceptable. Encouragingly members of the public came forward with  information to enable us to make an arrest. The team worked into the early  hours over the weekend and the Town Hall Square and Broadway areas, along  with the rest of the Ward were quiet in respect of ASB.

I am aware of  several Residents Associations and NHW'S that receive this  publication and pass it on to their members. I have been asked to gauge a  total number of people that 'read' it so if you do pass it on to neighbours  etc I would be very grateful if you could just send me the numbers involved.  

Many thanks
John McGrath
Crouch End Safer  Neighbourhoods
0208 6493515

Crouch End Direct    Issue 7


Last week the team were again involved in  policing other events and we were therefore under strength for a period of  time. The exceptional demand on resources of the recent weeks has receded  and we can once again concentrate on our core business of tackling issues in  Crouch End. I will be giving you information over the next few weeks of how  you can have your say on the policing of Crouch End as we approach our next  'consultation period' during which our policing priorities will be set. More  information regarding this to follow. Now for last weeks  issues...

Crime:  

Burglary:
Not a  good week last week in this respect, several offences and no descriptions of  suspects. The team and other Borough resources are being targeted towards  these offences and intelligence regarding possible suspects is being  gathered.

Dashwood Road    Monday   0900 -  1400  rear door forced                     laptop  and photographic equipment taken
Edison Road       Monday   1230 - 2050  rear  kitchen window forced           car keys and car taken  
Glasslyn Road    Tuesday  0015 - 0800  front  sash window removed            TV
Crouch  End Hill Tuesday  0630 - 1545  no signs of forced entry             cash purse  etc
Coleridge Road   Tue/Wed  2330 - 1600   property hooked through letterbox  purse cash cards  
Crescent Road    Sun          2040       No entry gained                      alarm  sounded suspects decamped

There were also a couple of instances of  property taken from non-residential buildings

Avenue Road       Tue/Wed  2030 - 0915  garage in block  - door forced      motor scooter taken  
Claremont Road   Saturday 1300 - 1530  garage door  opened                  2  pedal cycles taken

We have been particularly successful in tackling  burglary over the last year and the fact that there is this number of  victims of this crime is very disappointing. We will be performing high  visibility patrols over the coming week in the areas worst affected. The  Crescent Road incident does give some weight to the argument that alarm  systems can be a deterrent although it is appreciated that they are not  always practical for all types of premises. As can be seen the times of  offences vary greatly as do the methods.     


Robbery:
Again there were no  'street' robberies reported to us last week.


Vehicle  Crime:

A variety of offences reported again covering differing  methods and vehicles. The significant factor is the opportunist nature (two  of the vehicles were not secure) and the fact that if there is property  stolen at all it is often not of any great value.

Glasslyn Road     Mon/Tue  2350 - 0320  Citroen: no damage caused           dvd's  glasses  
Coolhurst Road   Tuesday  1030 - 2300  Peugeot:  doorframe bent back       breakdown kit  
Stanhope Gardens Saturday 1300 - 1315  Mini: window smashed                small  change (large built black male on a moped)

Landrock Road     Fri/Sat  1915 - 0930  Nissan:                             vehicle  stolen
Shepherds Hill   Saturday    1630       Toyota:                             wing  mirror damaged


Other Issues:
The three youths  mentioned previously in the Haringey Park area have now signed up to  their Acceptable Behaviour Contracts having been spoken to in the presence  of their parents / guardians and agreeing to abide by the terms of the  agreement. The team and the Housing association concerned will be monitoring  things closely.

If you are suffering from anti social behaviour in  your area and you can identify culprits we can, with the support of our  partner agencies, gather evidence to pursue ABC's etc so please let us know  if this is the case.

One of our readers e-mailed last week to inform  us of a suspect I am pretty sure has been active before in operating scams  to trick money out of people. A black lady, slim build about 5'7" with  cropped hair knocked on a door in Russell Road and began giving her  tale of woe to the occupier who, quite rightly, cut her short and sent her  on her way. The team were a little distance away and unfortunately couldn't  get there in time to speak to her but we now know she is active  again.

As mentioned we will focus our activity this week around the  burglary hotspots. Patrolling on bikes is a useful (if very warm) way to be  visible but also allow us to get from A TO B relatively quickly and I intend  for the team to utilise this patrol option frequently in the coming  weeks.

The more eagle-eyed amongst you will have noticed the  Neighbourhood Watch signs that we put up in Shepherds Hill this  week (at great personal risk I may add.....me and ladders don't really  mix!). As previously mentioned I am a great advocate of NHW and our recent  leaflet drop has prompted a response from several residents. If you are  waiting for someone else to make the call then go on, take the plunge and  give us a ring to assist you in setting one up in your road. Every little  helps!

See you next week     

John McGrath  
Crouch End Safer Neighbourhoods  
0208 6493515  

As  mentioned last week the newsletter has been delayed this week and will be a  brief issue. This edition deals with events up to and including 11th August.  Normal service will be resumed next week when all being well the team will  be back on the ward after assisting in the massive police operation at  Heathrow.

Crime:  

Burglary:
A couple  of residential offences this week but again no description of offenders. The  first was in Dickenson Road N8 and occurred during the day. The rear  door was forced open and the all too familiar laptop was stolen. During the  early part of the week entry was again gained via a rear door, this time to  a residence in Coolhurst Road. Laptops, MP3 players other audio  equipment was taken. There was also an attempt at entry to premises in  Haslemere Road but no access was gained.

The moral seems to be to at  least ensure that the security at the rear of your premises is robust. If  you have any concerns regarding the security of your premises feel free to  phone either my team or the experts in Crime Prevention Office on 0208  340 2164. 'Target hardening' is the first and possibly most effective  way to combat thieves.

Robbery:
Again we had no offences  on individuals during the week. There has been, however a string of  'aggravated shoplifting' type offences at the off licenses on the Ward.  Oddbins and Nicholls have both been targeted by what appears to be the same  two suspects. They have made off with various bottles of champagne / red  wine. On one occasion they were chased by one of our Community Support  Officers but made good their escape on the Parkland Walk after ditching the  property. The reason I have included these offences in the 'robbery' section  is that on at least one occasion the suspects produced a knife to threaten  staff that challenged them. The suspects concerned were both black, one  about 5'10" with a braided afro hairstyle and the other about 5'8" with  short hair. The team is visiting the affected premises regularly for  reassurance and enquiries are ongoing to try and identify the  culprits.

Vehicle Crime:
Five reported cases of thefts  from vehicles this week. The offences were spread across the ward occurring  in Haslemere Road, Hurst Avenue, Park Road, Coleridge Road and Crescent  Road. Two BMW's amongst the vehicles targeted and property including a  Sat Nav system and vehicle parts including wheels and hubcaps were taken.  The offence in Coleridge Road was witnessed and photographed by a resident.  The suspect is described as approx 30yrs of Mediterranean appearance, about  5'10" wearing a black and blue rugby shirt with a white collar. He was also  riding a pedal cycle.

Other Issues:
An update on the  Haringey Park issue highlighted last week. Three local youngsters are  attending our offices this week with their parents / guardians and other  agency representatives to sign acceptable behaviour contracts. These  contracts are an agreement to adhere to reasonable behaviour and to refrain  from engaging in specified behaviour at specific locations. The idea is to  involve the parents / guardians in the process to encourage them to  influence the behaviour of their children. It is made quite clear at this  point that failure to stick to the terms of the contract may lead to other  measures (ASBO's for example) and may also impact on the tenancy of the  families involved. Let's hope they have the desired effect.

Residents  are being warned to be on their guard against people knocking at their door  claiming to be dustmen and asking for cash payments to remove their rubbish.  The advice follows reports in some parts of the borough of householders  being approached by a man wearing a red uniform offering to clear away extra  rubbish for cash. The man appears to be targeting homes that are undergoing  renovation and which have builder's rubble and bulky items left in the front  garden. He has been calling at these addresses and telling the householders  that in return for money the waste will be removed later that day by a  refuse truck. He pockets the cash and then disappears. No collection is  made.

The scam is made all the more plausible because the man is  wearing a uniform similar in appearance to those worn by employees of the  borough's waste contractor Biffa. Refuse collectors employed by Biffa are  strictly forbidden from approaching

residents and asking for cash or  offering to do extra jobs. They face stringent disciplinary action,  including dismissal, if they do so. Any approaches for money by people  claiming to be refuse collectors should be reported to the police straight  away or the council's waste management team on (020) 8871 8558.  

Another issue that has literally been reported in the last few  minutes concerns an unpleasant experience for a female cycling in Crouch  Hill at approx 0845 today. As she slowed towards the top of the Hill a  man stepped off the kerb and assaulted her by sliding his hand up he leg and  into her shorts. The rider, quite rightly, spoke to him in no uncertain  terms and rode off. This is a particularly nasty incident and we fortunately  have a good description of the suspect. He was of mixed race, approx 28-32  years of age, 6' tall with a long face and of slim build. He was wearing a  blue fleece jacket. Please be on the lookout as he may try this  again.

It has been quite rightly pointed out to me that in advising  people to phone Hornsey Police Station if they require police in a  non-emergency scenario I didn't provide the number. I am aware that there  have been issues with the waiting time on occasions but the number to call  is 0208 340 1212. Obviously emergency calls are still 999 and for  other matters that you wish to discuss with myself or my team, the number is  below.

This week the team will be paying particular attention to  Haringey Park and Crouch Hill regarding the incidents above. Also with the  increase of daytime activity around motor vehicle crime we will be  patrolling the ward with these incidents in mind.

See you next week      


John McGrath
Crouch End Safer  Neighbourhoods  
0208 6493515