Saint Joseph's Neighbourhood Watch   (Upper Norwood, London, U.K.)

Meeting held 8pm Thurs 5th. December 2002, at the usual venue

There were 19 people present:  Joan Burch, Russell and Gill Ashley-Smith, Maria Zaharieva, Janet Payne, Ann Murphy, Cyril King, Harold Lockwood, Henry and Shirley Schneider, Lorna Addie, Antonia and Edward Paul, Iain Fowler, Robert Rose, Ken Howard, Rob Kremis, Dennis and Alice Potter.

Apologies were received from: PC Colin Herron, Gil Payne, Kate Jinadu, Ron Dawe, Dr and Mrs Khan, Antje and Mark Stein.

Russell welcomed everyone, including some new people who have not attended before. Our police officer, PC Colin Herron, had sent a crime report, as he was not able to be present.

The Crime Report was pleasingly brief:
– There have been NO recorded crimes in our Watch area in the last few months, that PC Herron is aware of!
– In Norbury there has been an increase in callers at the door, claiming falsely to be from the Water Board.   If you have any doubts about such callers, then please ring 999.
– At Christmas time be especially vigilant about open doors and windows.  In Norbury PC Herron caught an opportunist thief red-handed entering a house through an open window.  Last year in our Watch someone had all their Christmas presents stolen.
– The cars for sale in Ryecroft Road (discussed at our last meeting), have now gone. PC Herron watches for cars with out-of-date tax disks, and reports them to the tax people to follow up. (Some cars for sale continue to be parked in Crown Lane – which is Lambeth’s area).
– If we see abandoned cars, there is a Council number to ring for them to be removed.
 
 

Other Problems   Russell then asked if members have noticed other problems that we should report.

a)   Seat on corner of Arnull’s Road  Several members commented that this was again attracting undesirables – with cards and needles left as litter and indicating drugs use.
– It is not known whether school kids are to blame, or other people at night
– The seat is in a dark corner, which attracts potential criminals, as there is no street light near it
– The tree next to the bench was recently vandalised - a Watch member had tied it back up and reported it to the Council.
– Lads on motor bikes gather there early evening, causing a disturbance etc.
– The seat is, however, a welcome resting point during the day for people walking up the hill.

Russell will inform the Council that the seat is continuing to cause problems.   We have protested to them before about it.   Possible solutions to put to the Council are
– remove the seat completely
– replace it on the green area on the other side of the road (but then it will be nearer to houses)
– put a light near it, or move it near a light.
– remove it for 90 days as a test, to discourage outsiders from coming there, then replace it.

b)  Bogus Callers  Some members have had people calling, saying they are locked out, and can they have money for a taxi fare.  If at all suspicious of them, do not let such people in.   Take good note of them so you can give a description to police, who are interested to hear of such happenings, even though the act of spinning a tale to ask for money is not itself a crime.   (Perhaps offer to call a taxi yourself, saying you will pay the driver – and see what their reaction is!)
Descriptions of 2 bogus callers are:
– A thin haggard man, sunken eyes, scruffily dressed, claiming to be a baker who works nights.
– A slim well-spoken lady in early 30’s with sharp features.
 

Matters to Report

1)  List of Trades People
Members had been sent a form to recommend reliable trades people.  A few forms have been returned.   The previous list was read out for amendments.   Members are asked to please send Russell any further recommendations by 1st January.

2)  Gibson’s Hill Development
It had come to the notice of Watch members that it was proposed to knock down 3 houses on Gibson’s Hill, next to The Hollies, and build 8 more with an access road. A number of members have protested to the Council.  There is no formal planning application as yet.
Russell had written on behalf of the Watch expressing concern about the access road, as this would make it much easier for burglars to get into the back gardens of nearby houses.

3)  Norwood Grove park
Concern was expressed again about the need for Police patrols in the Norwood Grove park.   A man was seen suspiciously observing children.   The Park Ranger is only there 3 days a week from noon.
Gates are locked in the evening, especially the wide gates that vehicles can use.   A side gate is however left unlocked (for anyone locked in, as happened to one member!)
The park fence in Ryecroft Road has holes in many places – Russell will ask the Council to repair it.

4) Expenses
Russell was asked if any expenses were incurred that need reimbursing.   He said these were minimal, as all the photocopying of the meeting notes were done by the police.

5) Notices

a) Email list  Russell and Gill Ashley-Smith have a NEW E-MAIL ashleysmith@fish.co.uk
If you are not already on Russell’s Neighbourhood Watch email circulation list, then send him an email.   This list is used to circulate crime warnings.

b)  Marker pens  Please use and circulate to neighbours the yellow marker pens, which give invisible identification on property, so it can be returned if stolen.   It also gives information about recording cell phone ID code.

c)  Water Board  Russell has some brochures from Thames Water  which include security issues.  Please call at 28 Ryecroft if you would like one.

d)  Trades People List  Don’t forget to send in the slips recommending Trades people by 1st January.
 
 

Co-ordinators

Russell Ashley-Smith,  E-mail: russell@sjnw.co.uk   (new email)
Peter Silver,   E-mail: pete@sjnw.co.uk
Tricia Whyte,  for contact details see the printed newsletter
 
 

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