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

The following members attended our Meeting at 8 p.m. on Thursday, 15th March 2001:- Gill Ashley-Smith, Elaine Mayes, our hostess Joan Burch, Shirley Murray, Laraine Delgado, Gilbert & Janet Payne, Dennis & Alice Potter, Mark Gilmartin, Cyril Ring, Abi Fashina -whom we welcome as a new Member, Edward & Antonia Paul, Russell Ashley-Smith, Ron Dawe, Harold Lockwood J.P., Tricia Whyte, Jeremy Lunnon, James Moseley, Ann Murphy, Antje Stein, George & Diana Rurkjian, Chrissy Silver, Kathy Mifsud and Hugh Norwood Collins. We were joined by Sergeant Shepherd and P.C. Mote, as well as by Sue Yoxall, M.B.E.

Apologies for their absence were received from:- Inspector David Williams, P.C. Paul Trevett and Derek & Ray Smith.

We began the Meeting by receiving the Crime Report from Sergeant Shepherd, who told us that graffiti continue to disfigure our neighbourhood. You will be pleased to know that from next year anti-social behaviour is to appear in the local Policing and Performance Plan for the first time. Croydon Borough will tackle graffiti under this initiative. A resident in Ryecroft Road was wakened in the early hours to see his vehicle being driven away. It was recovered a few days later, damaged. Vehicle alarms should be fitted and always set. There had been three burglaries since Christmas and since the Meeting a further six in Ryecroft Road and Gibson's Hill. We must note that in this Borough recently there has been a trend for thieves to enter houses and flats, commit burglary and then to leave, taking car keys from the hallways so that the thieves may drive away in the householders' cars. Please note this carefully. Ensure that windows are closed when away from home and at night.

Please also note that with the advent of Spring all garden sheds and garages should be locked. Downstairs windows should be closed and fitted with locks to prevent burglaries. Our former Home Beat Officer W.P.C. Laraine Burnett, now Crime Prevention Gfficer, will be very pleased to advise on suitable crime prevention fittings, so do not hesitate to ask her to visit you. Her number at Croydon Police Station is 020 8649 0170.
 

Bogus callers are operating in the area and include men, women, and children, either working alone or in a team. Always check the credentials of a caller with the head office before allowing access to your home. Always close the door before you telephone, leaving them outside while you check. It is essential that you do this, even if it is someone claiming to work for a well-known or multi-national company.

Never allow strangers into your home or garden if you are alone. Ask any caller to make an appointment for another day and time, then make sure you have someone with you when the caller returns. This ensures that the caller is never unattended anywhere in your home or garden, even if in a recognised uniform or working for a national company, and a legitimate caller will not object to this.

We were fortunate to listen to a talk given by Sue Yoxall, formerly the head of the National Neighbourhood Watch Association. It was not only interesting but also encouraging. For example, she told us that, when visiting a convicted burglar in prison, he told her that it was not so much the dog who frightened him off as the Neighbourhood Watch stickers in the windows and doors! (We have supplied new ones to SO DO PLEASE USE THEM). She also announced that we are to hold a Public Meeting, under the aegis of the Croydon Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association, to encourage others in Upper Norwood, Beulah and Norbury Wards to start Neighbourhood Watches in their own areas. It will be attended by senior Police Officers, as well as our own constables, the Crime Prevention Officers and members of the C.B.N.W.A. THIS MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON TUESDAY, 22ND MAY AT 7 P.M. AT SAINT OSWALD'S CHURCH HALL, GREEN LANE,. NORBURY. DO PLEASE COME TO SUPPORT THOSE WHO HAVE NO WATCH YET.

OUR ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY will take place on Sunday, lst July at one o'clock at 31, Ryecroft Road, by kind invitation of Chrissy Silver. Do come and enjoy yourselves but, please bring a plate of food and a bottle of something to drink. We hope that the party will be as great a success as in former years.

We thanked Sue Yoxall for her talk and Mrs. Burch for her usual kind hospitality.

The date of the next Meeting was fixed for Thursday, 20th September at 8 o'clock at 28, Ryecroft Road. Please make a note of this in your diary.

The Meeting closed at 9 p.m.

Hugh Norwood Collins,
Chief Co-ordinator.