Hundreds of local residents experiencing mental ill-health are being supported by a special Christmas collection project. Employees from Wates Residential’s Park East and West Street construction sites in Erith have shown their support for the local Re-Instate W-rap project by collecting more than 500 items which will make up over 100 care packages. The packages will support disadvantaged residents, including those struggling with their mental health, across south east London this Christmas. Re-Instate provides gift parcels known as W-rap (Well-being, Recovery, Activity Parcels) to people in hospital to aid their recovery journeys. The project was set up after one client said they would find it comforting to have good quality toiletries and entertainment activities during long-term hospital stays. Located in the Erith, the service is run out of St. John’s Church Community Hall, neighbouring Wates Residential’s West Street development. Parcels put together by the national developer’s office and construction site teams will be gifted to people at the Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust. The collection included items that could be added to three types of care packages. For those arriving at the Trusts, parcels will be put together by Re-Instate’s W-rap team, volunteers coming from Re-Instate’s Employment Service and Bexley Voluntary Services Council. Parcels will include home comforts that have been donated such as shampoo, face masks and bath bombs. To keep them occupied during their stay, separate activity packages will include items like word searches, playing cards and juggling balls. For those on their way home, parcels with household essentials such as food and toilet roll will be shared out. Wates Residential is working in partnership with Orbit and the London Borough of Bexley to build 320 new homes at Park East in Erith, of which 80 per cent will for affordable rent and shared ownership to ensure a sustainable community for local residents. In addition, 42 mixed tenure affordable properties are due to be completed in spring 2020 on the other side of Erith at West Street, which neighbours the Re-Instate project. Both developments come after the partners completed six years of work on the nearby former Larner Road estate, transforming it into the award-winning, mixed tenure community Erith Park and delivering 587 new homes. As part of their presence across these developments, Wates Residential and Orbit have also pledged to support the local community by providing employment and training opportunities for local residents, delivering a positive lasting legacy in the borough. This has already included the provision of work experience placements, careers advice events, promoting and working with local social enterprises, and a free two week construction and employability skills training course run by Wates called ‘Building Futures’ to help local unemployed adults into work or further training. Paul Nicholls, Managing Director for Wates Residential, said in a press release that:- “Re-Instate’s W-rap project is close to our Park East and West Street sites but it is also a vital service which addresses an issue close to our hearts. We feel passionately about supporting disadvantaged residents as well as those with mental ill-health as we believe that everyone deserves a great place to live. Both the site team and wider Wates Group were really keen to get involved this Christmas so we’re delighted to have been able to collect more than 500 items, from adult colouring books to deodorant and hair brushes, and hope that all of them will bring some comfort to people spending time in hospital over the Christmas period and beyond.” Colette Robinson, W-rap Co-ordinator from Re-Instate, commented:- ’We are very grateful to Wates employees for this collaboration. The items collected will go a long way to making a difference in the communities we live and work within at the time of year when mental health stresses can be high.’’ Feedback to hugh.neal@gmail.com.
People living, working or simply visiting the borough can now start to enjoy a new free public wi-fi service in some of Bexley’s main town centres. As part of a programme that will be rolled out over the next few months, Bexley Council has ‘switched on’ free public wi-fi in Erith, Welling, Sidcup and Crayford town centres. Bexleyheath and Bexley Village will follow shortly. The network requires a one-time only registration and allows users to experience high bandwidth services free from advertisements. More on this in the weeks to come; I feel that there may be more to this new service than initially meets the eye - time will no doubt tell.
People living, working or simply visiting the borough can now start to enjoy a new free public wi-fi service in some of Bexley’s main town centres. As part of a programme that will be rolled out over the next few months, Bexley Council has ‘switched on’ free public wi-fi in Erith, Welling, Sidcup and Crayford town centres. Bexleyheath and Bexley Village will follow shortly. The network requires a one-time only registration and allows users to experience high bandwidth services free from advertisements. More on this in the weeks to come; I feel that there may be more to this new service than initially meets the eye - time will no doubt tell.
As you can see from the document above - click on it to see a larger version - the somewhat controversial Hastings Villa in Bexley Road, Northumberland Heath has had an application to be locally listed. In a statement, Bexley Council announced that:- "Hastings Villa at 106 Bexley Road, Erith, DA8 3SP has been nominated as an addition to the Local List, which currently comprises approximately 400 entries. Hastings Villa is a detached residential property on Bexley Road, Erith. The property is one of the remaining in a series of mid-Victorian villas that once lined the north side of this section of Bexley Road. It is an ornate structure framed by a long carriage drive and mature trees. The Council is seeking your opinion on whether Hastings Villa should be added to the Local List. The Council is also seeking any information you may hold about the building and its history. Historical records including photographs are particularly welcome". The application was originally made in 2018, but for some reason it was not enacted then, and has subsequently been resubmitted. Hastings Villa has been the subject of a couple of proposals for redevelopment - specifically the demolition of the existing villa, to be replaced by a block of flats. If the local listing proceeds - as I suspect that it will - this will preserve the existing, historic building.
Over the last couple of weeks I have been featuring stories illustrating the problems with smart door bells, smart door locks and the like, and the ways in which they can be extremely insecure. Indeed Amazon Ring doorbell owner and local software developer Miles, who wrote the original analysis, has forwarded me an article on a further problem with another Ring device - their internal security cameras. The article, from the Digital Trends website reads thus:- "In yet another example of a smart home hack, an in-home Amazon Ring camera was hacked to make inappropriate comments toward a woman in her California home. A Calabasas, California, woman who referred to herself as Tammy told CBSN Los Angeles that she heard a voice coming from her Ring security camera that was located in her bedroom. “Yo, what’s up? How’s your day?” a man’s voice reportedly said, followed by, “Hi, show me some [expletive].” Tammy said the hacker was also able to set off her home’s alarm system. “I knew he was tapping into this camera, he was tapping into my bedroom camera,” she told CBSN Los Angeles. “So it became a little bit overwhelming for a few moments.” “They could have been taking photos of me, they could have been sending those out to the internet,” Tammy said. She said she had had the camera for four weeks and originally bought it to watch her dog. Tammy said she reached out to Ring about the incident, and that they responded via email that the hack was due to a weak password and that she should change her password. A Ring spokesperson told Digital Trends that this incident was not a result of Ring’s network or systems being compromised. “Recently, we were made aware of incidents where malicious actors obtained some Ring users’ account credentials (e.g., username and password) from a separate, external, non-Ring service and reused them to log in to some Ring accounts. Unfortunately, when the same username and password is reused on multiple services, it’s possible for bad actors to gain access to many accounts,” the Ring spokesperson said. It’s the second time in a week of reports of Ring camera systems being hacked. Last week, a man was able to access a Ring camera located in a little girl’s bedroom. The man was able to talk to the girl in her bedroom, telling her, “I’m your best friend … I’m Santa Claus.” He also told her, “You can do whatever you want right now. You can mess up your room. You can break your TV. You can do whatever you want.” Ring’s security camera has HD video, night vision, and a two-way talk feature, so the hacker was most likely able to not only talk to the little girl, but also see her. While both instances are creepy all-around, it’s an important reminder that if you do have smart home technology in your home, it’s essential to set up two-factor authentication if possible and regularly change your password". One of the problems with what is termed as "The Internet of Things" is that most companies that produce smart devices do so to their own proprietary standards and the devices from different manufacturers won't talk to each other as they use incompatible technology - much in the same way that home computers from the likes of Sinclair, Acorn (BBC) and Commodore back in the 1980's were completely software incompatible with one another. The situation with smart devices may be about to change, however. After years of trying and failing to dominate the smart home market with their own standards, technology giants Amazon, Apple and Google have finally agreed to work on a set of common code that will allow smart home products, from thermostats to cameras to plugs to digital assistants, to work together seamlessly. The new “Connected Home over IP” approach will be developed through a new working group within smart home veteran organisation the Zigbee Alliance, and the broad brush blueprint of the new standard is stark in its obviousness. It will be an IP-based protocol so it can connect directly to the internet rather than require a hub; it will be open-source and royalty-free and allow for end-to-end secure communication; and it will work with core standards like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The new standard should emerge in draft form in late 2020, meaning that 2021 will be the start of a new era in smart home technology, where Alexa talks to Nest and you can have a single app on your phone to talk to everything else. The initial push appears to be to work with digital voice assistants. It means in future you will be able to buy an Amazon Alexa and a Google Nest thermostat and have them work seamlessly together, rather than the current sorry state of affairs where you are never quite sure what will happen. The bad news is that while existing products will still work, you will need to buy all new kit if you want to benefit from full interoperability. So if you have decided to take the plunge and equip your whole house with smart home technology, you would be well advised to wait a year. Please feel free to send comments to hugh.neal@gmail.com.
Over the last couple of weeks I have been featuring stories illustrating the problems with smart door bells, smart door locks and the like, and the ways in which they can be extremely insecure. Indeed Amazon Ring doorbell owner and local software developer Miles, who wrote the original analysis, has forwarded me an article on a further problem with another Ring device - their internal security cameras. The article, from the Digital Trends website reads thus:- "In yet another example of a smart home hack, an in-home Amazon Ring camera was hacked to make inappropriate comments toward a woman in her California home. A Calabasas, California, woman who referred to herself as Tammy told CBSN Los Angeles that she heard a voice coming from her Ring security camera that was located in her bedroom. “Yo, what’s up? How’s your day?” a man’s voice reportedly said, followed by, “Hi, show me some [expletive].” Tammy said the hacker was also able to set off her home’s alarm system. “I knew he was tapping into this camera, he was tapping into my bedroom camera,” she told CBSN Los Angeles. “So it became a little bit overwhelming for a few moments.” “They could have been taking photos of me, they could have been sending those out to the internet,” Tammy said. She said she had had the camera for four weeks and originally bought it to watch her dog. Tammy said she reached out to Ring about the incident, and that they responded via email that the hack was due to a weak password and that she should change her password. A Ring spokesperson told Digital Trends that this incident was not a result of Ring’s network or systems being compromised. “Recently, we were made aware of incidents where malicious actors obtained some Ring users’ account credentials (e.g., username and password) from a separate, external, non-Ring service and reused them to log in to some Ring accounts. Unfortunately, when the same username and password is reused on multiple services, it’s possible for bad actors to gain access to many accounts,” the Ring spokesperson said. It’s the second time in a week of reports of Ring camera systems being hacked. Last week, a man was able to access a Ring camera located in a little girl’s bedroom. The man was able to talk to the girl in her bedroom, telling her, “I’m your best friend … I’m Santa Claus.” He also told her, “You can do whatever you want right now. You can mess up your room. You can break your TV. You can do whatever you want.” Ring’s security camera has HD video, night vision, and a two-way talk feature, so the hacker was most likely able to not only talk to the little girl, but also see her. While both instances are creepy all-around, it’s an important reminder that if you do have smart home technology in your home, it’s essential to set up two-factor authentication if possible and regularly change your password". One of the problems with what is termed as "The Internet of Things" is that most companies that produce smart devices do so to their own proprietary standards and the devices from different manufacturers won't talk to each other as they use incompatible technology - much in the same way that home computers from the likes of Sinclair, Acorn (BBC) and Commodore back in the 1980's were completely software incompatible with one another. The situation with smart devices may be about to change, however. After years of trying and failing to dominate the smart home market with their own standards, technology giants Amazon, Apple and Google have finally agreed to work on a set of common code that will allow smart home products, from thermostats to cameras to plugs to digital assistants, to work together seamlessly. The new “Connected Home over IP” approach will be developed through a new working group within smart home veteran organisation the Zigbee Alliance, and the broad brush blueprint of the new standard is stark in its obviousness. It will be an IP-based protocol so it can connect directly to the internet rather than require a hub; it will be open-source and royalty-free and allow for end-to-end secure communication; and it will work with core standards like Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. The new standard should emerge in draft form in late 2020, meaning that 2021 will be the start of a new era in smart home technology, where Alexa talks to Nest and you can have a single app on your phone to talk to everything else. The initial push appears to be to work with digital voice assistants. It means in future you will be able to buy an Amazon Alexa and a Google Nest thermostat and have them work seamlessly together, rather than the current sorry state of affairs where you are never quite sure what will happen. The bad news is that while existing products will still work, you will need to buy all new kit if you want to benefit from full interoperability. So if you have decided to take the plunge and equip your whole house with smart home technology, you would be well advised to wait a year. Please feel free to send comments to hugh.neal@gmail.com.
Had he survived, Christmas Day 2019 would have been Kenny Everett's 75th birthday. The man who many, including myself, regard as Britain's greatest ever DJ. He was born Maurice James Christopher Cole on Christmas Day 1944 in Liverpool. He attended the same school as offshore radio DJ Mike Aherne and considered joining the church; indeed he did spend some time in a Catholic seminary, but he left under a cloud, having made free with the communion wine. His first paying job was in a bakery. With a passion for radio and playing around with tape recorders, he sent a tape of a home-made programme to the BBC. Having acquired an ability to impersonate everything from The Goons to the opening of the airlocks in Journey into Space, he bought two tape-recorders and began to make his own programmes, interspersing music with bouts of silliness. This interested the Corporation enough to invite him down to London and he was interviewed on the Home Service's Midweek programme. Kenny hoped it would lead to a job with the BBC but it did not. Instead he joined the new offshore station Radio London when it launched at Christmas 1964. Everett was madly seasick at first, but offshore radio suited him: it meant access to studio equipment 24 hours a day (DJs did three weeks on, and a week off), and all the time in the world to invent loopy characters (as the first zoo DJ, Everett was the father of Steve Wright and all the rest). He chose his new name from that of the Hollywood actor Edward Everett Horton, and both his own show and the double headed programme he co-presented with Dave Cash, The Kenny and Cash Show, won a massive following. His writing and tape-editing skills were phenomenal and Kenny was responsible for many of Radio London's more creative advertisements, jingles and promotions. Unfortunately his humour was not always appreciated by the management and he was fired for six months after making fun of the sponsored religious show The World Tomorrow, the station's biggest advertiser. Along with Jerry Leighton from Radio Caroline and Ron O'Quinn from “Swinging” Radio England, Kenny joined The Beatles on their 1966 tour of the USA sending back reports on the concerts, sponsored by Bassett's Jelly Babies. Sharing the same Liverpool background, Kenny developed an obvious rapport with “The Fab Four”. He left Radio London in March 1967 and worked on Radio Luxembourg and the BBC Light Programme, later joining BBC Radio One at its launch. Although hugely popular he was soon in trouble again. He was constantly being told off for criticising the station in the press and when he joked on air that the wife of the then Minister of Transport had passed her advanced driving test by bribing the examiner, it was the final straw. He was sacked. He presented some shows on BBC local radio and others on Radio Monte Carlo International. By 1969, he had married Audrey "Lee" Middleton, a former pop star and psychic better known by her stage name Lady Lee - who had been Billy Fury's girlfriend. Within a decade, he had realised he was gay and they parted but remained friends, and it was she who found him his first boyfriend. It was the launch of London's Capital Radio in 1973 that returned him to the forefront of British broadcasting. Here he was reunited with his old partner Dave Cash and their Breakfast Show helped to establish the new station. From Capital, Kenny moved to BBC Radio 2 and then back again to Capital. Having got a job with the BBC once more, Kenny became so big that he was often to be found hanging out with the very stars whose music he played. One of his closest friends was Freddie Mercury. It was in 1978, at the height of his radio powers, that he moved into TV with a bang. The Kenny Everett Video Show introduced the nation to a host of new, crazy characters, created by the writing team of Kenny, Barry Cryer, American Dick Vosburgh and Canadian Ray Cameron, father of current comic Michael McIntyre. The latest hit singles were featured, often performed by the bands and singers themselves, and all sorts of people were more than happy to appear alongside the anarchic Kenny. From Cliff Richard to Billy Connolly, they would all be struggling to keep a straight face as Everett created mayhem around them. Captain Kremmen, science-fiction hero, punk rocker Sid Snot and lecherous Frenchman Marcel Wave were among his characters. The third series ended with Kenny making a farewell speech as the crew removed the set and background scenery, picking him up and placing him in a dustbin. In the 80s, having fully thrown off his guilt about his sexuality, he took up nightclubbing with a vengeance, and it was on one such evening out that he met Nikolai Grishanovich, the lover from whom he would eventually contract HIV. Grishanovich was one of the two husbands he eventually unveiled to the press (the other was a Spanish waiter, Pepe Flores), and he died of an AIDS-related illness in 1991, the same year as Everett's close friend Freddie Mercury. In 1993 he confirmed newspaper reports that he was HIV-positive but continued presenting shows on Capital Gold until his death of AIDS-related causes on 4th April 1995. A genuinely original talent, a naturally funny man. and a brilliantly skilled editor, he was a disc-jockey whose listeners eagerly awaited his every word Everett was the subject of an episode of BBC Radio 4's "Great Lives" - which you can hear by clicking here. Alongside his radio success, Kenny also enjoyed a television career, starting with Nice Time for Granada in the sixties, later with LWT, Thames TV and the BBC. A radio industry organisation, the Radio Academy, has its own Hall of Fame honouring people who have made an outstanding contribution to UK radio. One of the first recipients was, quite rightly, Kenny Everett. In October 1993 Kenny was the castaway on Radio 4's Desert Island Discs. The programme is still available on the BBC website - click here to listen to it. Everett was fond of animals, and at one stage had a Chihuahua-Yorkshire Terrier cross, two cats, a parrot and several horses. His companion in his last years was a cat called Pussy Cat. By way of recreation, Everett enjoyed needlework.
Now for the weekly local safety and security updates from Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association.
Firstly the update from Barnehurst ward:- "Another week with no burglaries to report. But despite this it has been a busy week for Barnehurst officers who with the help of Bexleyheath and Crayford officers executed a search warrant on the Ward. A substantial amount of class A and class B drugs were found along with a large amount of cash and a firearm. Two males were arrested for possession with intent to supply drugs and possession of a firearm. Both males have since been charged for the drugs offence and one with possession of a firearm. Both males have been remanded to attend court. With Christmas fast looming please can we advise everybody to be vigilant and keep premises and vehicles secure". Belvedere ward:- "The team have recently visited Court Lodge and chatted to several residents in relation to crime prevention. The visit was very well received as many residents were concerned with the security of their homes. We were able to provide advice around this issue – and also supplied window alarms to the residents. We also discussed SmartWater (property marking) which will be implemented in the coming weeks at Court Lodge. We have been carrying out hi visibility patrols of the areas around Upper Park Road (Elmbourne Drive and Heathdene Drive in particular) as there had been reported burglaries in these streets over recent weeks. We have also visited Lesness Heath primary school this week to educate year 6 around internet/ social media safety and online bullying". Bexleyheath ward:- "Friday 13/12/19 Between 1600 – 1815 Burglary Albion Road keys to car on driveway and car stolen. Friday 13/12/19 overnight Theft From motor Vehicle Swanbridge Road Number Plates stolen. Saturday 14/12/19 1550 – 1630 Robbery from male on bus of Airpods Near Asda Broadway. The team have also been involved with a raid on a property in Barnehurst – see their link for the details but a really good job! A man has also been arrested by Asda for repeated begging despite being asked to leave the area several times. It transpires he is not actually homeless and made over £800 pretending to be. If you do wish to help please do not give them money, if they are truly homeless then food or drink is much more appreciated. Please keep yourselves safe this Festive Period there has been several reports of drinks being spiked – ensure you have sight of your drink at all times. Keep your purse and handbag safe whilst out shopping ensuring that zips and clasps are done up, make it difficult for thieves." Crayford ward:- "Thankfully, no burglaries to report this week. But unfortunately two vehicles have been stolen. A red Citroen Berlingo, number plate Y727NGX was stolen from Samos Way between 13.01 and 16.30 on 13th December. A white Transit panel van, number plate NA13YHV was stolen from Lea Vale between 20.00 on 15th December and 07.00 on 16th December, the van also contained a Magliner Gemini Junior Trolley, a three ton Trolley Jack, a breaker bar and a 21mm socket. Number plate NV17EAJ was stolen from a black Nissan Juke whilst parked near Thames Road on 14th December between 14.30 and 22.40. It was reported that on 15th December between 00.20-00.25 a male was approached by another male who intended to rob him, the victim was able to run away and nothing was stolen. A male was arrested on 16th December, initial call to police was that he was knocking things off shelves in shops at Tower Retail Park. On being stopped and searched near Sainsburys he was found to have bolt croppers, a screwdriver and other items and was arrested for going equipped to steal. The team have been very busy this week, on Wednesday a wanted male was located in Crayford High Street and arrested. Crayford officers along with Bexleyheath officers assisted Barnehurst officers with a drugs warrant at an address in Hornbeam Lane. A very significant amount of drugs and a firearm were discovered and two arrests were made. The shops are getting really busy, please remember to put purses away and keep bags zipped up, with wallets please try to keep them in an inside pocket rather than a back trouser pocket, pick pockets are very quick and unlikely to be seen. We would like to wish you peace and happiness for Christmas and the New Year". Erith ward:- "Theft from Vehicles is still an ongoing issues in the Erith area and other areas in the north or Bexley We have been out on the ward leafleting areas this is happening in, giving out crime prevention advice. The best advice we can give is do not leave anything in the car even coins of a low value. Also we have been issuing Smartwater in Erith so far we have given free kits to all residents of the Quarry and have started to deliver kits to Tower Road. If you are an Erith resident and would like a free Smart water kit please Email Erith SNT and we will try our best to give you a kit. Crimes of note: Theft from motor vehicle Saturday 7/12/2019 Callender Road, Theft from motor vehicle Wednesday 11/12/2019 Neptune Road, Theft from motor vehicle Thursday 12/12/2019, Crescent Road, Shoplift Saturday 14/12/2019 Farmfoods Ltd, Theft of motor vehicle Tuesday 17/12/2019 Pier Road, Theft from motor vehicle Tuesday 17/12/2019 Winifred Road". Northumberland Heath ward - no report received this week.
Slade Green and Northend ward:- "An attempted burglary occurred between 1200 and 1600 on Tuesday 17/12/2019 whereby a window was forced at a ground floor flat in Wessex Drive but entry was not gained. Please ensure you lock all your windows before going out and please do not leave any presents on display too as this can be a very busy time of year. If you would like a Smart Water property marking kit, please email the team as we may be able to help. Last weekend PCSO Mark attended Christ Church with Erith SNT for the Christmas tree festival where many local residents were spoken to. This culminated in the Carol service on Sunday evening. Due to Christmas hours and shifts the are no CCS due until next year, dates will be sent out as soon as possible. All of us on Slade Green and Northend SNT would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and peaceful 2020 and we thank you for your continued support in the last 12 months". Thamesmead East ward:- "Burglary Walsham Close, overnight of the Monday 2/12/19 to Tuesday 3/12/19 the property entered , believed the victim had not locked the front door, bag with bank cards/wallet stolen. On Friday 6/12/19 Southmere Drive ,at 4:00am entry gained to property via the front door ,lock broken various items taken. Rushdene Road Tuesday 17/12/19 between 2:45 am – 2:57am Victim was woken by the reflection of a light coming through the bedroom door. A car engine was heard starting up, when the victim went down stairs it was found that a jacket containing 2 sets of car keys and house keys had been taken along with one of the vehicles from the drive. It was noted that the house was secured only by lifting the handle on the front door not locking the door with the key. Vehicle Crime - Tuesday 3/12/19 Kale Road between 12pm – 5:00pm, a catalytic converter was stolen from a vehicle. Thursday 5/12/19 between the hours of 12:00am – 01:30am the front and rear number plates were stolen from a vehicle in Sedgemere Road, The vehicle owner was again a victim with the rear number stolen on the Monday 9/12/19 between 07:30am and 10:45pm. A motor scooter was stolen from outside a property in Curlew Close between the hours of 4:00pm of the Saturday 7/12/19 and 06;00am of the Sunday 8/12/19.The scooter was found and the owner has since had the scooter returned. Sunday 8/12/19 A vehicle parked in Alsike Road was broken into, a mobile phone ,a wallet containing bank cards ,driving licence was taken. Glimpsing Green Wednesday 11/12/19 8pm – 14/12/19 1pm Victim reported Catalytic Converter removed from Toyota Auris by suspect/s unknown. Pointer Close Thursday 12/12/19 7:16am – 7:18am victims stated his vehicle has a slash to the offside tyre made by suspect. MARAN WAY Between Friday 13/12/19 7pm – 10am and Sunday 5/12/19 victim reported Catalytic Converter removed from Toyota Auris by suspect/s unknown. Kale Road Between Saturday 14/12/19 7pm - 8:30am and Sunday 15/12/19 Victim reports front registration plate removed by suspect/s unknown. Overton Road Between Tuesday 17/12/19 9pm – 8am and Wednesday 18/12/19 Victims vehicle broken into property removed by suspect/s. Criminal Damage - On Tuesday 10/12/19 between the hours of 11:00am and 13:00pm, a property in Longfisher Close had the external meter cupboard forced open and the wire ripped out. Good News - An investigation by PC Pruden following the of theft of a charity box, two people were arrested, one charged to attend court ,the other ongoing enquiries". West Heath ward:- "It's a short report this week as we are not able to access CRIS to access crimes over the last week and we are on rest days after today until Friday afternoon. One attempted burglary in Brabourne Crescent between Friday December 13th 9pm – Saturday December 14th at 5pm when the occupant returned to the property to find the front door had been forced causing damage to the frame. Thankfully entry was not gained. Theft of silver BMW from Glenview between 8pm on Saturday December 14th – 8pm on Sunday December 15th. The victim is still in possession of the key. Theft from Newlyn Road Sunday December 15th. No further details at this time. The team assisted the TSG (Tactical Support Group) with execution warrants across several wards. New contact sessions for the coming year will be announced in due course".
The end video this week is a tour of the William Morris Red House in Bexleyheath. Please send any comments and feedback to hugh.neal@gmail.com.
Firstly the update from Barnehurst ward:- "Another week with no burglaries to report. But despite this it has been a busy week for Barnehurst officers who with the help of Bexleyheath and Crayford officers executed a search warrant on the Ward. A substantial amount of class A and class B drugs were found along with a large amount of cash and a firearm. Two males were arrested for possession with intent to supply drugs and possession of a firearm. Both males have since been charged for the drugs offence and one with possession of a firearm. Both males have been remanded to attend court. With Christmas fast looming please can we advise everybody to be vigilant and keep premises and vehicles secure". Belvedere ward:- "The team have recently visited Court Lodge and chatted to several residents in relation to crime prevention. The visit was very well received as many residents were concerned with the security of their homes. We were able to provide advice around this issue – and also supplied window alarms to the residents. We also discussed SmartWater (property marking) which will be implemented in the coming weeks at Court Lodge. We have been carrying out hi visibility patrols of the areas around Upper Park Road (Elmbourne Drive and Heathdene Drive in particular) as there had been reported burglaries in these streets over recent weeks. We have also visited Lesness Heath primary school this week to educate year 6 around internet/ social media safety and online bullying". Bexleyheath ward:- "Friday 13/12/19 Between 1600 – 1815 Burglary Albion Road keys to car on driveway and car stolen. Friday 13/12/19 overnight Theft From motor Vehicle Swanbridge Road Number Plates stolen. Saturday 14/12/19 1550 – 1630 Robbery from male on bus of Airpods Near Asda Broadway. The team have also been involved with a raid on a property in Barnehurst – see their link for the details but a really good job! A man has also been arrested by Asda for repeated begging despite being asked to leave the area several times. It transpires he is not actually homeless and made over £800 pretending to be. If you do wish to help please do not give them money, if they are truly homeless then food or drink is much more appreciated. Please keep yourselves safe this Festive Period there has been several reports of drinks being spiked – ensure you have sight of your drink at all times. Keep your purse and handbag safe whilst out shopping ensuring that zips and clasps are done up, make it difficult for thieves." Crayford ward:- "Thankfully, no burglaries to report this week. But unfortunately two vehicles have been stolen. A red Citroen Berlingo, number plate Y727NGX was stolen from Samos Way between 13.01 and 16.30 on 13th December. A white Transit panel van, number plate NA13YHV was stolen from Lea Vale between 20.00 on 15th December and 07.00 on 16th December, the van also contained a Magliner Gemini Junior Trolley, a three ton Trolley Jack, a breaker bar and a 21mm socket. Number plate NV17EAJ was stolen from a black Nissan Juke whilst parked near Thames Road on 14th December between 14.30 and 22.40. It was reported that on 15th December between 00.20-00.25 a male was approached by another male who intended to rob him, the victim was able to run away and nothing was stolen. A male was arrested on 16th December, initial call to police was that he was knocking things off shelves in shops at Tower Retail Park. On being stopped and searched near Sainsburys he was found to have bolt croppers, a screwdriver and other items and was arrested for going equipped to steal. The team have been very busy this week, on Wednesday a wanted male was located in Crayford High Street and arrested. Crayford officers along with Bexleyheath officers assisted Barnehurst officers with a drugs warrant at an address in Hornbeam Lane. A very significant amount of drugs and a firearm were discovered and two arrests were made. The shops are getting really busy, please remember to put purses away and keep bags zipped up, with wallets please try to keep them in an inside pocket rather than a back trouser pocket, pick pockets are very quick and unlikely to be seen. We would like to wish you peace and happiness for Christmas and the New Year". Erith ward:- "Theft from Vehicles is still an ongoing issues in the Erith area and other areas in the north or Bexley We have been out on the ward leafleting areas this is happening in, giving out crime prevention advice. The best advice we can give is do not leave anything in the car even coins of a low value. Also we have been issuing Smartwater in Erith so far we have given free kits to all residents of the Quarry and have started to deliver kits to Tower Road. If you are an Erith resident and would like a free Smart water kit please Email Erith SNT and we will try our best to give you a kit. Crimes of note: Theft from motor vehicle Saturday 7/12/2019 Callender Road, Theft from motor vehicle Wednesday 11/12/2019 Neptune Road, Theft from motor vehicle Thursday 12/12/2019, Crescent Road, Shoplift Saturday 14/12/2019 Farmfoods Ltd, Theft of motor vehicle Tuesday 17/12/2019 Pier Road, Theft from motor vehicle Tuesday 17/12/2019 Winifred Road". Northumberland Heath ward - no report received this week.
Slade Green and Northend ward:- "An attempted burglary occurred between 1200 and 1600 on Tuesday 17/12/2019 whereby a window was forced at a ground floor flat in Wessex Drive but entry was not gained. Please ensure you lock all your windows before going out and please do not leave any presents on display too as this can be a very busy time of year. If you would like a Smart Water property marking kit, please email the team as we may be able to help. Last weekend PCSO Mark attended Christ Church with Erith SNT for the Christmas tree festival where many local residents were spoken to. This culminated in the Carol service on Sunday evening. Due to Christmas hours and shifts the are no CCS due until next year, dates will be sent out as soon as possible. All of us on Slade Green and Northend SNT would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and peaceful 2020 and we thank you for your continued support in the last 12 months". Thamesmead East ward:- "Burglary Walsham Close, overnight of the Monday 2/12/19 to Tuesday 3/12/19 the property entered , believed the victim had not locked the front door, bag with bank cards/wallet stolen. On Friday 6/12/19 Southmere Drive ,at 4:00am entry gained to property via the front door ,lock broken various items taken. Rushdene Road Tuesday 17/12/19 between 2:45 am – 2:57am Victim was woken by the reflection of a light coming through the bedroom door. A car engine was heard starting up, when the victim went down stairs it was found that a jacket containing 2 sets of car keys and house keys had been taken along with one of the vehicles from the drive. It was noted that the house was secured only by lifting the handle on the front door not locking the door with the key. Vehicle Crime - Tuesday 3/12/19 Kale Road between 12pm – 5:00pm, a catalytic converter was stolen from a vehicle. Thursday 5/12/19 between the hours of 12:00am – 01:30am the front and rear number plates were stolen from a vehicle in Sedgemere Road, The vehicle owner was again a victim with the rear number stolen on the Monday 9/12/19 between 07:30am and 10:45pm. A motor scooter was stolen from outside a property in Curlew Close between the hours of 4:00pm of the Saturday 7/12/19 and 06;00am of the Sunday 8/12/19.The scooter was found and the owner has since had the scooter returned. Sunday 8/12/19 A vehicle parked in Alsike Road was broken into, a mobile phone ,a wallet containing bank cards ,driving licence was taken. Glimpsing Green Wednesday 11/12/19 8pm – 14/12/19 1pm Victim reported Catalytic Converter removed from Toyota Auris by suspect/s unknown. Pointer Close Thursday 12/12/19 7:16am – 7:18am victims stated his vehicle has a slash to the offside tyre made by suspect. MARAN WAY Between Friday 13/12/19 7pm – 10am and Sunday 5/12/19 victim reported Catalytic Converter removed from Toyota Auris by suspect/s unknown. Kale Road Between Saturday 14/12/19 7pm - 8:30am and Sunday 15/12/19 Victim reports front registration plate removed by suspect/s unknown. Overton Road Between Tuesday 17/12/19 9pm – 8am and Wednesday 18/12/19 Victims vehicle broken into property removed by suspect/s. Criminal Damage - On Tuesday 10/12/19 between the hours of 11:00am and 13:00pm, a property in Longfisher Close had the external meter cupboard forced open and the wire ripped out. Good News - An investigation by PC Pruden following the of theft of a charity box, two people were arrested, one charged to attend court ,the other ongoing enquiries". West Heath ward:- "It's a short report this week as we are not able to access CRIS to access crimes over the last week and we are on rest days after today until Friday afternoon. One attempted burglary in Brabourne Crescent between Friday December 13th 9pm – Saturday December 14th at 5pm when the occupant returned to the property to find the front door had been forced causing damage to the frame. Thankfully entry was not gained. Theft of silver BMW from Glenview between 8pm on Saturday December 14th – 8pm on Sunday December 15th. The victim is still in possession of the key. Theft from Newlyn Road Sunday December 15th. No further details at this time. The team assisted the TSG (Tactical Support Group) with execution warrants across several wards. New contact sessions for the coming year will be announced in due course".
The end video this week is a tour of the William Morris Red House in Bexleyheath. Please send any comments and feedback to hugh.neal@gmail.com.
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