Well done Isla!

You may remember a story earlier indicating Isla's concern with the height of placement of a low trees sign and the major overhang of trees that threatened the safety of pedestrians. In response to some media articles and communication with TFL. You wills see the sign has now been raised and the trees along Grove Road cut away!

-

Isla is proving to be a very useful member of the Chadwell Team. If you meet with her, do say hello, she is a Chadwell resident from Shepherds Close and the NHW coordinator for her road.

More details on this succes can be viewed (here)

Graffiti Attack

Here is some graffiti I noticed on the wall to the left side at the entrance of Westfield Gardens, from Grove Road. I ahve reported it to the Street Scene Team.

A spiders tale!

I have noticed that a population of spiders is growing at a fantastic rate in our ward. Spiders of the variety shown in the images above were not visible in the ward until around 3 years ago. Now they seem to have proliferated throughout Chadwell. These images were taken at Sherman Gardens and I have noticed many around the Richmond Estate and the Putney Gardens area. I am wondering if anyone knows what breed they are and why we are now seeing so many...is it associated to our changing weather conditions or simply and accidental introduction...?

Please share your thoughts...?

The size of the spiders body is around 1 inch in length. Spooky ay!

Langham Drive/Lexden Graffiti and Bulky Waste!

The image above is not very clear, however if you click on it and enlarge it, you will see it has been vandalised with graffiti. I have reported the street name plate to the appropriate section of our council.

Here we have a green telecoms box covered in graffiti along Lexden Drive. I have reported it to Russell Ward and his street scene team.

Along Langham Drive opposite number 30, this mattress is causing a health and safety hazard...?!

The base of a bed in the image above is in the alleyway accessed via Langham Drive opposite no.24.

If you know or see any perpetrators of crimes such as these please do report them too me. I have reported the concerns to appropriate bodies for removal.

Community Crime Fighters - Thank You!

I was recently invited to the Barking and Dagenham "Community Crimefighters" Thank you meeting. This is due to my work over both borough's, in my role as prospective candidacy for councillor to Chadwell, in the forthcoming local elections. Such a role obviously requires me to address cross border issues.

The meeting went well and I met with local Magistrates and the Barking and Dagenham Community Safety Leader, whilst also meeting with several other leading local figures for the borough. I will continue to espouse good relationships with groups from LBBD in my inclusive approach to tackling our concerns for Chadwell.

I must say, I was very impressed with the new Barking Learning Centre which is designed economically, environmentally and with appropriate application of ergonomic design. I recommend a visit it is truly spectacular and useful.

Rewind Selecta!

Due to a technical hitch the Youth Bus moved location to the Car Park in the middle of the Millhaven Estate on Thursday - instead of Capstan Close. It was a successful event and many young people had responded to the letters sent out by the Green Party. This was particularly pleasing, as we have to justify the use of such a resource and local people have not let us down.

You will see an image of me trying to learn some DJ skills - I failed abysmally but many of the youngsters were very good.

The bus is to return to the same location every Thursday from 18:00 - 21:00 and is free to all young people from 11 - 21. However, I believe the specific target audience is 13-19 year olds.

The bus in addition to the DJ workshop includes; internet facility, gaming consoles, assistance with CV development and counselling services. It is an excellent opportunity for young people to develop new skills, friendships, local knowledge, maturity and simply to have fun.

3 detached youth workers are available throughout the event and they all have enhanced CRB checks.

Redbridge College - Meeting with the Deputy Principal.

I attended a very honest and frank meeting with a Mr Snailham the Deputy Principal of Redbridge College on Tuesday 27th October 2009. At the meeting Mr Snailham advised me of the real details of what transpired during the recent incident at the college.

The incident occurred after a minor skirmish involving 3 or 4 male students in the college. Mobile phone calls were made and within minutes a large group of youths with a number of weapons including a blade arrived - ready to instigate violence. In the incident a college student was injured and 6 arrests were made by the Police of which 5 boys from the group are to be tried for various criminal offences.

The reason that so many students were evacuated from the college was not due to the knife incident. For an unknown reason, the fire alarm had inadvertently been triggered and to date the college cannot identify the reason for the alarm ringing. If I was to speculate, it would seem that it was intentionally triggered as a ruse to find the victim, or to cause confusion for a quick getaway. Whatever the purpose, it did make dealing with the incident significantly more difficult for the college. The staff and students acted calmly in order to return to normal tackling both issue with confidence and professionalism. The police have been very positive about the Colleges input.

The College has been very co-operative with the local Police and have already signed up to the Redbridge Weapons Protocol devised by the Local Police for local schools (since September 2008). They even made some generic amendments to the contract to incorporate colleges and other establishments joining the scheme. They have instigated previous knife arch audits without any finds and will continue their membership to the scheme. I should reiterate, the weapons brought to the college site, were carried by external youths.

The college has made it their focus to return to a normal state and have been liaising with residents, parents and pupils alike to reassure them of safety within the college. It seems their reassurance have worked as Pupils have returned. The partnership with the Local Police who increased their visibility and their deterrent affect accordingly - should be praised and all thanks to Sgt Lowrie and his team. The deputy Principal praised the police for their efforts:

"The police response was rapid and provided an effective deterrent to any repaet incident. It was good to see local police engaging with youth"

Redbridge College has previously held a Gun and Knife Crime event and hold them bi-annually with another event planned for the Spring term

I have been asked to source information on a potential community event held by the College on the local green and hope soon to be able to assist them towards an event next year. The intent is to give something back to the local community and to enable the college students to gain experience in putting an event on. I will keep you all informed on progress.


Thank you

Wilson

Hope not Hate

Redbridge Residents are invited you to join "Hope not hate" in the Holocaust Memorial Garden at the southern corner of Valentines Park, Ilford at 10.45am on Sunday 8 November, Remembrance Sunday.

At 11am the community will stand in silence for two minutes to recall the sacrifices of all those who fell fighting Nazism, whether they served in the armed or the auxiliary services. We will also remember the millions of civilians who were murdered in the Nazi Holocaust and those who died at the hands of Hitler’s Japanese allies.

What more fitting place to gather than the memorial to the late Leon Greenman, our neighbour and friend, who lost his family in the Holocaust and survived the brutal death and concentration camp regimes.

Leon spent every day since the war bringing the story of those terrible years to children and others all over the country, under the slogan Never Again.

"We who stand against the hatred and intolerance of those in our country who have taken on the mantle of nazism and racism will reconfirm our commitment to use every bit of our strength to resist and fight back against these twin evils."

The event is being held under the twin auspices of the national HOPE not hate campaign and Redbridge and Epping Forest Together. It is hoped that people of all communities will join them on this day and commit themselves to the fight against racism and fascism.

If you would like to learn more about REFT and HOPE not hate’s work, please visit them at 7.30pm on Tuesday 27 October in the Churchill Room, Wanstead Library, Spratt Hall Road, Wanstead E11 2RQ. The nearest tube station is Wanstead (Central Line) and several buses pass nearby.

East Thames Homes development delayed

The Grove Farm Project has been deferred while our Councillors undertake a site visit. It amazes me, how a planning application that was unanimously stopped in its initial phase -based on the immensity of the project and lack of local amenities - is now even being considered. The project is still 6 storeys high and the reduction from 136 dwellings to 104 Dwellings is still too little as the dwellings are a mixture of 4, 3 , 2 and 1 bedroom accommodations. Moreover, what exactly do the Councillors hope to achieve by their site visit...an opportunity to convince themselves that the scheme is feasible...?

This all sounds a little fishy to me.

I will represent the ward view at the next hearing of the application.

Learn more about the application (here)

More info on Youth Bus in Chadwell!

London Borough of Redbridge Children’s Services and their "Youth Service Detached Team", will be providing the Famous Redbridge Youth Bus to Chadwell's Young People ( this is suitable for children from Seven Kings, Goodmayes and any other part of Redbridge). The scheme was initiated through a collaboration of ideas shared between the Chadwell Safer Neighbourhood Sargeant Mark Lowrie, Wilson Chowdhry of the Green Party and and Liaquat Ali - Manager of the Youth Bus.

What’s on offer for young people?

A team of youth workers who care a great deal about young people, Detached simply means that we work with young people on the streets, estates and parks, in their territory. Who we believe are not accessing existing youth provision and support services in Redbridge

We create opportunities as a result of contact made on the streets or where young people live. We use mediums like sports, music, and also design group projects to engage young people on issues that are important to them such as Being Healthy, Staying Safe, Enjoy & Achieve, Making a Positive Contribution, Achieve Economic Well-being.

Working with young people 11 to 21 years old, Predominately 13 to 19 years old.

ACTIVITIES ON YOUTH BUS:
Information, Advice and Guidance, Issue Based Discussions, Educational DVD Films
Workshops on the Effects of Drugs, Alcohol, and Sexual Health, Staying Safe, Workshops on Anti Social Behaviour, and its effects on the community, DJ, MC-in and Music Workshops,
Computer Internet Access/CV preparation, Intervention work, structured development programmes, Healthy Eating - Making Smoothies

Annual events/activities
Summer Uni Football & Cricket Youth Cup
Detached Youth Work Award Ceremony
Summer Partnership work Parks in Redbridge

So what are Detached Workers trying to do?

• Get to know you and find out what you are interested in.
• Work with you to make things happen.
• Support you to deal with any problems or concern you have.
• Support you to find out the things you want to know about.

So What can Detached workers do?

• Give you advice, support and information about housing, employment, education, benefits, health, drugs, the law and loads of other stuff. Just be there for a friendly chat
• Support you to organise activities, day trips and residentials or anything else you are interested in, just come to us with ideas!
• Some of the things we have done in the past include Making videos, Go-karting, DJ & MCing projects.
• Get support in putting your ideas into action

Where and how to find them?

We are to be present every Thursday from 18:00 - 21:00 at Capstan Close (off Millhaven Close itself off Grove Road). If you have a group of friends that meet up and would like to get involved in FREE activities, want the youth bus in your area, Call us on 020 8597 7883 or Text ‘Youth Bus’to 07908 809 765

Children’s Services, Youth Service, Detached Team,
The Downshall Centre, Aldborough Road South Ilford, Essex, IG3 8HZ
email: detached@redbridge.gov.uk http://www.redbridgeyouth.info/

Please also see these links (just click on the numbers):

(1) (2)

Youth Engagement!

Wilson Chowdhry, Liaquat Ali, a Youth Worker and Rajeshri Chouhan (our new Green Party Activist for Seven Kings ward - at the official inaugration of the Youth Bus Service to Chadwell).

Many of you have complained about the lack of youth services locally and the increase in youth knife crime and antisocial behaviour. Yet last night after the extremely hard endaevour of Sgt Lowrie from the Chadwell Safer Neighbourhood Team, Liaquat Ali (Detached Youth Worker) and Wilson Chowdhry our lead Green Activist - Chadwell ward saw the introduction of the Redbridge Youth Bus.

The Redbridge Youth Bus is a service provided by our Youth Services Team and will provide DJ Workshops/ Gaming Consoles/ Internet Training/CV training/ Drugs and Alcohol counselling and Sexual Health counselling to young people from the ages of 11 - 16 every Thursday from 18:00 - 21:00. The location of this service will be on Capstan Close, which is at the end of Millhaven Close - itself off Grove Road.

Please do tell any parents with children of these ages that this service now exists till the end of December. If the attendance is strong enough the service which will expand in the summer months, to include organised sports and will move to Crucible Park. This again will be every Thursday from 18:00 - 21:00.

This is the culmination of a lot of work and although only 8 young people attended last night, we hope that through better communication, we can involve a much larger number - in probably the most adventurous youth engagement scheme our ward has had. Hopefully it will impact on the reduction of knife crime in our community, where we have suffered 3 incidents over the last 2 weeks.

Policing that works!

You will no doubt, by now, realise just how much I appreciate the work of our incumbent sergeant Lowrie. Since he has taken over the responsibility for Chadwell Ward Safer Neighbourhood Team, the service level and ingenuity of the team has improved exponentially.

During a recent knife incident he has provided a high profile policing deterrent at Redbridge College, which has calmed the situation (working closely with a very cooperative Redbridge College). Moreover, on the 14th of November he will be facilitating the free installation of tamper-proof screws via his team at Tesco’s, Goodmayes. The times of this service will be from 12:00 - 14:00 - please come along and prevent your licence plates from being stolen (a crime on the increase).

Finally, I would like to add my thanks to all the community people and groups that have assisted me with Crime reduction work I have undertaken locally. Redbridge Council commended me personally and my Business A.A. Security for our efforts in reducing local crime. I could not attend the Award ceremony as I was inaugurating the new Mayesford/Hickman and Reynolds NHW. This aside I have today been told that I will be meeting with Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street on the 4th November 2009 as I am to be awarded a Community Crime Fighters Award. If any of you were the person to nominate me - thank you!

Sometimes, when only a small number of people turn up to meetings, I question the benefit of my work. However, having seen many of those start-ups develop into strong community groups has given me a real sense of pride. Not every one of these efforts produces a successful group or end, however, your faith and that of the local council in their recent awards has inspired me to aspire to even greater things. Once again thank you.

Great news another NHW!

At the recent Mayesford Avenue, Hickman Road and Reynolds Avenue NHW Meeting we had an enormous attendance of 7 local people. This is not bad for a start up groups and was the product of two letter drops on the road. Since then two other residents have emailed apologies and confirmed they will be at the next meeting – as I am sure will many others as time progresses.

A very good Coordinator and Deputy have been selected (the Coordinator is actually a Magistrate) and things look very promising for this group.

Sgt Lowrie from the Chadwell SNT arrived and was very productive providing several useful leaflets, free tamper proof screws- to prevent licence plate theft, energy saving bulbs and he provided window posters warning people that the police would be called to anyone trick or treating in the area.

After my introduction Sgt Lowrie advised us that there had been 3 burglaries, 1 cannabis detection and 2 vehicle thefts in the last quarter. He also informed us that Chadwell is one of the worst wards for burglary in the borough, although burglary is high throughout and across the country. He surmised that a potential consequence of the recession is this increase in burglary and clarified in response to a question, that burglars that have been caught or spotted are of a rich cultural diversity, vary in age and even a female has been caught. In short – you just don’t know what they look like!

Sgt Lowrie confirmed that times vary and that UPVC doors are being targeted by thieves. He provided an information leaflet on how to deter UPVC burglary. I have copies for any viewers that would like one and can email one across on request.

One resident asked if more vehicles could be used to patrol the streets looking out for burglaries. It transpired that the Borough has two additional burglary specific vehicles. These are to be shared throughout the Borough. However, a significant priority has been set for the patrolling of Chadwell due to high level of theft and burglaries.

Artifice burglary is being used which is a technical phrase for people that look professional (in suits or uniforms) in our without a snazzy car, undertaking burglary or casing a property.

Sgt Lowrie also explained that his team would be patrolling the ward during Halloween and that test purchases were being taken on Firework distributors – which provided no end of solace.

All who came felt they had learnt more about their roads and made new friends. A very positive future is in store for this group as every participant agreed to safety involved and offered differing involvement.

Concerns were raised regrading the increase in boy racers within the Halfords Car Park on the High Street. Sgt Lowrie informed visitors that this crime was on their schedule of work.

Having a Sergeant at a NHW meeting is a rare and wonderful thing and Sgt Lowrie expressed his confidence in the need for NHW's whilst confirming that although his team could not attend every meeting, they would try to be at as many as possible and would provide support and feedback to coordinators. There are few Sergeants like him!

The usual suspects!

Another stabbing in Chadwell Heath!

Stop the knives!

A knife crime incident occurred at Redbridge College (20th October 2009) around lunch time. As alarming as this it was not a fatal incident and both the College and the local crime prevention agencies, including the Police, are working hard to increase community confidence and remove the threat of reprisals. Today and tomorrow a full police presence will be present, as our extremely hard working Chadwell Safer Neighbourhoods Team, have rearranged their shifts to facilitate this. I have been advised that the college has been very professional and cooperative with the Police and that this incident has shocked them too. This is the first incident of its type on college grounds and the management are working hard towards a return to normality.

Only recently a school boy stabbing occurred between pupils of Chadwell Heath Foundation School. Arrests have been made for both incidents with 6 boys arrested yesterday near the college and the perpetrator of knife crime arrested in the School boy incident. Early reports suggest the perpetrator of the crime was not a college student. Crimes of this nature have a demoralising and intimidatory affect on local people causing much distress.

Somehow, we must get across a message of community cohesion and the futility of knife crime to this our young people. One way in which we will be engaging with young people is via the use of the Redbridge Youth Bus, which will be providing, counselling, sexual, health advice and a number of activities including a DJ workshop and gaming consoles in a stewarded atmosphere. The bus has been at Christie Gardens for the last two weeks, but will now be parking in Crucible Close every Thursday till the end of December. The times of the activities are from 18:00 - 21:00 and I would encourage people to send any young people they know to the bus - for what is one of the few youth engagement programmes in the Borough. I am working with the Police, Parks Police, Parks Management Team and the Detached Youth Worker's of Redbridge Youth service for a longer more productive scheme to be held during the same days and times next summer.

I will also be working towards the initiation of two new NHW' one in the Seven Kings roads adjoining crucible park and one at the roads from Little Heath, Chadwell Heath Lane, Tendring Way, Freshwell Avenue, Chafford Way and Rochford Avenue, in an attempt to create a better communication network between crime reduction agencies and local people. Perhaps this would be a good moment for parents to speak with their children, or to invite them to the watch meetings, to directly communicate with Police and ASBO officers with a view to uncovering the extent of youth knife crime. This could encourage good community citizenship at an early age and would reduce the propensity of crime. Letters will be sent to affected roads shortly.

Here are details of another peace project I am working towards - the Redbridge peace Monument.

Grove Farm planning application to be heard on 26th October- please register

Bad news I am afraid! Grove Farm Development rears its ugly head again!

Please click here to see latest letter from the planning department.

A new Planning application has been submitted by East Homes for Grove Farm. The project is still up to 6 storeys high and has been reduced only slightly to 104 dwellings. Some of the issues I personally have with this project include:

• The development is too large for an area deficient of school places and parking and will create excessive logistical burden.


• The proposed Right hand filter lane will increase an already congested area and introduce an element of danger to crossing children visiting Chadwell Heath Primary School.


• 104 dwellings and a 6 storey development will reduce sunlight to other neighbouring properties, induce antisocial behaviour due to density of population - peer and group culture. Moreover, it will only increase the existing over development of Chadwell ward and will not be in alignment with neighbouring properties, reducing the privacy of existing residents.


• The site is said to have stag beetles a protected species and a priority under the Redbridge Biodiversity plan. Has an investigation been undertaken by an appropriate body..?


• Parking allocation is at 90% but does not take into account that many homes will have more than 1 driver.


• I raised a suggestion at an Area 5 committee meeting during the formation of a pre-planning brief, that the properties should be limited to 3 storeys. This was agreed by all Councillors. How then, are 6 storeys now acceptable…?


• The 104 properties are of a variety of sizes ranging from 4 bed properties to 1 bed properties. The overall number of rooms for the site is over 300. Both the parking and local facilities cannot support a scheme of this size.


• What safety measures will be taken to prevent arson attacks and reduce bulky waste deposits to bin areas - a pervading social malaise affecting all large residential estates in Chadwell?
  
  A link to the Planning application where you can learn more can be found on my blog (do write comments on the blog as well as the Council website as I will use this as evidence) - following this link:
  
  http://chadwellgreen.blogspot.com/2009/09/diabolical-behaviour.html

Sorry Russell Ward

It is with great shame that I continually report the items of graffiti visible in our ward. I have now been campaigning to remove this dreadful social malaise from the ward for 4 years now and the only improvement is that the ward is cleaner. I will send these latest items to Russell Ward and his Streetscene team again, however, I implore local residents, that have any information on the culprits of this disdainful activity, to report any details to me or your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

Your Safer Neighbourhood Team can be contacted on: 020 8721 2027. My details are all over this blog.

Can anyone guess what road this is....?

That's right Rochford Avenue at its junction with Chadwell Heath Lane.

Overton Drive Success!

A resident brought his concern to me regarding the light being emitted into his house from a street light that had been placed to the fore of his main bedroom window - a consequence of the council's policy to provide clear visibility at junctions. I found a simple solution and managed to convince street lighting to install the screen viewable in the image.
The other concern raised by the local resident, was in relation to two bollards that had been installed in respect to a lorry company, previously located in the vicinity - who abused local parking regulations. One of these bollards was to the fore of the gentleman's property and he had asked for its removal and the relocation of the lamp post previously mentioned, so that he could implement a drive. Parking is scarce found on this road - due to the nearby Chadwell Heath Station.

The Council refused to remove the lamp post due to cost, however on agreement that he funded a drive they committed to removing the bollard. The size of the Drive is not conventional, but it facilitates a need and has brought much solace to the local resident. Who appears in the shot with me above.

There is still one bollard to be removed and I have asked the Council to remove the item, that is causing a parking nuisance, without any recognisable benefit?

How can we reduce antisocial behaviour?

I have received a comment from a reader of the Blog that is very thought provoking. It would seem that many of you are looking for solutions to antisocial behaviour and are not happy with the existing arrangements. I just feel that a good start to getting what you want, would be for residents to share their thoughts and ideas on how this pervading social malaise, could be reduced. I would ask that you share your views and thoughts...?

Read the comments at the bottom of this post.

Please recycle!

In the image above you can see Wilson Chowdhry with Joanne Smallman from the Redbridge Recycling Team. The team have provided Wilson with some free reusable cloth bags (that can be used in exchange of the rather wasteful plastic bags often used by shoppers), some spaghetti measures (that help reduce food waste by facilitating accurate measures for average serving to 1, 2 or 3 people - or any calculation using these measures) and some bag clasps that can be used to close plastic food bags and preserve food for longer.

These items will be distributed to the recent attendees at the Reynolds, Hickman and Mayesford NHW and any surplus will be distributed at future NHW meetings. The Recycling team is very keen on encouraging people to recycle or reduce waste and more info on their services can be found by following this (link).

We are very grateful to the recycling team that have provided us with gifts to reward active community people, which in turn highlights their very important services.

Graffiti

This graffiti can be found near the property at 145 Grove Road. I have reported it to the Streetscene team.

Barleyfield Close - What has happened!

Whilst delivering letters in your area, a local resident has complained about the bulky waste to the fore of the property above and has purported that the hose pipe visible is permanently trailing across the street - causing a health and safety hazard.

I noticed that graffiti has returned to the Green telecoms box close to the corner of Barleyfield Close.

The same green box and the adjoining bush make the pavement very inaccessible.

This spiky bush on the very corner of Barleyfields close is also invading our streets.

This rubbish can be found at the corner of Barleyfields close and needs clearing as rat holes have previously been reported by the drain on the opposing side of the corner.

I have reported all these matters to the General Cleansing Team

Cannabis Factory alert

On Friday at 5am a fire crew responding to a rubbish blaze at garages on Freshwell Avenue discovered a disused Cannabis Factory. This is a real disappointment as two years ago I reported 3 Cannabis factories on Sommerville and Brian Road, that were subsequently raided and we have not had any other finds of this nature since then. I must add however, that Freshwell Avenue and adjoining roads, are deficient of any Neighbourhood Watch. Hearsay evidence from such groups, can develop into crime investigations that uncover such deeds. I am making it a priority to initiate a new watch in the area, to tackle acquisitive crime and antisocial behaviour.

In the meanwhile should residents notice any strange activity in previously disused property or a strange herb-like smell in the atmosphere. Please do report it to us.

Knife Attack - to close to home!

Youth Stabbing in our neighbourhood!

Perceptions of crime can be skewered and I do not want to create untoward community apprehension. However, it has recently come to light that two youths (students of Chadwell Heath Foundation School) were involved in a youth knife crime incident. I have previoulsy heard of many similar incidents on the south of the borough, but this is the first reported incident in our pleasant ward of Chadwell. Some solace can be gained from the fact that an arrest has been made and although injuries have been sustained by the victim, the wounds are not fatal. Irrespective of the fact that no life has been lost, it is imperative that we tackle the pervading social malaise of knife crime. I have been working with the Local police, ASBO team and Parks Police in trying to find a resolution.

Sgt Lowrie of Chadwell SNT has encouraged Liaquat Ali ( Redbrige Youth Services) and his team to provide the services of their Youth Bus - this has a gaming facility, DJ workshop and much more for young people to participate with in the evenings. The teams youth workers also engage with young people teaching sexual health, providing counselling and support to young people and encouraging them to be good citizens.

I am trying to secure use of Crucible Park for the activity, as it has evening lighting and would be a better venue then the initially proposed streets of Crucible Close and Millhaven Close. At the moment, I am just awaiting a response from Parks Police confirming that they would be willing to facilitate the opening and closing.

I have been involved in a long term project for a community monument promoting peace. It would be located at the site where one of our most highlighted victims tragically lost his life in a fatal knife crime incident. If you would like to know more about the project, please (click here)

Sgt Lowrie has emailed me about the post and would like me to add:

"Could you mention that the youth workers will also be attending areas identified by police to engage youths that would benefit from this bus and their facilities"

The answer to his query is of course! We all value the efforts of Sgt Lowrie and his dedicated team and I wish him luck with this and other projects. I have asked that the corner of Roxy Avenue and Chadwell Heath Lane be considered for action. I would also encourage other residents to come forward with other areas affected by youth antisocial behaviour.

Flora Fauna Roxy Conway NHW Meeting

In the image above you can see Wilson Chowdhry of the Green Party, Jesse Boucher (Liberal Party), the Deputy Coordinator and Coordinator of the new FFRC NHW and Isla Martin from the Green Party.

-

It was disappointing that only 5 residents turned up of for the meeting (two are not in the picture), however, this is not unusual for new Neighbourhood Watches. Generally it takes determination and successes to grow community groups of this type and I have great belief that the candidates selected as Coordinator and deputy for the group, are of the right calibre and quality, to make this group successful.

-

The Police had informed us they could not attend the meeting, however they expressed great interest in attending a future meeting. The exemplary Phil Walby from the antisocial behaviour team apologised that he would not be able to make it due to being off sick for 3 days. He had the courtesy to call when at home and poorly on the day of the event and it is rare for him to miss NHW meetings, that I invite him to attend. Those missed by him are always based on valid reasoning. He has declared an interest in attending the next meeting of this group.

Issues raised on the day included:

• The rise in Burglary in the area - at least 7 houses have been burgled on the streets within the watch over a 1 year period. This has made residents worried about becoming the next victim. It was felt that a group such as NHW would keep people aware of burglary trends that would reciprocally increase vigilance. It was also felt that a regular newsletter and watch meetings would keep people informed of crime prevention devices, deterrents and processes that could secure their homes.
• Antisocial Behaviour - a group of youths have been conglomerating around the corner of Roxy Avenue and Chadwell Heath Lane. The youths are intimidating due to their number and have exhibited antisocial tendencies such as bullying, taunting and noise pollution in the area. Wilson informed residents this had been previously logged with the police after a Chadwell Heath Action Group Meeting including antisocial behaviour from within flats just before the off licence at the top of Roxy Avenue - before Chadwell Heath Lane. Wilson agreed to obtain a report form the Police and ASBO Team
• Underage liquor sales- Residents queried whether underage drinking was fuelled by ease of sale at the Roxy Off Licence. This item had been raised at a previous CHAG meeting and Wilson has asked for data on the proposed exercise. If there is no data Wilson has asked for an operation to be scheduled.
• Vehicle theft - a vehicle was stolen from a residents drive after a key was pilfered from the residents house via either a fishing rod or magnetised pole. This residents was particularly worried about the potential for the crime to affect other residents. With this in mind we urge residents to place their keys in a key box or away from their front foyer to prevent similar demoralising crime.
• Arson Attack- It seems like arson is rife throughout our ward (Chadwell Allotments the worst hit area). A dumped or stolen car on Conway Crescent caused a real fright to the local community when it erupted in flames after a loud bang. The crime was reported in the Ilford recorder - yet disappointingly no residents came form the road to enlighten us any more. Wilson is to ask the Chadwell SNT about whether the culprits were caught or if similar incidents had occured in the ward.
• Crime prevention devices and signage- All the visitors agreed that signage and crime prevention devices such as UV property label pens, blue badge prevention devices, panic alarms etc -would provide a tangible benefit to residents and stimulate an interest in the Group. Wilson informed the group that he had secured a grant of £9650 for the "Redbridge Neighbourhood Watch Association" (RNWA), from the Home Office for the roll-out of a boroughwide "No Bogus Callers Zone" Scheme. 50% of the budget is for marketing of the group which could include promo gifts for NHW's such as the items suggested. On Monday at an regular RNWA meeting it was agreed to fund such items - hooray! Wilson will inform Chadwell Coordinators of this success shortly.
• Wilson provided gifts in the form of sturdy green waste collection bags provided by the General Cleansing team. There are only a few left for distribution by the Council and Wilson warned that a spate of theft of these bags could ensue as they are much envied. On this jest the meeting was brought to a close.

The meeting was a real success as even though small in number we achieved and agreed a lot of items. I even placed a friendly arm around the surprised Jesse Boucher. Without detriment I add that I have read his blog and recognise his disappointment in the low number of attendees and the late cancellation by the ASBO Team. However, I request that he and other residents give the group a try, as the Sargent for the local Police Team is very interested in attending the next meeting and a platform for better local crime awareness and community integration is in the making.

Tragic accident on Green Lane!

Who ya gonna call "Road Busters"

Many of you will have heard about the tragic accident of the primary school child who was shuttled to Queens Hospital by ambulance, following a road incident last week. Please read the Ilford Recorder article (here).

Weirdly enough, I was the first person to raise concerns about the safety of the junction at which Thames water are undergoing the planting of new, less leaky, plastic water utility pipes.

I first raised a safety issue regarding crossing at the junction with the Highways Team and the Police, back in September. PC Craig from the Mayfield Police investigated and sent his recommendations to the Highways Team. The road was at the time, in an even worse state than the current condition and regular crossings were being taken from the Middle of a cross junction. Alternative safe crossing locations involved at least 50m detours, this Unfortunately encouraged adults and children alike, to opt for reduced safety in exchange for easier and shorter crossings.

My complaint was met with a temporary "Stop and Go Operator", for a period of two days. As the road became marginally safer, the initial safety impetus was lost.

Today I met with the Local Police Sgt Paul Keely, Highways Engineer Syed Hussain and his cohorts - at the location of the danger spot. I suggested that the "Stop here for Lights" sign be moved 20 yards further, so that vehicles were made to stop and to observe the existing pedestrian crossing (Traffic signals currently inactive). Not rocket science I know, and after much argument all parties agreed with my initial proposal. This has already created a much safer crossing area, although drivers pulling out of corners or speeding through red lights, are still creating an element of danger.

Furthermore, to this I should add that Syed Hussain has convinced the contractors to contact TFL, requesting the reinstatement of the Traffic lights. I also believe that if resource is available the Police will provide a crossing officer between the Hours of 09:00 - 10:00 and 15: 00 - 16:00 to safeguard children crossing at this dangerous location. This after the Lollipop team and Highways team confirmed no staff were available due to the short notice and other commitments.

Syed Hussain and Sgt Paul Keely deserve special praise for their efforts to resolve a matter that should have been a contractor responsibility.

I think I know a Graffiti Culprit!

In the pictures above you will see the abbreviated Moe and Mohammed written on a garage and the pavement floor of Shepherds Close (near no 61). It transpires that your friendly Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator; Isla Martin is aware of a young lad with a similar name, living not too far from the writing. Details of the graffiti and the boy's address have been forwarded to the Streetscene team. The same red spray can is increasingly being used to write graffiti in the local area. Already more graffiti has been placed on the garage in the top picture and there is similar evidence of graffiti in the adjoining borough of Barking and Dagenham, not 20 yards away. This may be a prank and it may not have been Mohammed that wrote the graffiti, however, it will be the responsibility of the Streetscene team to investigate and I will report back to you accordingly.

My participation and Redbridge Carnival Court's involvement in Redbridge events.

Hey, even if no-one else appreciates us! The Court and I are having a whale of a time!

The Redbridge Carnival court and I have really enjoyed participating in local events this year. These include both the Area 5 Committee Event (20th September) and the excellent Sponsored walk and run organised by Joe Browne and the Ilford Athletics Club in Valentines Park on the 27th September.

If you want more details on our participation at these events, please follow this link for the Area 5 Festival and this link for the Sponsored walk and run. We also held a wonderful award ceremony for local groups and individuals - view more here.

A commentator has complained that I have claimed the glory for organising the Area 5 Festival (read comments on this post). This same commentator has a Council email – could they be one of the Labour Councillors that had little input into the event – barring agreeing the funding as they though it would serve their purposes…? Hmmm…I wonder! Besides, they are paid for their time and committment or lack of it!

I am not paid for my work and served as best as I could, whilst continuing my works with the plethora of other groups I am involved with. I am the founder and chief organiser of Redbridge Carnival and am proud of my efforts, which has seen the return of a much loved event, that has been sought after- ever since its demise 21 years ago.

Although I was not chief organiser of the Area 5, few could disagree with my commitment and input towards the event. It would be great if the commentator named themselves, just so we can accurately calibrate their own investment into the event….?

If you feel our Redbridge Carnival court has done us proud - do tell....?

Rather hilarious actually...!

Below you will see extracts from Jesse Boucher's new blog. He is a representative of the Chadwell Liberal Party and had to eat some humble pie after it transpired, that it was his analogue watch that had it's calendar one day out and not the dates on my posted letters, that almost caused him to miss last nights rather successful Neighbourhood Watch Meeting for Conway Crescent, Roxy Avenue, Fauna Close and Flora Gardens. Never mind, at least he corrected his error and apologised - in a way...

A full report with a picture of those willing to be pictured form the new watch will be uploaded on Monday - see extracts from blog:

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Neighbourhood Watch
I shall be attending this meeting if only Wilson could get the date straightened out! The Leaflet says Thursday 9th October. But is it Thursday or the 9th? Who knows? It's a good idea for Chadwell to have a Neighbourhood Watch set up but if the organisation is this bad already it doesn't bode well. Ho Hum.....
Posted by Jesse Boucher at 8:13 AM
Labels: Chadwell Neighbourhood Watch

2 comments:

Wilson Chowdhry said...
Chadwell has had 15 new NHW's set up recently and this one in particular is to be held on the 8th October (TONIGHT!). Do come you might learn something useful.
October 8, 2009 10:15 AM

Jesse Boucher said...
Ok , I have a confession to make it was me that got the date wrong, and yes I did make it to the meeting! Some you win some you don't! Jesse

If you want to read Jesse's blog directly click (here)

Please do forgive his faux pas in publicly accusing me of an error when the fault was his own. Personally I do not believe this error to be entirely his fault. In his position, I would take up a complaint against the manufacturers of his dubious time piece. At least I was able to impart some of my local knowledge to him, at the meeting organised by the Green Party, that will serve he and other resident's of his road in the fruition of time.

Hooray!

Last night I was officially selected as a prospective Councillor for Chadwell Ward - representing the Green Party of course! I am really excited by this decision, which gives credence to the work I have completed over the last 4 years. I am grateful to the Green Party for putting so much trust and faith in me. I hope to do them proud and trust that many of you reading this blog will reciprocate their endorsement and my commitment by voting Green in the 2010 local elections. Thank you for all the kind words of support received thus far and do feel free to write more in the comments section under this post. Thank you all!

Makes you Laugh!

You will hopefully remember a post a few days ago that highlighted the ridiculous height of a low trees sign placed on a lamp post, by our under zealous TFL. It transpires that a similar sign near a park in Tottenham has been placed at the same height - I saw this for myself over the weekend.

It makes you wonder what TFL do with their maintenance budget when they cannot afford to give their staff ladders...?!

The Yellow advertiser covered the story and an apology and promise of an increase in the height from the ground of the sign has been made. Well done Isla Martin!

I still have not heard anymore about the purported work of Liberal Democrat Helen Duffet, however, here is a poem that was written in the comments page by a viewer of our blog - I found it quite amusing - although I cannot see my resemblance with a spider?!

"Little Ms Duffett sat on a tuffet,
Typing her words to say
Along came a spider
Who sat down beside her
And frightened Ms Duffett away."

Please share your thoughts - try to leave out the Wilson's a creepy spider gags....Please..

Terrible road surface!

Whilst walking along the High Road distributing our recent letter to residents Isla Martin and I noticed the broken bollard opposite Burns Avenue leading to the Commercial estate with Smyths Toys. I have reported this to the Highways department.

A residents stopped us and asked us to report the lead pole sticking out of the pavement. You can just see it in the mid centre, of the lower part of the picture (click on image to enlarge). It does seem dangerous, however, I do not know if the pavement is privately or publicly owned. I have reported the matter to the highways department.

Here is a closer image of the dangerous lead pole protruding form the pavement surface.