Crucible Close dilemma

Residents of Crucible Close. Millhaven Close and Capstan Close have developed a strong Neighbourhood Watch Unit and have now started to lead within the Chadwell Heath ACtion Group. This is good for residents in their area and I woudl advise residents from other areas to follow their example to improve localised communities.

Three issues have been raised at the last CHAG meeting from the participants from these areas. Firstly the drain covers in the picture are light weight, flimsy and are prone to vandalism from local youths. The drains below which are believed to be disused contain a 4ft cavity. Residents are fearful that this poses a real health and safety threat.

A fence has been broken down by recent winds, however no owner is claiming ownership of the fence or the land, which is believed to be owned by the council. The council has not been trimming bushes and vegetation in the area or maintaining the road beliveing the are private. I now have a letter provided by the members of CHAG that suggests that the property is owned by the council - this letter is endorsed by a solicitor from an established law society approved solicitor. I am challenging our council to provide us with a definitive response.

There is also fencing broken to the rear of this unclaimed territory that has been subject to vandalism by local youths. They have also ripped open the meshing and it seems as if it is youths that use this are for rather antisocial behaviour including the destruction of property. I have informed the Police and the ASBO Team.

Circle Anglia Housing Association have been contacted on several occasions regarding a dilapidated porch with broken glass which I cut my hand on back in March this year. The dangerous state of the porch is still evidently similar if not more jagged when viewed through this picture evidence. I have reported the concern to health and safety and to Circle Anglia again.

Head of Parks Police responds!

I entered the details of my recent debates (1) (2) on Park Policing on to the Redbridge I forum and it has stimulated much debate. We have even had a response returned from our Head of Parks Police - it would seem the issue is still regarded as one of little consequence....? I will persevere with my pursuit for better recognition of the problem and hope this action will stimulate better incident reporting to the appropriate bodies. Here is the response received:

"Hello, The possession of cannabis and its apparent availability is a cause for concern. The vast majority of cannabis offences only become known when a detection is made. In other words when someone is found in possession of it. It is very unusual that crimes are recorded other than by this method because there is no victim. In this regard I do not mean the person in possession. That may be another debate. I have now rechecked the figures that I have available since January 2006 to date and there have been 187 detections for possession of cannabis. Over the period of time therefore on average 1 offence per week. Statistically not very much when you compare other crimes that occur more frequently. A far more interesting figure from my point of view, as Head of Parks Police, is that of the 187 offences detected in Redbridge 185 of them have been detected since the introduction of the Parks Police. In South Park, which was where Wilson started this debate, 16 of the 17 detections have been recorded since the introduction of the Parks Police. I cannot say that they have all been by the Parks Police but I know and have the records that the majority have. If anyone has information about the use of cannabis at any location Parks or elsewhere then they could if they wish pass that to the Parks Police on 07904 640042 or 0208 554 5986. If it is not within our jurisdiction then the information will be passed to the appropriate SNT. Should anyone want to discuss this matter or any other affecting Parks then please contact me at Lynton House.Regards, Head of Service Parks Operations/Parks Police."

I feel the need to query whether the introduction of the Parks Police resulted in the increased reporting of drug crime in the park, or whether in actual fact, the Parks police was commissioned as a result of increased crime in parks including drug related offences. It would also be very interesting to know if other residents could advise me of Drug related crime in their parks in the south of Ilford, as judging by the story in this weeks "Wanstead & Woodford Guardian" the problem is rife in parks in the north and west of our borough......?

I have contacted Mike Gapes MP for Ilford South and MP Lee Scott for Ilford North regarding this issue. I received a response back from MP Lee Scott on the very same day stating:

"Dear Wilson I will ask for this to be looked into in my constituency Regards Lee"

This is commensurate with his usual very prompt and professional approach to local issues. I am yet to get a response form MP Mike Gapes. If I receive one, however, I will inform residents of its content.

Parking Solutions.

In recent times I have campaigned for a yellow line on the bend at Fields Park Crescent. Vehicles parked there were causing a health and safety hazard and local nuisance. I also campaigned for a residents parking scheme on Birchdale Gardens that was to be introduced without yellow line implementation.

Today I received this response from a senior highways officer:

"With regard to Birchdale Gardens, this remains, as previously advised. I will be speaking to the Area 5 Committee representative to see how best we can progress this. With regard to Fields Park Crescent, as previously advised, this is on the Parking Management Work Programme. I can, however, inform you that we will be advertising the legal Traffic Management Orders for this road along with other roads and this is expected to take place next month."

This is good news for residents of Fields Park Crescent and I will continue to campaign for Birchdale residents.

Chadwell Successes!

Medal Hopeful

SPORTY Jack Booth hopes to once more reign supreme at the British transplant Games.
Jack 13, a pupil at Oaks Park High School, Oaks Lane, Newbury Park, scooped a gold and two bronzes at the event in Sheffield last year.

He is hoping to do even better at this year’s tournament in Coventry from Thursday 30th July 09 until Sunday, where he will compete in swimming, running, obstacle and badminton.
Jack, of Haywards close, Chadwell Heath was born with a genetic condition which caused his kidneys to fail. He was given a transplant a day before his first birthday.

Chadwell truly is a very succesful community!

School Crises rears its ugly had again!

A four year old girl was refused a place at Grove Primary School despite her living approximately 10 minutes from the school. The Ilford Recorder revealed this terrible state of affairs providing details of a Mr Osbourne who lived in Glanford Way (just of Grove Road near the location of the Chadwell Heath Lane/ Grove Road Junction). The official stance by the council is that priority is given to children within 0.422 miles of the School. This unfortunate family lives 0.463 miles from the school. The parents are now being offered alternative opportunities to apply for school places in Woodford, Hainault, and two in Chigwell.

This decision is one that really highlights the incompetence of the existing cabinet and councillors and our wonderful government. For years, parents have been rallying on about the need for local schools, and for limited school places. Our local Council failed to address this issue. Our labour Government have promoted choice and league table and in their introduction of Sat tests have exhibited a profligacy (wastefulness) that has limited the funding for new schools, whilst increasing the burden on teachers and stress for younger students.

I fear that with the existing focus on land sales and large scale developments the current burden on local facilities will result in an impossible situation for prospective parents wishing to provide local education to their children. Let's hope the review of the proposed East Thames Homes site at Grove Farm produces a more sensible scale and design of project. Even better....what a good place for a school...? If Councilors do not respond soon to the demand for more school places I am afraid that areas such as Goodmayes, Chadwell, Seven Kings, Mayfield, Clementswood and Loxford ward will be sending their children to the north and West of the borough for a long time yet!

The whole fiasco behind the diabolical league table scheme introduced by labour, evidences the governments, unwillingness to tackle the real issue of school education. What we truly need is good education on our back doorstep, not the privilege of selecting schools excelling by relocation or long term travel. The Green Party believes in raising the standards of education holistically so that everyone has an opportunity for a solid and comprehensive educational experience.

Chadwell Heath Station Attack!

A woman was threatened with a knife at Chadwell Heath Station on Thursday 23rd July. She was approcahed in the Car Park by a man who pulled out a knife and tried to assault her at 1.20am. She escaped and a passer-by phoned the Police.

This is not the first time crime of this nature has occured and it is a concern that this vulnerable woman went through what must have been a very traumatic experience. Knife crime and violent crime is associated with the High Stret and the rae around this station. Our police are aware of the issues and are working diligently towards resolving what looks like a long term problem.

My advice to residents would be:
To avoid being alone during unsociable hours around the High Road and the station. to carry a mobile phone.

• To immediately contact someone you know if you see anything suspicious and to stay on the phone until the threat has disappeared.
• Carry a panic alarm with you as this provides an effective deterrent.
• Always inform people where you are before you go out.

I will be approaching Barking and Dagenham Council to enquire into possible CCTV for these locations. However, previous requests have fallen on deaf ears.

Business Watch Meeting

Mayfield and Goodmayes Safer Neighbourhood Teams plan to hold a Business Watch Meeting on the 19th August 2009 at 19:30 hrs. The meeting will be held at Parkside Community Centre, 176 Goodmayes Lane, Ilford.

The aim of the meeting is to discuss how to improve policing in the area and Police Officers will bethere to listen to your concerns and suggestions.

Crime Prevention officers will also be attending to advise business owners on how to keep businesses safe and secure.

If you are a business owner....please help the Police to help you by attending a meeting set up primarily for your local crime issues.

Mayfield Contact no: 020 8721 2028

Goodmayes Contact no: 020 8721 2766

email: mayfield.snt@met.police.uk or goodmayes.snt@met.police.uk