WebWatch N8

John McGrath's Newsletter

Crouch End Direct 25

          After the lull last week, not exactly a storm, but a wide variety of offences to report on. In particular it was not a good week to be a labourer in Crouch End. For some reason they have been the victims of various forms of theft with ladders, mobiles and power tools being stolen from vehicles, and other places. Needless to say the market for power tools is always thriving so please ensure that you keep any that you may have locked well away and out of sight.

          A couple of pedal cycles stolen this week as well. Both were stored in the front garden areas of the property, although in both instances substantial efforts had been made to secure them. The thieves obviously have cutting tools in their possession as locks were cut through on both occasions. I reported both of these offences so I know that the bikes were only where they were as a last resort but it does emphasise that where possible bikes should be stored out of public view also.

          If you read the newsletter regularly you will know I am particularly passionate regarding young people on the ward and ensuring that  they have an environment in which they can thrive and achieve their potential. I attended a police training session this week called Every Child Matters. It focused on the recording and sharing of information regarding children and has prompted me to put in a quick note on the subject. After various well publicised cases of child abuse (some very close to home) new practices are being adopted to enable easier and more comprehensive information sharing between relevant bodies. If you have any concerns at all over a child you have any dealings with, either professionally or in a personal capacity, please share them with somebody. This information can be given totally anonymously and can be regarding any issue connected with the child's welfare eg truanting, ASB, parents behaviour etc. Early intervention is the key to preventing any problem and this is particularly true of those involving children. I am sure you will accept this in the spirit it is intended. It is not about spying on your neighbours or questioning their parental skills. If there is cause for real and genuine concern we all have a duty to do something.

 
          Burglary back in focus again this week.
 

Burglary:
Fairfield Road                               Tue                       1600  - 2000                   Front door forced                                  Laptop

Shepherds Hill x 2                       Thu                        1115 -  2000                   First floor window forced                      No entry gained

Haslemere Road                       Fri - Sat                   1200 -  0300                    Rear window forced                              Laptop / photographic equip.

Crouch Hill                                  Fri - Sun                   0700 - 0830                    Rear window smashed                         Miscellaneous

Two of the offences were flats in the same block and no access was gained but the intent was clear as the suspect had to climb a drainpipe to gain access. No suspects seen.

 
Robbery:
Topsfield Parade                         Tue                               1900                         2 youths demanded money                  Left empty handed

This involved 2 suspects, known to the victim, threatening him with violence (no weapon intimated). A passer by intervened and nothing was taken and no injury caused.

Vehicle Crime:
Middle Lane                                  Mon                         1140 - 1200                  Ford van - no damage                        hydraulic tools             

Gladwell Road                            Mon                                2230                        Vauxhall - door bent back                  no entry gained

Tregaron Ave                          Mon - Tue                     1700 - 0725                  Peugeot - door bent back                  no entry gained

Claremont Road                         Wed                         1055 - 1100                  Mitsubishi - no damage                     power tools

Tivoli Road                              Mon - Sat                       0900 - 0900                 Mercedes                                            paintwork scratched

There were some historic crimes reported to us also this week although I have only included the ones that occurred last week. A return to the method of forcing the door frame but unsuccessful attempts this time!

 
Other News:
The team have been busy with all sorts this week, dealing with residents with mental health issues, thefts, criminal damage, neighbour disputes, landlord tenant disputes and another distraction theft. On Tuesday one of our residents lost £460 due to the distraction thieves! With half term last week the Broadway and the buses were quieter but we will be back this week, with the co-operation and support of the local schools, keeping an eye on the area.

We held a Ward Panel meeting last week and although it was interesting and good ideas were put forward the need to be more inclusive and involve more of the people of Crouch End was apparent. If you feel you have something to contribute you would be most welcome to attend the next meeting on 30th April. Don't be shy...the more the merrier!

I am sure some of you attended the children's Christmas parade in December. This was part of an initiative to promote the small businesses of Crouch End and was a great success. So much so that on the first Thursday of each month, commencing in March, the local shops involved in the scheme will be opening late. The March day (6th) will feature an 'Easter' theme with egg hunts for children etc. As I mentioned before I think this is a really worthwhile initiative and the team will be lending their support and I hope a number of you will be involved too. It is a good opportunity to show why Crouch End has such a unique and active community.

I promised a mention if Spurs won the Carling Cup and win it they did! In our shared position as 'Haringey people' I am sure each and every one of you shares my joy at our local teams magnificent victory!   

Please keep in touch and be safe

Regards
John McGrath

**********************************************************************
It is the policy of the MPS that:

MPS personnel (or agents working on behalf of the MPS) must not use
MPS systems to author, transmit or store documents such as electronic mail (e-mail) messages or attachments:

*  containing racist, homophobic,sexist, defamatory, offensive, illegal or
   otherwise inappropriate material;

.*  containing material requiring a protective marking higher than
    RESTRICTED, (and not higher than NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED across
   the internet) without the use of approved encryption;

*  containing personal data for use other than in accordance with
   the notification(s) under the Data Protection Act, 1998 of the
   system(s) from which the data originates.

* This Email message has been scanned for viruses and contents.

**********************************************************************

Parks Service Cuts? !!!!

 On Monday 18th February, at a full Council meeting, Councillors are being asked to make £400,000 cuts to the Parks Service over the next 3 years. This comes at a time when Friends groups have been lobbying for the greater on-site staffing and resources that our parks and open spaces desperately need if they are to fulfil their unique role in the 21st century. If such massive cuts are voted through they will be a kick in the teeth for Friends groups who have been working so hard for improvements to the management, maintenance and amenities in our parks. It would also be a blow to those who work so hard in our parks but who are already over-stretched.

Over the last year the Haringey Friends of Parks Forum has lobbied for the resources currently being spent on the largely ineffective Parks Constabulary - part of the Parks Service - to be re-channelled into the more effective general on-site gardeners and park wardens that everyone agrees are needed. However, it looks like the Councillors are being asked to support a 'double-cut' - ie not only the axing of the Parks Constabulary (with the loss of 13 staff and £200,000 of their total £436,000 costs), but also another £200,000 cut from the Parks Service grounds maintenance budget.

We are calling for the full £436,000 Parks Constabulary funding to be used instead to increase on-site staffing throughout the borough's parks and green open spaces.

No cuts! More not less resources for our parks and open spaces!

Joan Curtis
Secretary, Haringey Friends of Parks Forum
Haringey Friends of Parks Forum
c/o Joan Curtis, 14 Sandringam Rd, N22
jcurtis@brownreference.com
www.haringeyresidents.org/green+spaces

Area crime from PS McG

Crouch End Direct 23

          It almost feels like spring is here! A bit of sunshine certainly makes you feel better and look forward to the rest of the year with renewed vigour. My hopes and expectations for the future of the ward have been given a boost recently not only by some encouraging crime patterns but largely due to the response to our initiative to set up a Youth Panel on the ward. We have talked with some bright, positive, inspirational young people who are keen for youth issues to be given a voice and to engage with us to improve communication and perceptions on both sides. This is obviously an ongoing project which the entire team are very keen to make work. Posters have gone to suitable locations and we are visiting Highgate Wood to speak to all the pupils but there is no bar to anyone living in Crouch End between the ages of 13 - 18 so if you know of anyone fitting the bill ask them to get in touch.

          The Area Assembly meeting was reasonably well attended and focused largely on environmental issues on the ward. I did attend and speak briefly regarding the main Ward Panel. This is a group of people who live or work in the area and have a 'sphere of influence', be it a residents group or a professional interest,  and assist in deciding the policing priorities for the ward and take part in the problem solving process. Although the police team will obviously take the lead on the majority of issues we could not be as effective without the assistance of others and the idea is that panel members will bring their particular skills to the table to help solve matters. If you want to know more and think you can play a part please contact me.

          Back to the matters in hand. Good as far as burglary is concerned, not too bad on the other fronts but room for improvement still.    

Burglary:
Waverley Road                   Wed - Thu              1400  - 0800              Rear door forced                           No property taken

Considering this issue covers a two week period this is encouraging. There were some garages broken into in Crouch Hill and also in Haringey Park but the residential offences were well down. We have been gathering some good intelligence regarding some of our known baddies and this is helping us target our patrols and resources. Lets hope this continues.

 
Robbery:
Hatherley Gardens                    Fri                         1815                    Threatened with violence               Phones stolen

Coolhurst Road                         Sun                       2000                    Threatened with weapon                Phone stolen

The first incident involved a group of 12/13 year olds being picked on by a group of older youths. No weapons seen but threats were made. The youngsters asked to retain their sim cards and were allowed to do so. I really don't like the idea of this sort of incident happening to our young people and It emphasises the point that whilst we hear a lot about young people as perpetrators of various incidents they are also more likely to be victims than any other group and deserve our protection. This is the sort of issue I hope the Youth Panel will help to address.

The second incident involved a victim being approached whilst on his mobile. Not a very comprehensive description. These offences are reasonably rare but it does emphasise the need to be vigilant.

There was also a phone snatched from a young lad whilst he was on the W7. No violence or threats used. It makes you wonder how low the crime figures would be if mobile phones had never been invented!

Vehicle Crime:
Cecile Park                            Sat - Sun                     2300 - 1100                    Ford  - No damage                                Engine part stolen

Shepherds Hill                      Sat - Sun                     1730 - 1600                   VW - No damage                                   Disabled badge stolen

Haslemere Road                   Mon - Tue                    2130 - 0930                  Jeep - window smashed                       Nothing stolen

Crouch Hall Road                 Tue - Wed                   2000 - 0650                  Mondeo - Window smashed                Computer stolen

Crescent Road                       Wed - Thu                   2300 - 1000                   Fiesta                                                     Wheels stolen

Cecile Park                               Wed - Thu                   2000 - 0830                  BMW Convertible                                  Rear window stolen

Crescent Road                       Thu - Fri                       1915 - 1100                 Focus - Window smashed                    Nothing stolen

Bourne Road                          Sat - Sun                      2230 - 0940                Fiesta                                                      Vehicle stolen   

Again this represents 2 weeks worth of crimes. The team did work a couple of night duties primarily to tackle vehicle and burglary crime. Both nights were very quiet.

Other News:
Some of you may have seen that we have been putting notices on vehicles parked in certain roads recently. This has been to highlight the fact that vehicles have been parking in dangerous positions on junctions. This has been by way of a warning. As from today if we come across vehicles parked in such a manner we will be ticketing them and they may be liable to removal. Our roads are dangerous enough as it is without inconsiderate drivers adding to the problem, so please be aware.

Could I also ask for your vigilance regarding rogue electrical works. It appears that illegal connections are being made to the main supply, involving digging up the pavement. These premises are then never receiving bills as the connections are not registered. These works tend to take place at weekends when there are less likely to be authorities around checking the validity of the workers. Bearing in mind the rises in utilities prices, anything that we can do to minimise unauthorised usage would be good. If you see work going on that you are not sure about please give us a call.

I have received quite a few e-mails recently, that have obviously been circulated amongst residents groups, involving crime and nuisance related issues. It is great that the communication networks are being used in this way, firstly to alert neighbours to local 'goings - on' and also to inform us to enable us to best utilise our resources. Please keep the information coming, I do read all of them and if I don't reply directly it doesn't mean that your communication is being ignored. We do act on what you tell us.

The Safer Neighbourhood theme is based on achieving long term solutions to problems and we are working hard to set up schemes to try and achieve this. We have had recent meetings with organisations working with prolific offenders who reside in Crouch End. These people are already doing great work to re-habilitate these individuals and we are aiming to get involved in any way possible to change their behaviour patterns. The idea being that we get to know each other as people and we can be a point of contact at other times rather than just dealing with any crimes they may have committed. It is early days but I want to see this continue.

Likewise with young people who are on the verge of offending and have come to our notice for the wrong reasons, we are attempting to involve them in activity schemes to divert them away from a life in crime. This is undoubtedly the time of life that individuals are most vulnerable and, without sounding too cliché, if we can successfully divert one individual from a downward spiral it will be time well spent.

Regards
John McGrath

Recorder play time

Hi there Chico ,

Would any teenage recorder player in the road be interested in earning

some cash to come and play for an hour-ish more or less regularly with

Finlay (age 6) He is starting descant recorder grade 1 (also the

treble) and has lessons but it would be great if someone would just

play duets with him and have some fun- ditto piano

All the best Sue A'Court

Number 38

Get in touch with Sue direct or email me for her telephone

Haringey's 20 year Core Strategy

Download core_strategy_issues_options_letter.pdf

your views by 1700 hrs 31 March 2008.

Chief Inspector Shaun de Souza Brady writes

I am writing to you to advise you firstly of the performance of the Metropolitan Police over the past 12 months and to assure you that your contribution to that performance is valuable to us.

Overall crime has fallen for the fifth consecutive year and is now at the lowest level for nine years. The capital is continuing to get safer; between January and December 2007 overall crime has reduced by 6.1% which is almost 57,000 fewer offences compared to the same period in 2006.

The latest residents survey in Haringey showed that Crime while still the main concern for residents had fallen by 8% from 54% to 46% of respondents.

This is testament to the hard work that the police and partners are doing in order to make Haringey a safer Borough.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your contribution to shaping the policing of this Borough, circulating messages and taking time to feed back how we are performing and how the community you engage with feel about policing in their area. Kin members are vital in our development of a customer-focused service and through your responses to our surveys we are able to make those important changes and tackle the issues that matter most to people. 

Our performance in Neighbourhood Policing is perception and survey based and I am aware that continual surveys can be time consuming and repetitive. I can assure you that the answers given by you on behalf of your communities are taken seriously and the results are monitored. The surveys are being reviewed to reduce the number of questions. 

Thank you once again for your time and contribution.

Shaun de Souza Brady   Chief Inspector   Community Engagement.

Health Cuts Coalition meeting

Brief Report of Stop Haringey Health Cuts Coalition meeting - 7^th Jan 2008

Present:  Janet Shapiro (BLHC and MHPAG); Peter Budge and Pete McCaskie (HGP); Margaret Fowler and Mario Petrou (SStAHCG); Dave Morris (HFRA); Keith Flett (HTUC)
Apologies: Terry Burton (HTUC); Inga Bystrom (User); Tim Loveridge (UNISON); Helen Steel (WPRA); Ann Gray (WGRA & HGP); Alan Woodwood (HTUC);

A.  Notes of last meeting: meeting were distributed and agreed.

B.  General points:

1.   Protests continue following a long strike in support of the Manchester mental health nurse/union activist who was sacked for speaking out against privatisation. There are reports of other union members elsewhere also having to defend their right to speak out.
2.   London Keep Our NHS Public monthly meeting: Alan and Janet attended from Haringey. New agitational/informatiive broadsheet newspaper planned for widespread distribution. We agreed this would be useful, especially in the light of local PCTs around London (including Haringey) now organising 'consultation' meetings to promote government policies and cuts for NHS services.
3.   Concerns expressed over recent moves by the Whittington Hosp, North Mid Hosp and BEH MHT Trust to go for 'Foundation Status', ie moves towards more competition, fragmentation and privatisation in the NHS.
4.   Discuss on whether the healthcuts campaign could benefit from holding a special public meeting on this issue in the lead up to the Greater London Authority elections in May. To be discussed further.
5.  Save St Ann's Hospital Campaign. It was agreed we would continue to circulate their material, including a copy of their Constitution if sent to us. (Now done).
6.   We didn't agree to automatically support any action or statement made by the Save St Ann's Hospital Campaign. It was reaffirmed that, as the SHHCC is a coalition of independent organisations, it was up to each affiliated group to decide which other groups and activities to actively support, and to decide on each proposal as put to the SHHCC meetings. As agreed at the last SHHCC meeting we encourage affiliated groups concerned about health cuts to take appropriate action and not wait for the Coalition to take the initiative!
7.   Concerns were expressed over the threat to The Grange day centre in N.Tottenham; to the St Ann's X-ray unit; and over the closure of Pine Ward (St Ann's)
8.   It was noted that there is a new 'consultation' body being set up by the PCT (and across the whole country) called Haringey Health LINk. Groups and individuals could decide for themselves whether it is vital/useful/useless to get involved!

C.  Campaign in support of neighbourhood-based services and facilities (eg local GPs, dentists and pharmacist practices):

We agreed that Haringey campaigners had done very well together at the end of last year to expose the realities and problems with the PCT's proposal for 'super health centres' and their likely impact/threat to local surgeries. faced with this public opposition and publicity the PCT had been forced to re-draft their proposals and to reconsult - although it seems they don't want to reconsult the public, just a few 'stakeholders'. Surely all users of health services are stakeholders? However we believe the PCT are planning to bulldoze through a slightly-revised proposal, so protests need to be stepped up.

We agreed:
- to lobby the next PCT Board on 30th Jan.
- to produce and circulate a revised leaflet focussing on defending neighbourhood services
- to get details of local GPs and dental practices, and their Patients Committees (if they have them)
- to encourage all specialist health service user groups to speak out loud and clear to defend services facing cuts, and for adequate resources for the NHS
- lobby the next LBH Overview & Scrutiny meeting discussing the PCT's revised proposal


D.  Next SHHCC Meeting
We agreed that the SHHCC will meet on the first Monday of every month (so supporters will all know when), preferably at a central and inexpensive location. Next one on Feb 4th 2008 - Tollgate Pub, 7pm

Blue Badge News

Disabled parking clampdown

Plans to extend the Blue Badge disabled parking scheme, and a clampdown on the cheats who abuse the system, have been announced.

Up to half of Blue Badges are being fraudulenty used, according to some reports.

Now the Department of Transport has announced a wide-ranging public consultation programme before overhauling the system, including making it harder to forge Blue Badges.

Transport Minister Rosie Winterton said: "The Blue Badge Scheme was designed to increase the mobility and independence of disabled people. I am proposing that we extend its reach to help more people, including a greater number of parents who have to transport bulky medical equipment with their children, and people with severe autism.

"The Government is also determined to take action against those who forge, steal or fraudulently use a badge. That is why I want to hear people's views about ways of making the badge more secure, and better ways of taking immediate action against Blue Badge cheats who steal, forge or use a Badge they are not entitled to."

 

The last review of the Blue Badge scheme took place a decade ago. The new proposals include:

• Extending the reach of the scheme, for example, ensuring more parents of severely disabled children are eligible for a badge; 
• Giving parking attendants the power to confiscate, on the spot, Blue Badges that have been stolen, forged or are being fraudulently used; 
• Improving the security of the badge design to prevent forgeries; 
• Creating a system of national data sharing, to identify Blue Badge cheats.

 

 

 

   

Your comments

   

I always think that the disabled badge picture should be displayed on the face side and a code entered into the picture to identify by a colour strip/barcode hidden in the picture or metal strip under the picture,that a reader machine can detect only by Police or wardens. I would like to see that blue badges are enforced and recconised on all parking areas including shopping centres/supermarkets as its ignored in these areas.

 

chris taylor
    03.02.2008 20:55

  Offensive? Unsuitable? Tell us!  

---

By all means hit out at those that fraudently use the disabled badge, but at the same time, introduce "short period badges" eg one or two month's duration for those with temporary difficulties eg a broken leg

 

Ian
    03.02.2008 19:03

  Offensive? Unsuitable? Tell us!  

---

   

Is this simply another ploy by the new world order to gather more personal information of the public?

 

watcher
    03.02.2008 16:43

  Offensive? Unsuitable? Tell us!  

---

   

Very good idea, but let me point out, that I am a Disabled ex service man who has a blue badge and have great need for it, but here lies the crunch, I do have a serious walking problem, but because I am not either disfigured or have a visible physical deformity, people accuse me of cheating the system, and that is the worry, that so called do gooders see themselves as qualified opinionators and set themselves up as knowing more than Doctors, and

 

tinywright
    03.02.2008 15:43

  Offensive? Unsuitable? Tell us!  

---

   

Companies who have disabled parking need to be enforcing the practice that ONLY disabled people park in these spaces, as a majority are used by people who are either ignorant or idle

 

ozarck3
    28.01.2008 13:28

  Offensive? Unsuitable? Tell us!

Would you pay more for better policing?

Would you pay more for better policing?

Everyone wants more officers on the beat and extra resources spent on policing – but how many of us are prepared to pay for it?

The answer, when the question was put in an email poll of City and County Neighbourhood Watch members in Leicestershire, was a fairly resounding 'No'.

The Watch association asked its members whether they would be willing to pay an extra £100 in Council Tax to achieve better policing. It sparked a healthy debate with 52% voting 'No',  42% voting 'Yes' and the remainder undecided.

Here's a sample of the comments from those in favour and those against:

NO - council tax is already very high. Better policing should be achieved by working a lot smarter and intelligently. If further funding is needed, then allocate from council tax by cutting costs in other areas.

YES - but very conditionally; i.e. not for the present increase in wages demanded by the Police Federation, and after an effective proven efficiency drive to reduce paper work.

NO - Police tax has increased way beyond inflation year on year yet police officers are virtually invisible in our community - I can't remember the last time I actually saw a police officer in my village.

YES - but my only concern is that I wouldn't trust the authorities to use it on direct policing. I believe it would just be wasted or used to pay for more admin to work out how to spend the money.

NO - living in a rural area we would see no change, the extra money paid by us would just go straight to the towns.

YES - I would be prepared to pay extra but I'm afraid that even with better policing the law abiding public would still be let down by a complete lack of effective deterrents, pathetic punishments, an unelected judiciary who are out of touch with society, politicians who are paralysed with political correctness, and a section of society that has no respect or regard for other people.

Join in the debate by giving us your view on whether or not you would pay more in council tax for better policing.  Cast your vote in our online survey by clicking here.

Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter Feb 2008

http://www.neighbourhoodwatch.net/newsletter/