News has just broken that The Redeemed Christian Church of God Praise Embassy located in Electricity House, 33A Bexley Road, Erith has lost its temporary planning permission. The building. shown in the photo above - click on it for a larger view, has been used as a church, and formerly as a children's nursery, until after an investigation by Ofsted and the Metropolitan Police, the Bright Steps nursery was closed down and its licence revoked after a member of staff was seen hitting a child, and the operators of the nursery destroyed CCTV footage of the incident, which I have covered in detail in the past. Now Bexley Council want the church out. The decision of Bexley Council reads as follows:- "TAKE NOTICE that Bexley Council, the Local Planning Authority under the Town and Country Planning Acts, HAS REFUSED TO PERMIT the development of land situated at :33A Bexley Road Erith, Kent DA8 1SH. For continued use of premises as a place of worship and educational training / community centre and day nursery previously approved for a limited period. Referred to in the application for permission for development received on 25th February 2019, and that the grounds for such refusal are as attached. The applicant has failed to provide the Local Planning Authority with adequate and unambiguous information to enable a thorough and detailed assessment of the proposed scheme. Information including; detailed floor plans showing how the rooms within the building are utilised; details of how and when the outdoor play is going to be used; and an up to date travel plan. Access to the site to conduct an inspection was also denied. The proposed is therefore contrary to Policies ENV39, COM3 and T17 of the Unitary Development Plan (2004) and Policy 3.18 in The London Plan (2016). PLEASE NOTE:- In dealing with this planning application, Bexley Council has worked with the applicant in a positive and proactive manner, in accordance with the requirements of paragraphs 186 and 187 of the National Planning Policy Framework, to seek solutions to problems where practicable. Detailed advice is available in the form of the Council’s Development Plan as well as in the Mayor of London’s and Bexley Council’s Supplementary Planning Documents and Guidance. The Council also offers a full pre-application service that is available to all applicants to assist in formulating their proposals". Quite what will happen to the church now is anyone's guess. As far as the building is concerned, my sources indicate that Bexley Council want to redevelop the site. Electricity House was built back in 1938 and opened in November 1939 as a showroom and offices for the local electricity company, which at the time was run by the council. Pre – war services such as gas, water and electricity supply were quite commonly managed and supplied by local councils; the idea of private companies being involved was something that did not happen until after the war had ended. Electricity House was also a place where new electrical customers could view domestic appliances which they could buy via hire purchase (it sounds like an early version of BrightHouse, but without the crippling interest rates). As well as the showroom, Electricity House was home to what contemporary accounts say was a very upmarket dance hall with a fully sprung Canadian Maple floor; there was also a small Pathe cinema. The local electricity business was astonishingly successful – probably much helped by the fact that it offered the cheapest metered electricity in the entire UK at the time – one penny per unit. Ten thousand local people signed up for electrification in the first month alone, attracted by the offer of free connection to the local power grid – unusual at the time – many suppliers would even charge for the copper cable to connect new customers. In 1939 the Erith electricity board made a (for then) massive profit of £13,000. The idea was that the money would be used to improve local services and amenities for all, but the advent of war meant that early in 1940 Electricity House was handed over for war work, and once peace was restored, the money intended to benefit local people was absorbed by the LEB during nationalisation, and nothing was ever seen of it. The building is now very run down and dilapidated, and from what I understand the only real source of income is the mobile phone masts and cell transceivers mounted on the roof. This is all under a background of Bexley Council negotiating with the individual leaseholders in order to buy out the leases in Electricity House prior to what I and many others believe to be a compulsory purchase order and then site redevelopment. What do you think? Leave a comment below, or alternatively Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
After last weekend's Open House event, when I met several readers as I ran guided tours around the historic Carnegie Library building in Walnut Tree Road, Erith, I have had correspondence from long time reader Dana Wiffen, who sent me the photographs above. Dana writes:- "The Railway RANG (Royal Arsenal Narrow Gauge-Railway) is now running - which is wonderful, as their original predictions were for the spring 2020. The Loco and carriage are looking really good, and they are working to extend to the car park with appropriate platforms and passing double tracks. This is a 2 foot gauge railway and follows the route of the 1861 William Websters contractors railway which brought in the materials for the building of Crossness Engines Pumping Station. This is a superb added attraction for the many visitors to the wonderful partly restored pump engines that visit every year which includes a growing band of visitors from outside of the UK. The next and final open day of this year will be Sunday 20th October 2019 when the pump engine "Prince Consort" will be in steam as well as the railway running and the many other places of interest to visit, there is also a superb tea room". The engine pictured above is named "Bazalgette" after the pioneering Victorian engineer Sir Joseph Bazalgette, the creator of Crossness Sewage Works, and much of London's sewage systems. As chief engineer to London's metropolitan board of works in the mid-19th century, Bazalgette had a significant impact both on London's appearance and, through his design of an efficient sewage system, on the health of its inhabitants. Joseph Bazalgette was born in London on 28 March 1819. His father was a captain in the Royal Navy. Bazalgette began his career as a railway engineer, gaining considerable experience in land drainage and reclamation. In 1842 he set up in private practice. In 1856, London's metropolitan board of works was established. The board was the first organisation to supervise public works in a unified way over the whole city, and it elected Joseph Bazalgette as its first, and only, chief engineer. In the mid-19th century, London was suffering from recurring epidemics of cholera. In 1853 - 1854 more than 10,000 Londoners were killed by the disease. It was thought at the time to be caused by foul air. The hot summer of 1858 created the 'Great Stink of London', which overwhelmed all those who went near the Thames - including the occupants of Parliament. This, together with the frequent occurrence of Cholera, gave impetus to legislation enabling the metropolitan board to begin work on sewers and street improvements. By 1866 most of London was connected to a sewer network devised by Bazalgette. He saw to it that the flow of foul water from old sewers and underground rivers was intercepted, and diverted along new, low-level sewers, built behind embankments on the riverfront and taken to new treatment works. By 1870 both the Albert and the Victoria Embankments had been opened. These replaced the tidal mud of the Thames shore with reclaimed ground for riverside roads and gardens behind their curved river walls. The Victoria Embankment protected Bazalgette's low-level sewer, as well as a service subway and the underground railway. The Chelsea Embankment was completed in 1874, reclaiming over 52 acres from the Thames. Throughout this busy time, Bazalgette continued to train young civil engineers and provide independent advice to other British towns and cities - as well as places as far apart as Budapest and Port Louis, Mauritius. Bazalgette died on 15 March 1891.
In another rail related post, details of the remedial work to the banks of the railway in and around Barnehurst Station have been published during the week; as you may recall there was serious disruption to the Bexleyheath line in February, when a series of landslides caused the line to be blocked for a week; temporary remedial action was taken then, and there are now plans for a permanent fix. The 853 Blog wrote recently:- "The Bexleyheath line will be closed between Blackheath and Dartford between 15 and 23 February so engineers can remove thousands of tonnes of soil and install retaining walls with steel beams at Barnehurst. Network Rail says the work, timed to take place in the half-term holiday, will protect the route from landslips for the next 120 years. Extra and longer trains will run on the adjacent Greenwich and Sidcup lines, with the route between Blackheath and Charlton also staying open for trains". The Bexleyheath based Community Rail Partnership said of the forthcoming closure:- "In short, whilst the Community Rail Partnership is broadly in favour of the closure and only for the week as it means the problem is solved, we are mostly concerned with the impact on passengers. The last closure saw buses running between Dartford and Lewisham which were absolutely empty (except between about Dartford and Bexleyheath), because nobody wants to sit on a bus for 60+ minutes between Bexleyheath and Lewisham (if not longer) then to have to get on another train. The B11 was creaking at the seams between Bexleyheath and Abbey Wood and this means we need rail replacement buses not to go 'linear' but 'lateral'. We also want to make sure absolutely tonnes of trains go through Woolwich so that they not only still serve Blackheath and Lewisham; but also allows the focal point for rail replacement to be at Erith, Abbey Wood, Woolwich Arsenal and maybe one other place in the Greenwich area. We have asked Network Rail and South Eastern to attend a meeting with councillors and MPs but also want them to submit their plans for the train service before the T-13 week (3 month) deadline so they can't then 'hide behind' the fact that everything's already been decided. We assess that we've got until about October 15th to give them up to 3 weeks to make any changes and still have 3 months to prepare the rail replacement plans with local councils (temporary bus stops and such). I'll hope they bother to email back and hope for good news".
I came across some pretty worrying information earlier this week. Millennials only truly relax for seven hours a week – because they are too wrapped up in their mobile phones. A poll of 2,000 adults found hectic home and work lives mean those aged 18-34 get less than 60 minutes to themselves each day. Around six in 10 even say they ‘never’ truly relax, because they’re always checking their phone for emails and messages. One tenth even admitted they struggle to go longer than 10 minutes without checking their smartphones. A staggering nine in 10 also confess to opening their phone, even though they know they haven’t had any messages, just to look at the screen. But even older generations are struggling to relax, getting just 90 minutes to unwind each day. Sometimes people wonder why I don't have a mobile phone - this concern is just one of my many answers. On from one form of communication to another - who says I don't plan these things?
I came across some pretty worrying information earlier this week. Millennials only truly relax for seven hours a week – because they are too wrapped up in their mobile phones. A poll of 2,000 adults found hectic home and work lives mean those aged 18-34 get less than 60 minutes to themselves each day. Around six in 10 even say they ‘never’ truly relax, because they’re always checking their phone for emails and messages. One tenth even admitted they struggle to go longer than 10 minutes without checking their smartphones. A staggering nine in 10 also confess to opening their phone, even though they know they haven’t had any messages, just to look at the screen. But even older generations are struggling to relax, getting just 90 minutes to unwind each day. Sometimes people wonder why I don't have a mobile phone - this concern is just one of my many answers. On from one form of communication to another - who says I don't plan these things?
I know that I have a fairly large number of Radio Amateurs amongst my readership; As many may know, I too am a Radio Amateur, though not a particularly active one. Something that has come to my attention that should be of concern to anyone with an amateur radio licence is that radio equipment that is only to be used by qualified and licenced individuals under the terms and conditions of their licence is being sold online with no check as to the purchaser, and whether they are allowed to own and operate the equipment. Test purchases have been made on Amazon, and no questions as to the customers licence type or callsign were made when an order was placed for a 2m VHF and 70cm UHF transceiver of the type illustrated in the photograph above. It strikes me that it would be very easy for anyone to purchase amateur radio equipment online and use it without the necessary training or qualifications in how to operate it properly and within the law. One might argue that in the past, many prospective radio amateurs started off pirating - mainly on the two metre VHF band. The difference in the past was that even basic equipment was relatively expensive - a handheld transceiver similar to the one pictured above would cost several hundred pounds. This meant that only fairly serious people would try to purchase such a unit, and they would usually be asked for their licence details. Obviously they could use someone else's callsign - the checks were fairly rudimentary - which had the effect of making a purchase, even for someone unqualified, quite a challenge. Those unlicensed people were committed, and almost invariably they went on to study for the Radio Amateur Exams (RAE). I am pretty certain that a "blind eye" was turned to these individuals in many cases, as it was regarded as one way of bringing new blood into the technical hobby. Circumstances nowadays have changed remarkably. The handheld radio above is currently on sale on the Amazon UK website for £31.99. That is not a misprint - one can buy the radio for just under £32. Price is no longer a bar to purchasing, and when this is added to the complete lack of eligibility checks, it creates a worrying situation. Non - radio amateurs do have access to some very good two way radio products, the first of which is Citizen's Band radio. Citizens’ Band (‘CB’) radio operates in the 27 MHz band. It is a short-range radio service for both hobby and business use. It is designed to be used without the need for technical qualifications. However, its use must not cause interference to other radio users. You can read more about Citizen's Band radio in the UK by clicking here. The other radio service offered to unlicenced people in the UK is PMR 446 ("Private Mobile Radio, 446 MHz") is a licence exempt service in the UHF radio frequency band and is available for business and personal use in most countries throughout the European Union. PMR446 is typically used for small-site, same-building and line of sight outdoor activities. Equipment used ranges from consumer-grade to professional quality walkie-talkies. Depending on surrounding terrain range can vary from a few hundred metres (in a city) to a few kilometres (flat countryside) to many kilometres from high ground. You can read more about PMR 446 radios by clicking here. The point is, that there are very good alternatives to amateur radio if you want wireless two way communication without the need to study, sit three exams and get an amateur radio licence. Why should you become involved with Amateur Radio, when so many other communications methods are now available? This short video, which is mainly aimed at younger people, and those with no background in technology, will explain.
It would appear that a new Micro Pub may soon be opened in the local area; a planning application has been submitted to convert a former tattoo parlour located at 149 Long Lane, Bexleyheath into a new Micro Pub. Word reaches me that the woman who has submitted the application has been trained in how to run a Micro Pub by the owners of the The Broken Drum in Blackfen.
I know that many locals are now looking forward to the annual Christ Church Erith Christmas Tree Festival. The Christmas Tree Festival will be taking place as usual on the 13th-15th December. The event is a firm fixture in the calendar of the local area, with visitors coming from as far away as Milton Keynes to see the decorated Christmas trees which fill the Grade II* listed church over the long weekend, and which raises so much money for local good causes. Last night was the annual fund raising Friends of Christ Church Erith quiz and raffle night. Turnout was excellent; around a hundred local people turned up for a very challenging general knowledge quiz, and a raffle with some excellent prizes - first prize was £250 cash, second £100 cash, third was a £50 Marks and Spencer voucher, fourth was a DAB radio, and runners up prizes included a beer gift set from the excellent Bexley Brewery. Only one thing threatened to mar the event before it even started. I, along with several other people were witness to an attempted fly tipping yesterday afternoon. A dark blue Ford Transit van with white lettering on the side saying "LC Plastering Services" stopped in the car park of the church hall at Christ Church at around 5.20pm. Two young white males were in the cab. The driver got out and opened the back of the van. I, and a couple of other people went out to investigate, as we suspected the occupants of the transit van were about to carry out fly tipping. The driver got back into the van saying "It is all right, we are going" and then drove off after being caught red handed. Due to the angle, I was unable to get the vehicle registration number. No actual crime was committed, but I feel had we not interceded, one would have. I detest all criminality, and fly tipping in particular. Please keep a look out for a van matching the description above; I suspect that they will fly tip elsewhere. What do you think? Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
Talking of local Micro Pubs, The Kentish Belle in Pickford Lane, Bexleyheath has been in the news recently, when a reporter from the flagship BBC Radio 4 Today programme interviewed customers with regard to the current Brexit situation. Whilst the comments were heavily edited, the views expressed covered a number of opinions, all of which appeared to be erudite and well expressed. The Kentish Belle also started an experiment, which I have not heard any other Micro Pub trying. It opened at 6am on Friday morning as a cafe as a part of MacMillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. Its location next to Bexleyheath Station means that they get a lot of passing trade. On the early morning opening, with teas, coffees, toast, cakes and muffins along with breakfast bars and fruit juice, I understand that in addition to custom from regular visitors, many new faces were welcomed for breakfast on their way to work. The event was judged a success; If further early morning cafe dates are planned, I will let readers know when the details become available. I also hear that any leftover wrapped / portioned food with a long life was going to be donated to Bexley Food Bank. A total of £369.48 was raised for MacMillan.
I know that many locals are now looking forward to the annual Christ Church Erith Christmas Tree Festival. The Christmas Tree Festival will be taking place as usual on the 13th-15th December. The event is a firm fixture in the calendar of the local area, with visitors coming from as far away as Milton Keynes to see the decorated Christmas trees which fill the Grade II* listed church over the long weekend, and which raises so much money for local good causes. Last night was the annual fund raising Friends of Christ Church Erith quiz and raffle night. Turnout was excellent; around a hundred local people turned up for a very challenging general knowledge quiz, and a raffle with some excellent prizes - first prize was £250 cash, second £100 cash, third was a £50 Marks and Spencer voucher, fourth was a DAB radio, and runners up prizes included a beer gift set from the excellent Bexley Brewery. Only one thing threatened to mar the event before it even started. I, along with several other people were witness to an attempted fly tipping yesterday afternoon. A dark blue Ford Transit van with white lettering on the side saying "LC Plastering Services" stopped in the car park of the church hall at Christ Church at around 5.20pm. Two young white males were in the cab. The driver got out and opened the back of the van. I, and a couple of other people went out to investigate, as we suspected the occupants of the transit van were about to carry out fly tipping. The driver got back into the van saying "It is all right, we are going" and then drove off after being caught red handed. Due to the angle, I was unable to get the vehicle registration number. No actual crime was committed, but I feel had we not interceded, one would have. I detest all criminality, and fly tipping in particular. Please keep a look out for a van matching the description above; I suspect that they will fly tip elsewhere. What do you think? Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
Talking of local Micro Pubs, The Kentish Belle in Pickford Lane, Bexleyheath has been in the news recently, when a reporter from the flagship BBC Radio 4 Today programme interviewed customers with regard to the current Brexit situation. Whilst the comments were heavily edited, the views expressed covered a number of opinions, all of which appeared to be erudite and well expressed. The Kentish Belle also started an experiment, which I have not heard any other Micro Pub trying. It opened at 6am on Friday morning as a cafe as a part of MacMillan’s World’s Biggest Coffee Morning. Its location next to Bexleyheath Station means that they get a lot of passing trade. On the early morning opening, with teas, coffees, toast, cakes and muffins along with breakfast bars and fruit juice, I understand that in addition to custom from regular visitors, many new faces were welcomed for breakfast on their way to work. The event was judged a success; If further early morning cafe dates are planned, I will let readers know when the details become available. I also hear that any leftover wrapped / portioned food with a long life was going to be donated to Bexley Food Bank. A total of £369.48 was raised for MacMillan.
Now for the weekly local safety and security updates from Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association. Firstly the report from Barnehurst ward:- "A relatively quiet week on the ward with only 4 crimes of any relevance to report, one of which actually occurred on the Wednesday 11th September but was only reported this week. There was a theft from motor vehicle in Eversley Cross overnight of Wednesday / Thursday 11th / 12th of September. No entry appeared to be gained despite the quarter light glass being removed. On Wednesday 20th September at 5:20pm there was an attempted burglary in Pennine Way. The victim was at home on her own as the husband was out walking the dog. Suspect entered the property via the side garden gate but fled after being confronted by the victim. Suspect was a white male, slim build with a gaunt appearance. He was wearing jogging bottoms, white T-shirt and a white baseball cap. At 12:30am on Wednesday 11th September in Midfield Avenue a man entered a private driveway and attempted to gain entry to a high value car. Nothing was taken. CCTV shows a suspect who was a white male approx 5'10” wearing dark jacket and jogging bottoms. He was about 25 years old. Finally, unfortunately there was a burglary in Downbank Avenue overnight of Tuesday / Wednesday the 24th / 25th September. Victim heard nothing and woke to find she had been burgled. She discovered the front door open and an untidy search had occurred. Several items had been taken including jewellery. If you would like to meet your officers please feel free to come and have your say at our community contact sessions. The next one is coffee with cops at Barnehurst Golf Course on Tuesday the 8th October at 4pm". Belvedere ward:- "There was a garage burglary in Lower Park Road during last weekend. Residents returned home late in the evening to discover their garage door open, although it appears that no items were taken. It is thought that as many as five males were possibly involved, one of which was driving a white transit van of some kind which was being driven around the block several times. It appears that this group were trying to remove a motorbike from within the garage. PC Holmes took part in a Mental Health Assessment which was conducted at an address in Waterfield Close. The person was placed under section and conveyed to hospital for assessment and care. A car was damaged on Standard Road. Someone had put three nails into the tyre of the vehicle, which is said to be the third occasion on which this has happened. Please be vigilant when parking". Bexleyheath ward:- "Monday 9/9/19 Sadly we had an attempted burglary in Horsham Close whilst the occupant was on holiday, no entry gained and nothing taken. Thursday 12/9/19 Catalytic Convertor stolen Martens Avenue whilst occupant on holiday. Friday 13/9/19 Attempted Theft of Keyless Vehicle Bowness Road – not taken due to protective methods by owner. Sunday 22/9/19 Theft of Pedal Cycle from outside Church on Broadway not locked or chained up. Friday 13/9/19 Theft of Pedal Cycle from Leysdown Avenue. Wednesday 25/9/19 Theft of Number Plates Freta Road. Some of these crimes occurred a week or so ago and due to holidays or late reporting have only just arrived in our figures this week. The team have been successful in working with the council on the ASB issues in Iris Avenue and several youths have been called into meetings, this is ongoing as more are identified. We have also been working closely with L&Q on ASB within a property in regards to the residents living there, also ongoing. Stops and searches continue across the ward, including the war memorial, car parks, Braeside garages and other hotspots with several arrests for possession of cannabis". Crayford ward:- "Criminal damage was caused to two vehicles parked in Maiden Lane on Saturday 14th September between 21.40-22.00. A corrosive substance was thrown over all panels on each vehicle. Local CCTV shows 2 males doing this, a woman was seen to walk by soon after, it is believed she may have witnessed the incident and may be able to identify the males. A taxi driver was robbed of cash whilst dropping off a fare at Moreton Court in Perry Street on 15th September at about 14.30, the suspects are male and female and in their teens. Between 5th and 17th September a motor home was broken in to in Thames Road, items stolen included a media station valued £450, Nintendo Switch Plus £400, Bose Bluetooth Sound System £170, DVD's, Sat Nav System £150. On 17th September at 20.15 a black Audi TT was stolen from outside Crayford BR Station, the victim was selling the car and the suspect sped off with it, including documents. This vehicle has since been recovered by police to the car pound. Overnight between 6th and 7th September tools including a Makita drill, Facom tools and other items were stolen from a car parked in Walker Close. A black and green FLY370 bicycle with a 26 inch frame and 21 speed gears was stolen from the rear garden of a property in Hall Place Crescent on 20th September at 6.12am. The suspect was seen on CCTV and described as wearing a light coloured top with PUMA written on it and wearing a cap or hood. a Volkswagen parked in Tower Retail Park was criminally damaged on 22nd September between 15.00-16.00, it was scratched from front to back. A white Mercedes Sprinter had the ignition tampered with, there was no sign of entry, this happened at Tanners Close between 17.00 on the 20th September and 9.40 on 21st September. There seems to be an increase in road rage incidents around the area. On Friday evening our team conducted a traffic op at Bourne Road. Twelve vehicles were stopped for speeds well above the speed limit, tickets were issued for speeding and not wearing a seat belt. It was noted that other road users were flashing their lights to warn oncoming vehicles that we were there, this is actually an offence. Our next community contact session will be held on Thursday 3rd October at Crayford Library between 14.00-15.00, please come along if there is something you would like to discuss face to face".
Erith ward:- "No Burglaries again this week in Erith. Please see the attached leaflet re motor vehicle crime. We are planning some dates for crime prevention stalls outside of Erith police base which will include number plate theft with free secure screws plus cycle marking. Dates will be listed soon. Criminal Damage 18/09/2019 Erith High Street, Theft from Motor Vehicle 13/09/2019 17:00:00 Riverdale road, Theft of MV 21/09/2019 01:00:00 Downton Mews, Theft of Motor Vehicle 21/09/2019 14:18:00 Fraser Road, Theft from Motor Vehicle 23/09/2019 Lesney Park Road, Theft from Motor Vehicle 25/09/2019 12:00:00 James Watt Way". Northumberland Heath ward:- "Sorry no crime report this week from your team, please remember car crime is high with both theft of MV and theft from MV continuing to be a problem. If you know friends or family that live in your ward and are not covered by NW perhaps you can encourage them to join us. Crime stats are lower in NW-covered areas with 2 out of every 3 burglaries being in areas that are not covered by us". Slade Green and Northend ward:- "An attempted garage burglary took place around 0430 on Saturday 21/09/2019 at Peareswood Road. The victim chased the suspects who were after his 3 motorbikes, in the process of jumping from his bedroom window he has ended up seriously injuring both feet. Please proceed with caution should you see any crime taking place and wait for police to respond. We know this can be easier to say but your safety is first and foremost during any such situation. Number plates were stolen from a vehicle overnight in Burns Close junction of Newbery Road on Friday 20/09/2019. If you would like some anti-theft screws, please let us know. PCSO Mark helped Bexley Council and staff from McDonalds on behalf of Erith SNT on Monday 23/09/2019 with a litter picking event in and around Erith. Many adults and children from the local area joined in and got lots of litter collected just before the rain came. On Friday 20/09/2019 Mark made his first visit of the term to Peareswood Primary school where he attended the Stars assembly and made a visit to all classes after. Thamesmead East ward:- "On Wednesday 18/09/19 at about 8:10pm a property in Hinksey Park was broken into by unknown suspect/s, unknown items taken. Motor Vehicle crimes : Between the hours of 01:00pm and 05:00pm on Thursday 19/09/19 a vehicle parked in Hartslock Drive had the catalytic converter stolen from a Toyota . Another Toyota also parked in Hartslock Drive was broken into on Saturday 21/09/19 between the hours of 01:00am and 08:00am ,a wallet was taken. Between the time of 03;00pm of the 12/09/19 and 12;00am of the 21/09/19 a vehicle parked in Kale Road had the catalytic converter stolen .A vehicle parked outside of Dexter House, Kale Road was broken into between the hours of 11:30pm of the 21/09/19 and 09:30am of the 22/09/19 ,no details given of anything taken . Overnight of the 21/09/19 and 22/09/19 a vehicle parked in Lanridge Road had the driver's window smashed .both the front and rear number plates were stolen from a vehicle parked in Lensbury Way between the hours of 03:00pm on 21/09/19 and 12;15 of the 22/09/19.on the 22/09/19. A vehicle parked outside of Argali House ,KALE ROAD was broken into, a wallet was taken". West Heath ward:- "Please be aware that there are men wearing hi-viz jackets touring round the Pantiles area saying they can jet clean your drive. They start off at £400 but as a special they can do it for £250. My own builder does it cheaper. They turn up in a blue van reg 04 KY 2118. When challenged they gave me a lot of verbal. They do a 'test' patch but they leave all the dirt sprayed up the cars and windows. Around 1 am in the early hours of Wednesday morning, 25th September, a man climbed into the gardens of 57-61 Berkeley Avenue. He took a golf set out of shed 57 then wandered about the gardens looking over fences; finally, he leaves without the clubs rather than taking them. Unfortunately, we have had one shed burglary in Preston Drive. This took place on Thursday September 19th between 0100 am – 8pm when the victim's neighbour alerted them that the garage door was open. The suspect stole meat to the value of £100 from the freezer that was in the garage. One report of criminal damage to a vehicle parked in Exmouth Road which took place between Friday September 20th at 8pm to Sunday September 22nd at 2pm when the victim discovered it had been broken in to. The rear passenger rear window was smashed but nothing was taken. An attempt was made to break in to a vehicle in Axminster Crescent on Monday September 23rd at 01.37am. The suspect was seen trying to gain access to a van but did not succeed. The potential victim called police but the suspect was not seen in the area when they attended. On Sunday September 22nd a van was broken in to in Powys Close between 0300 – 0330am. The victim discovered that a number of power tools stolen from the vehicle when he left for work at 5am. The team along with colleagues from Crook Log and East Wickham have been busy conducting proactive patrols. As a result of this a male was arrested for failing to appear at court for drug offences".
The end video this week was sent to me by regular reader, occasional contributor and technology whiz Miles. It is a video taken last Saturday evening, towards the conclusion of the Erith Pier Festival. What is somewhat unusual is that is is not a straight 2D video recording - it actually shows a 360 degree view of Miles' journey on the pier - you can drag the view around by clicking and holding with your mouse pointer on the video window. It is best viewed in full screen. If you look carefully in "Where's Wally?" style, you can catch me waving to the camera. Let me know what you think by either leaving a comment below, or by Emailing me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
Erith ward:- "No Burglaries again this week in Erith. Please see the attached leaflet re motor vehicle crime. We are planning some dates for crime prevention stalls outside of Erith police base which will include number plate theft with free secure screws plus cycle marking. Dates will be listed soon. Criminal Damage 18/09/2019 Erith High Street, Theft from Motor Vehicle 13/09/2019 17:00:00 Riverdale road, Theft of MV 21/09/2019 01:00:00 Downton Mews, Theft of Motor Vehicle 21/09/2019 14:18:00 Fraser Road, Theft from Motor Vehicle 23/09/2019 Lesney Park Road, Theft from Motor Vehicle 25/09/2019 12:00:00 James Watt Way". Northumberland Heath ward:- "Sorry no crime report this week from your team, please remember car crime is high with both theft of MV and theft from MV continuing to be a problem. If you know friends or family that live in your ward and are not covered by NW perhaps you can encourage them to join us. Crime stats are lower in NW-covered areas with 2 out of every 3 burglaries being in areas that are not covered by us". Slade Green and Northend ward:- "An attempted garage burglary took place around 0430 on Saturday 21/09/2019 at Peareswood Road. The victim chased the suspects who were after his 3 motorbikes, in the process of jumping from his bedroom window he has ended up seriously injuring both feet. Please proceed with caution should you see any crime taking place and wait for police to respond. We know this can be easier to say but your safety is first and foremost during any such situation. Number plates were stolen from a vehicle overnight in Burns Close junction of Newbery Road on Friday 20/09/2019. If you would like some anti-theft screws, please let us know. PCSO Mark helped Bexley Council and staff from McDonalds on behalf of Erith SNT on Monday 23/09/2019 with a litter picking event in and around Erith. Many adults and children from the local area joined in and got lots of litter collected just before the rain came. On Friday 20/09/2019 Mark made his first visit of the term to Peareswood Primary school where he attended the Stars assembly and made a visit to all classes after. Thamesmead East ward:- "On Wednesday 18/09/19 at about 8:10pm a property in Hinksey Park was broken into by unknown suspect/s, unknown items taken. Motor Vehicle crimes : Between the hours of 01:00pm and 05:00pm on Thursday 19/09/19 a vehicle parked in Hartslock Drive had the catalytic converter stolen from a Toyota . Another Toyota also parked in Hartslock Drive was broken into on Saturday 21/09/19 between the hours of 01:00am and 08:00am ,a wallet was taken. Between the time of 03;00pm of the 12/09/19 and 12;00am of the 21/09/19 a vehicle parked in Kale Road had the catalytic converter stolen .A vehicle parked outside of Dexter House, Kale Road was broken into between the hours of 11:30pm of the 21/09/19 and 09:30am of the 22/09/19 ,no details given of anything taken . Overnight of the 21/09/19 and 22/09/19 a vehicle parked in Lanridge Road had the driver's window smashed .both the front and rear number plates were stolen from a vehicle parked in Lensbury Way between the hours of 03:00pm on 21/09/19 and 12;15 of the 22/09/19.on the 22/09/19. A vehicle parked outside of Argali House ,KALE ROAD was broken into, a wallet was taken". West Heath ward:- "Please be aware that there are men wearing hi-viz jackets touring round the Pantiles area saying they can jet clean your drive. They start off at £400 but as a special they can do it for £250. My own builder does it cheaper. They turn up in a blue van reg 04 KY 2118. When challenged they gave me a lot of verbal. They do a 'test' patch but they leave all the dirt sprayed up the cars and windows. Around 1 am in the early hours of Wednesday morning, 25th September, a man climbed into the gardens of 57-61 Berkeley Avenue. He took a golf set out of shed 57 then wandered about the gardens looking over fences; finally, he leaves without the clubs rather than taking them. Unfortunately, we have had one shed burglary in Preston Drive. This took place on Thursday September 19th between 0100 am – 8pm when the victim's neighbour alerted them that the garage door was open. The suspect stole meat to the value of £100 from the freezer that was in the garage. One report of criminal damage to a vehicle parked in Exmouth Road which took place between Friday September 20th at 8pm to Sunday September 22nd at 2pm when the victim discovered it had been broken in to. The rear passenger rear window was smashed but nothing was taken. An attempt was made to break in to a vehicle in Axminster Crescent on Monday September 23rd at 01.37am. The suspect was seen trying to gain access to a van but did not succeed. The potential victim called police but the suspect was not seen in the area when they attended. On Sunday September 22nd a van was broken in to in Powys Close between 0300 – 0330am. The victim discovered that a number of power tools stolen from the vehicle when he left for work at 5am. The team along with colleagues from Crook Log and East Wickham have been busy conducting proactive patrols. As a result of this a male was arrested for failing to appear at court for drug offences".
The end video this week was sent to me by regular reader, occasional contributor and technology whiz Miles. It is a video taken last Saturday evening, towards the conclusion of the Erith Pier Festival. What is somewhat unusual is that is is not a straight 2D video recording - it actually shows a 360 degree view of Miles' journey on the pier - you can drag the view around by clicking and holding with your mouse pointer on the video window. It is best viewed in full screen. If you look carefully in "Where's Wally?" style, you can catch me waving to the camera. Let me know what you think by either leaving a comment below, or by Emailing me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
No comments:
Post a Comment