The photos above - click on each for a larger view, were taken by me last Sunday at the very first "Jazz Sunday" event, held in The Bookstore Cafe in The Old Carnegie Library in Walnut Tree Road, Erith. As you can see the cafe was packed with visitors for the two hour live jazz show. Many of the visitors also had brunch whilst listening to the music. The Bookstore Cafe is phase one of the refurbishment and re-purposing of the old library. Phase two - work to convert the ground floor, where the main library space is located, and the upper floor, which used to house Erith Museum, and the former private apartment that once was home to the chief librarian and family is now due to start in the Spring. An announcement was made earlier this week, which reads:- "London Borough of Bexley and The Exchange have successfully secured National Lottery funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore the entire Grade II listed Old Carnegie Library in Erith. The National Lottery Heritage Fund has committed £980,000 towards a £1.8m project that will transform the upper two floors of unused space into new community workshops for textiles, woodwork, print, ceramics and gardening. The main central hall will be refurbished for community-led activities, including markets, exhibitions, festivals, concerts and performances. A unique local garden will also be created by the award-winning garden designer Sarah Price, with much of the growing, done by local school children and families. Councillor Louie French, Bexley’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Growth said: “This latest round of funding is good news for local people as it means that the entire building can be brought fully back into use for the benefit of the community.” “It’s a year since we finished the first phase of our investment, which saw the restoration of the lower ground area, the weathervane and full replacement of the roof of the building. We’ve been working hard with our partners since then to ensure that the rest of this beautiful building can be fully restored and it’s good to see that our hard work has paid off.” In February 2019, as part of its partnership project with the Mayor of London, the ‘Greater Erith Programme’, Bexley officially handed management of the building to local company The Exchange. Since then there have been more than 25,000 visits to the building with local people participating in a variety of community activities and events and enjoying its new bar and café ‘The Bookstore’. The Exchange, with the help of partners, have also continued to source and secure additional funding. Sarah Batten, Co-Founder of The Exchange, said: “The success of our National Lottery application is down to the Erith and wider community who have given us so much support over the past 12 months. With every visit to the café, every event attended, every kind donation or offer of support, it becomes more and more evident that this new future for the building can be achieved. There is still more work to be done, and funds to be raised, but we are confident that the beautiful historic building’s future will be secured.” Stuart McLeod, Director London & South at The National Lottery Heritage Fund, said: “Thanks to money raised by National Lottery players, the historic Old Carnegie Library will be brought back into use for the community of Erith. An exciting programme of events and activities will ensure the heritage of the building and the stories of the people who have passed through its doors will remain at the heart of its future.” Over the next 12 months, the ambitious renovation works will take place alongside a packed events programme including both free and paid events including:- FREE: Family Craft Weekends, last Saturday of every month from 2-4pm • FREE: Jazz Sundays, on the fourth Sunday of every month from 12-2pm in The Bookstore • FREE: Open Mic nights, on the third Thursday of every month from 7.30-10pm in The Bookstore, to hear local talent from rapping and poetry to blues and folk • FREE: Embroidery Sundays: stitch, connect and chat every Sunday from 11-1pm in our Textile workshop • FREE: History tours of The Exchange, every Saturday from 3pm • Life Drawing classes, every Thursday from 7-9pm, £8 per session • Carnegie Ensemble concert, 24th April 2020, £10 • FREE: An exhibition of new design work inspired by the works of Bexleyheath resident William Morris, from 18th March in The Bookstore • FREE: Mother’s Day Weekend Plant Fair and workshops with Peckham partners L’Appartemente" I have to declare an interest; as some readers will already be aware, I am a governing board member of The Exchange, and I am the one who runs the weekly free tours of the old library building each Saturday afternoon at 3pm. No need to book - just turn up - the tour lasts between 45 minutes and an hour, depending on the number of tour participants and how many questions they ask.
In case you were wondering what happened last Sunday, when the customary Blog update Email did not appear. Let me explain. Every week, once the latest edition of the Maggot Sandwich has been published, I Email a select number of people to let them know that the latest edition is live. I use Google Gmail as my Email client of choice. At some point last week, Google changed their Email message rules. This was done to try and reduce Spam Email. When I send an update via Email, I blind copy (BCC) all of the recipients into the message. This keeps everyone's Email details private, and for many years this has worked very well indeed. Now blind copying in numerous Email addresses has been banned by Google - an absolute pain for me. The Blog update was still published - as you may be aware, I have not missed a Blog update every Sunday for thirteen and a half years - something that I am very proud of. The Email update may be history however. If this was not enough, my venerable Apple iMac computer has bitten the dust. It died in the middle of last week - looks like a hard disk failure - this Blog post has been courtesy of my tiny Raspberry Pi model 4 B emergency backup computer. Last Sunday I spent around 90 minutes online with Google support. Normally one cannot get proper support from the company - you just get sent links to a load of FAQ's and hobbyist chat rooms, but I have a paid Google account - which means excellent, professional support. Google suggested setting up a Google Group, which would enable me to send one email which would then go to all members of the group. The downside is that there is no way to automate the process of adding all of the members of my Gmail address book - each one needs to be manually copied and pasted. This will take me an age to do. On the upside, I have noticed that not sending out an Email update last week has actually not hurt my readership statistics one bit. I use Google Analytics to get an idea of what my audience like and dislike, and their general Blog reading habits. I fully expected that my reading figures were going to drop off a cliff - but this has actually not been the case at all; I am going to carry out an experiment over the next couple of weeks. I will carry on publishing a Blog update on Sunday early afternoons as I have done for so long, but I will not send out an update message (mainly as things currently stand, I cannot anyway). If the readership statistics stay as good as last week, then I may ditch the setting up of a Google group altogether, as nowadays I don't have as much free time as I used to. Don't worry - the Maggot Sandwich will continue as normal - nothing is changing as far as it is concerned. Comments to hugh.neal@gmail.com.
News reaches me that as predicted, Bexley Council have approved plans to build flats on the parkland in West Street, despite the protests and online petition opposing the plan. Local organisations including Friends of Riverside Gardens Erith (FORGE) and The Erith Think Tank organised a protest in December of last year - photo above - click on it for a larger version. The council vote was close 5 members voted for the redevelopment plans, and four against. Local Resident and FORGE founder, Joan McCarthy read a speech at the council meeting, opposing the plans to build on the popular and well - used park. Here is her speech in full:- "Thank you Chairman and Councillors for giving me the opportunity to speak and I would ask you to bear in mind the following points which all contribute to the London Borough of Bexley being a green borough to be proud of. The description “Land at the Junction of Macarthur Close and West Street” is misleading. It suggests the land is unused and superfluous to requirements. It should be described as “West Street Small Park” as it is correctly named in the list of 100 parks and open spaces on Bexley’s own website. This is a mature small park planted with trees and grass which was specifically provided by the Council for the use of local residents when West Street was part of a General Improvement Area c. 1984. If approval is given to this application it would be in direct defiance of a planning condition imposed by this Council on the developer in 2003 when the adjoining blocks of flats were built; namely, that this then well established little park should remain as is and left to mature – which it has done! If conditions imposed by the Council can be overturned a relatively short time later how can we have any trust in the Council’s Planning and Legal departments? We cannot see how, in these circumstances, approval can be given to this application which would mean the loss of one of the most beautiful small roadside parks in the borough A well loved park used by residents and visitors with safe and easy access to the Thames Pathway. This application would destroy most, if not all, of the matured trees (approx. 30) in this lovely little park at a time when the Government is proposing that millions of trees should be planted to combat climate change. Each of these doomed trees provides as much oxygen in a season as 10 people breathe in a year. They are essential to mitigate the effects of the heavy volume of traffic emissions containing particulate matter which is deadly, especially to the young and elderly. These trees protect us from flooding and extreme heat by reducing temperature by about 7 degrees Celsius. Also, insect life in mature trees cannot be replaced if they are felled. The Council’s website states that there are 623 hectares of open space in Bexley Borough. Erith has just over 5 hectares and this small park is 0.3 hectares. How can the loss of this park be justified considering Erith has the least amount of open space compared to the rest of the Borough? This park is an essential “green break” between the extended Riverside Gardens to the east and the Council maintained churchyard of St. John the Baptist (which dates back to Saxon times) at the western end of West Street". What do you think? Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
As I have written in the past, Erith and Crayford were the historic home of Vickers Sons and Maxim Limited, who had factories in both locations which made a whole range of armaments and ammunition, principally the Vickers Machine Gun – which was an easier to produce, lighter and cheaper version of the original Maxim Gun, invented by Sir Hiram Maxim - the most famous local resident. What is less well known is that Vickers Vimy heavy bombers were also constructed on a limited basis. It is thought that the aeroplane which transported Alcock and Brown on the historic very first flight across the Atlantic was one of those produced locally. In the present the fact that both Erith and Crayford were major arms manufacturing towns is unknown to many residents; indeed the only relic of the Vickers Sons and Maxim factory in Erith is that the area of shops and houses located at the bend where Woolwich Road becomes Fraser Road is still known by older locals as “The Pom Pom” – due to the sound of guns being tested in the dedicated shooting range that was adjacent to the factory for many years. I think it sad that many people still call the area by the informal name, but very few seem to know the actual reason for it. Nowadays one could be forgiven for thinking that all of the changes that have happened over the years that arms manufacturing was no longer something that no longer happened locally. In matter of fact nothing could be further from the truth. Slade Green is home to a company, which until 2014 was known as Manroy Engineering, and is now called FN Herstal - a company that specialises in the manufacture and refurbishment of machine guns and light cannon for the military. They also make all sorts of weapon mounts, gun turrets for armoured vehicles and assorted other military hardware such as specialised sniper rifles and vehicle armour packages. They keep a very low profile for security reasons, but they are actually located on the Power Works site on Slade Green Road, opposite St. Augustine's church. It is amazing what a little bit of searching on Google Street view can find! Anyway, the Vickers machine gun or Vickers gun is a name primarily used to refer to the water-cooled .303 British (7.7 mm) calibre machine gun produced by Vickers Limited, originally for the British Army. The machine gun typically required a six to eight-man team to operate: one fired, one fed the ammunition, the rest helped to carry the weapon, its ammunition and spare parts. It was in service from before the First World War until the 1960s, with air-cooled versions of it on many Allied World War I fighter aircraft. The weapon had a reputation for great solidity and reliability. Ian V. Hogg, in the book Weapons and War Machines, describes an action that took place in August 1916, during which the British 100th Company of the Machine Gun Corps fired their ten Vickers guns continuously for twelve hours. Using 100 barrels, they fired a million rounds without a failure. "It was this absolute fool proof reliability which endeared the Vickers to every British soldier who ever fired one.” The Vickers machine gun was based on the successful Maxim gun of the late 19th century. After purchasing the Maxim company outright in 1896, Vickers took the design of the Maxim gun and improved it, reducing its weight by lightening and simplifying the action and substituting components made with high strength alloys. A muzzle break was also added. The British Army formally adopted the Vickers gun as its standard machine gun on 26 November 1912, using it alongside their existing Maxims. There were still great shortages when the First World War began, and the British Expeditionary Force was still equipped with Maxims when sent to France in 1914. Vickers was, in fact, threatened with prosecution for war profiteering, due to the exorbitant price it was demanding for each gun. As a result, the price was slashed. As the war progressed, and numbers increased, it became the British Army's primary machine gun, and served on all fronts during the conflict. When the Lewis Gun was adopted as a light machine gun and issued to infantry units, the Vickers guns were redefined as heavy machine guns, withdrawn from infantry units, and grouped in the hands of the new Machine Gun Corps (when heavier 0.5 in/12.7 mm calibre machine guns appeared, the tripod-mounted, rifle-calibre machine guns like the Vickers became medium machine guns). After the First World War, the Machine Gun Corps (MGC) was disbanded and the Vickers returned to infantry units. Before the Second World War, there were plans to replace the Vickers gun. However, the Vickers remained in service with the British Army until 30 March 1968. Hundreds of thousands of these guns were manufactured in Erith and Crayford over several decades, and during both World Wars, this meant that the towns were legitimate wartime bombing targets. During both World Wars, the area economically benefited – for example in 1914, the number of trams run in Crayford and Erith was increased to transport the large number of munitions workers many of whom worked for Vickers making ammunition for use on the Western Front. With most of the young men volunteering for military service (conscription was yet to begin) many women entered paid employment for the first time, something that directly led to the start of female emancipation with the Representation of the People Act 1918. I have written at some length about inventor and businessman Hiram Maxim in the past; Maxim was American born but later naturalised British. He invented the sprung mouse trap, the first practical machine gun, the incandescent light bulb (though he famously failed to get the patent registered before Thomas Edison and Joseph Swan) and the first heavier than air aircraft. After moving to England in 1881, Maxim began his aerial experiments at Baldwyns Park near Bexley Village, in the late 1880's, leading to the construction in 1893 of his enormous biplane Test-Rig, which weighed about three and a half tons. The machine's two steam engines each produced 180 horsepower. and turned two pusher propellers each 17-1/2 feet in diameter. Since the device was intended to be a test vehicle it was held to a track, preventing it from rising more than a couple of feet. On the Maxim Biplane Test-Rig's third test run, on July 31, 1894, with Maxim and a crew of three aboard, it lifted with such force that it broke the reinforced restraining track and careened for some two hundred yards, at times reaching an altitude of two or three feet above the damaged track. It was believed that a lifting force of some four and a half tons had been generated. After this, Maxim allowed his assistants to demonstrate the flying machine on a number of additional occasions, but he took no further part in the development – he rightly realised that the machine was a design “dead end” as it lacked practical flight controls. It was not until 1903 that the Wright Brothers worked out their system of ailerons and rudders that made flying practical and controllable.
The weather over the last couple of weeks has been notoriously atrocious. Much has already been written about the subject, and I don't want to repeat what has already been said. One thing that it has highlighted is something I have mentioned in the past, but I feel that needs to be restated. There is understandable concern and public interest in the current coronavirus outbreak, yet there is a risk of infection from another source, and it is far more likely that you will encounter it. People who put their feet on the seats on public transport is something that winds me up no end; not only is it antisocial, but it is extremely unhygienic. Even if the culprit has not directly stood in a dog turd, the harmful bacteria from excrement is washed all over every pavement when it rains and everybody gets faecal bacteria on their footwear, whether they know it or not. It is only after a period of bright sunshine that the Ultra Violet light from the sun kills the micro organisms, but for much of the time in winter the footpaths and streets of Britain are literally awash with harmful bacteria, mainly from dog droppings. When someone puts their feet onto a bus or train seat, they transfer some of this bacteria onto the fabric of the seat, where it can live quite happily for several days. In that time, multiple bottoms will have sat on the invisible bacteria colony, transferring some of them for another ride on an unwitting hosts' clothes. The person has only to touch the invisibly infected area to pass harmful bugs onto their hands, and from there, virtually anywhere. This is one of the main reasons that when you visit a hospital or nursing care home, you are strongly encouraged to use antibacterial hand gel, which is normally supplied in a dispenser by the entrance. A good wash with soap and hot water will do pretty much the same, if like me you are sensitive to the gel. I have been told by a couple of medical professionals that about a third of infections blamed on MRSA in hospitals and nursing homes are actually caused by canine faecal bacteria transferred from visitors' clothing. Think on this next time you see someone putting their feet on a seat.
I came across the advert above in an old map of Erith that I have had for absolutely ages. It was old when I was given it. Hedley Mitchell was the largest and by far the most important shop in the old Victorian Erith town centre. It was the towns' department store, and as large and grand as Hides in Bexleyheath. Many older local residents recall Hedley Mitchell with great affection. The store had a very high reputation for formal service. It was the first building to be demolished when work began to create the new (and subsequently much hated) brutalist concrete shopping centre in 1966. In fact the first act of demolition was carried out by the then Deputy Mayor, Councillor Mrs M Barron, ceremoniously smashed the window of Hedley Mitchell's store to mark the commencement of the demolition of Erith Town Centre to make way for redevelopment. As a consequence, all the existing Victorian buildings were lost. With hindsight, this was a terrible mistake - the existing town centre should have been sympathetically restored. I gather that this was considered, but would have cost too much money; instead they built a relatively cheap but undeniably ugly replacement out of bare concrete. I don't know anyone who had a good word to say about it. Consequently a lot of businesses upped sticks and moved to Bexleyheath or Northumberland Heath, and it is only now, over fifty years later that much of the social and economic damage is being put right. The current Erith Riverside Shopping Centre is actually a very clever redesign of the much hated sixties structure, rather than a ground up new build, but it has been done with taste and sensitivity - something entirely missing in the original, which was a smelly and soulless concrete monstrosity, detested by all.
Now for the weekly local safety and security updates from Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association. The photo above shows Neighbourhood Watch coordinators who attended the Yorkshire Building Society at Broadway, Bexleyheath, to assist at a fraud awareness event, at which they were informing people all about scams. They have been invited back for regular events and look forward to seeing people there in the future. Barnehurst ward - no report this week. Belvedere ward:- "From Neighbourhood Watch Member - in Flaxman Court -Flaxman Court is a block of flats for elderly people (independent living). On 21st February someone allowed access to, two door to door salesmen which is not allowed. The men were very forceful and I can only describe them as ‘bullying' in an attempt to get the residents to buy items. However, I immediately informed the scheme manager who spoke to the men and asked them to leave the building which they did after being very verbal. From Police SNT Team - PCSO Robert Holmes:- On Friday 21/02/2020 we had a burglary in Ashburnham Road. A male had gained access via the front door but was seen and disturbed. Nothing taken and no damage caused. Over a two week period there was also a burglary in Eardley Road. The house was unfortunately ransacked. The suspect(s) had gained access via the rear door, causing damage. Unknown what was taken at this stage. We have had several thefts from motor vehicles recently on the ward. Please do take all valuables out of your vehicles and do not leave anything on display which might tempt a thief!" Bexleyheath ward:-"Monday 17/02/20 2000 Robbery Personal near Premier Inn Albion Road Head Phones and watch. Monday 17/02/20 1715 Robbery Personal Pushbike Stolen Council Offices Watling Street. Tuesday 18/02/20 1130 Purse Stolen from bag inside Library in Townley Road. Tuesday 18/02/20 0100 Criminal Damage nail in tyre Long Lane. Tuesday 18/02/20 1500 Attempted Theft Person Phone attempted to be taken from victims hand whilst using it Broadway - nothing taken.Wednesday 19/02/20 0330 – 0410 Burglary Business unknown items taken. Tuesday 18/02/20 1817 Theft from Meters Albion Road Car Park cash stolen. Thursday 20/02/20 1400 – 1430 Theft Person Phone taken from pocket Hospice Shop Broadway. Thursday 20/02/20 2000 – 2100 Theft of Motor Vehicle Swanbridge Road van taken keys still in victims possession. Saturday 22/02/20 0100 – 0615 Business Burglary Broadway cash and computer stolen. Saturday 22/02/20 2110 – 2115 Att Robbery on bus near Arnsberg Way - nothing taken. Friday 21/02/20 0900 – 1000 Burglary Bike Shed Clocktower Court 2 x pushbikes taken. Saturday 22/02/20 0700 Theft From Motor Vehicle Number Plates Stolen Hyde Road. Thursday 20/02/20 1200 – 1630 Theft of Motor Vehicle Albion Road. Tuesday 25/02/20 1510 – 1620 Theft from Motor Vehicle Catalytic Converter Sainsbury's car park. Tuesday 25/02/20 0945 – 1030 Theft of wallet on bus near Albion Road". Crayford ward - no report this week. Erith ward:- "Theft from and of motor vehicles is up. Please see the crime advice: Car security at home. Where possible ensure that your vehicle is parked on your driveway or in your garage if you have one. Alternatively, ensure your vehicle is parked in a well-lit area. Have an alarm and immobiliser fitted if your vehicle doesn't already have one. This is an effective way of deterring criminals. A Thatcham-compliant immobiliser or steering lock can help secure older vehicles. Locking wheel nuts are cheap and easy to fit to prevent your alloy wheels being stolen. Catalytic converters can be marked using a specialist metal security marking chemical and secure labels to warn potential thieves that the catalytic converter carries an identification mark. Securing your motorbike or scooter. If your motorbike or scooter doesn't already have one, consider having a Thatcham or Sold Secure approved electronic immobiliser professionally fitted. Ask your insurance company which devices they would recommend that will not invalidate your policy. If you have a security device fitted, always use it. A wide variety of locks can be used, such as chains or padlocks, disc locks and D locks. The most important thing to remember is to secure your motorbike to a solid object that can't be moved. Always put your steering lock on. When you are not using your motorbike or scooter, put it in your garage or a secure outbuilding with a fixed or ground anchor to secure it to inside the building. Don't leave your garage open and make sure your vehicle is covered up, even when you are at home. Crimes of note for the week Theft from Motor Vehicle Thursday 20/02/2020 Carrack House, Saltford Road. Theft from Motor Vehicle Friday 21/02/2020, Riverdale Road. Theft of Motor Vehicle Sunday 23/02/2020, Chandlers Drive. Theft of Motor Vehicle Sunday 23/02/2020, Callender Road. Theft of Motor Vehicle Monday 24/02/2020 South Road. Theft from Motor Vehicle Monday 24/02/2020 Holly Hill Road". Northumberland Heath ward:- "Good news this week we have had no Burglaries reported within the last two weeks but unfortunately we have had several reports of theft from and theft of motor vehicles. Theft of pedal cycle from Belmont Road. Theft of motor vehicle - Vauxhall Grandland Estate from Bexley Road . Vehicle was then recovered a few days later. Theft of motor vehicle – Fiesta Ghia from Brook Street, Erith. Attempted theft of a motor vehicle on Northumberland Park. Victim found a strange key in the ignition and the the wires had been ripped out from underneath the dashboard. Theft of number plates from Penda Road, Erith". Slade Green and Northend ward:- "Only one crime of note this last week, a vehicle was stolen from Betsham Road between 1700 and 1900 hours on Friday 21st Feb. The owner was alerted after the van was seen by a friend in Springhead Road but not being driven by him. No further information at this stage". Thamesmead East ward:-"Burglary Residential - Walsham Close Monday 17/02/2020 13:00 - Monday 17/02/2020 13:02:00 Keys to the property were hung up behind the door which was insecure. Suspect/s have opened the door removed car keys stolen victim's vehicle. Motor Vehicle Crime - Kale Road, Trefoil House Sunday 16/02/2020 14:00 – Monday 17/02/2020 08:30 suspect/s have gained access to vehicle by unknown method, causing damage to rear seats as they attempted to gain access into the boot. Handbag containing keys stolen from inside vehicle. Lensbury Way Monday 17/02/2020 13:00 – Friday 21/02/2020 11:00 Catalytic converter stolen from Honda Accord by suspect/s unknown. Glimpsing Green Tuesday 18/2/20 06:40 – 08:20 victim parked car at location on returning to the vehicle it was found the rear windscreen had been smashed by suspect/s. Sydney Road Thursday 20/2/20 22:00 – Friday 21/2/2020 19:00 Motor vehicle stolen. Leatherbottle Green 21/2/20 15:00 – 17:00 victim reports suspect/s have stolen his motorbike. A neighbour stated they saw 2 men loading the bike onto a trailer. Wolvercote Road Friday 21/2/20 18:00 – 15:00 Saturday 22/2/20 unknown suspect/s have removed Catalytic converter from Honda Civic. Baylis Avenue Sunday 23/2/20 09:30 – 11:15 Victims reports upon return to vehicle the passenger front window has been smashed beyond repair by suspect/s unknown. Hinksey Path Monday 24/2/20 08:35 – 08:58 victim reports Toyota Corolla broken into via smashed driver's side window nothing taken". West Heath ward:- "One burglary reported to us in Amberley Road this week between the hours of 1200 – 22.28 hours on Friday February 21st. It is not known at this stage of the enquiry how entry was gained or if anything was taken. Theft of a front number plate in Axminster Crescent Wednesday February 19th 170 – Thursday February 20th 11.30. The team have been busy as usual conducting High Visibility patrols in uniform and plain clothes across the ward. One arrest was made this week for domestic criminal damage, and a youth found in possession of cannabis was interviewed at the station. Further drop in surgeries at the Library in Bostall heath will be advertised shortly".
The end video this week is a bit of a promotion for the local area. Let me know what you think; you can Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
Now for the weekly local safety and security updates from Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association. The photo above shows Neighbourhood Watch coordinators who attended the Yorkshire Building Society at Broadway, Bexleyheath, to assist at a fraud awareness event, at which they were informing people all about scams. They have been invited back for regular events and look forward to seeing people there in the future. Barnehurst ward - no report this week. Belvedere ward:- "From Neighbourhood Watch Member - in Flaxman Court -Flaxman Court is a block of flats for elderly people (independent living). On 21st February someone allowed access to, two door to door salesmen which is not allowed. The men were very forceful and I can only describe them as ‘bullying' in an attempt to get the residents to buy items. However, I immediately informed the scheme manager who spoke to the men and asked them to leave the building which they did after being very verbal. From Police SNT Team - PCSO Robert Holmes:- On Friday 21/02/2020 we had a burglary in Ashburnham Road. A male had gained access via the front door but was seen and disturbed. Nothing taken and no damage caused. Over a two week period there was also a burglary in Eardley Road. The house was unfortunately ransacked. The suspect(s) had gained access via the rear door, causing damage. Unknown what was taken at this stage. We have had several thefts from motor vehicles recently on the ward. Please do take all valuables out of your vehicles and do not leave anything on display which might tempt a thief!" Bexleyheath ward:-"Monday 17/02/20 2000 Robbery Personal near Premier Inn Albion Road Head Phones and watch. Monday 17/02/20 1715 Robbery Personal Pushbike Stolen Council Offices Watling Street. Tuesday 18/02/20 1130 Purse Stolen from bag inside Library in Townley Road. Tuesday 18/02/20 0100 Criminal Damage nail in tyre Long Lane. Tuesday 18/02/20 1500 Attempted Theft Person Phone attempted to be taken from victims hand whilst using it Broadway - nothing taken.Wednesday 19/02/20 0330 – 0410 Burglary Business unknown items taken. Tuesday 18/02/20 1817 Theft from Meters Albion Road Car Park cash stolen. Thursday 20/02/20 1400 – 1430 Theft Person Phone taken from pocket Hospice Shop Broadway. Thursday 20/02/20 2000 – 2100 Theft of Motor Vehicle Swanbridge Road van taken keys still in victims possession. Saturday 22/02/20 0100 – 0615 Business Burglary Broadway cash and computer stolen. Saturday 22/02/20 2110 – 2115 Att Robbery on bus near Arnsberg Way - nothing taken. Friday 21/02/20 0900 – 1000 Burglary Bike Shed Clocktower Court 2 x pushbikes taken. Saturday 22/02/20 0700 Theft From Motor Vehicle Number Plates Stolen Hyde Road. Thursday 20/02/20 1200 – 1630 Theft of Motor Vehicle Albion Road. Tuesday 25/02/20 1510 – 1620 Theft from Motor Vehicle Catalytic Converter Sainsbury's car park. Tuesday 25/02/20 0945 – 1030 Theft of wallet on bus near Albion Road". Crayford ward - no report this week. Erith ward:- "Theft from and of motor vehicles is up. Please see the crime advice: Car security at home. Where possible ensure that your vehicle is parked on your driveway or in your garage if you have one. Alternatively, ensure your vehicle is parked in a well-lit area. Have an alarm and immobiliser fitted if your vehicle doesn't already have one. This is an effective way of deterring criminals. A Thatcham-compliant immobiliser or steering lock can help secure older vehicles. Locking wheel nuts are cheap and easy to fit to prevent your alloy wheels being stolen. Catalytic converters can be marked using a specialist metal security marking chemical and secure labels to warn potential thieves that the catalytic converter carries an identification mark. Securing your motorbike or scooter. If your motorbike or scooter doesn't already have one, consider having a Thatcham or Sold Secure approved electronic immobiliser professionally fitted. Ask your insurance company which devices they would recommend that will not invalidate your policy. If you have a security device fitted, always use it. A wide variety of locks can be used, such as chains or padlocks, disc locks and D locks. The most important thing to remember is to secure your motorbike to a solid object that can't be moved. Always put your steering lock on. When you are not using your motorbike or scooter, put it in your garage or a secure outbuilding with a fixed or ground anchor to secure it to inside the building. Don't leave your garage open and make sure your vehicle is covered up, even when you are at home. Crimes of note for the week Theft from Motor Vehicle Thursday 20/02/2020 Carrack House, Saltford Road. Theft from Motor Vehicle Friday 21/02/2020, Riverdale Road. Theft of Motor Vehicle Sunday 23/02/2020, Chandlers Drive. Theft of Motor Vehicle Sunday 23/02/2020, Callender Road. Theft of Motor Vehicle Monday 24/02/2020 South Road. Theft from Motor Vehicle Monday 24/02/2020 Holly Hill Road". Northumberland Heath ward:- "Good news this week we have had no Burglaries reported within the last two weeks but unfortunately we have had several reports of theft from and theft of motor vehicles. Theft of pedal cycle from Belmont Road. Theft of motor vehicle - Vauxhall Grandland Estate from Bexley Road . Vehicle was then recovered a few days later. Theft of motor vehicle – Fiesta Ghia from Brook Street, Erith. Attempted theft of a motor vehicle on Northumberland Park. Victim found a strange key in the ignition and the the wires had been ripped out from underneath the dashboard. Theft of number plates from Penda Road, Erith". Slade Green and Northend ward:- "Only one crime of note this last week, a vehicle was stolen from Betsham Road between 1700 and 1900 hours on Friday 21st Feb. The owner was alerted after the van was seen by a friend in Springhead Road but not being driven by him. No further information at this stage". Thamesmead East ward:-"Burglary Residential - Walsham Close Monday 17/02/2020 13:00 - Monday 17/02/2020 13:02:00 Keys to the property were hung up behind the door which was insecure. Suspect/s have opened the door removed car keys stolen victim's vehicle. Motor Vehicle Crime - Kale Road, Trefoil House Sunday 16/02/2020 14:00 – Monday 17/02/2020 08:30 suspect/s have gained access to vehicle by unknown method, causing damage to rear seats as they attempted to gain access into the boot. Handbag containing keys stolen from inside vehicle. Lensbury Way Monday 17/02/2020 13:00 – Friday 21/02/2020 11:00 Catalytic converter stolen from Honda Accord by suspect/s unknown. Glimpsing Green Tuesday 18/2/20 06:40 – 08:20 victim parked car at location on returning to the vehicle it was found the rear windscreen had been smashed by suspect/s. Sydney Road Thursday 20/2/20 22:00 – Friday 21/2/2020 19:00 Motor vehicle stolen. Leatherbottle Green 21/2/20 15:00 – 17:00 victim reports suspect/s have stolen his motorbike. A neighbour stated they saw 2 men loading the bike onto a trailer. Wolvercote Road Friday 21/2/20 18:00 – 15:00 Saturday 22/2/20 unknown suspect/s have removed Catalytic converter from Honda Civic. Baylis Avenue Sunday 23/2/20 09:30 – 11:15 Victims reports upon return to vehicle the passenger front window has been smashed beyond repair by suspect/s unknown. Hinksey Path Monday 24/2/20 08:35 – 08:58 victim reports Toyota Corolla broken into via smashed driver's side window nothing taken". West Heath ward:- "One burglary reported to us in Amberley Road this week between the hours of 1200 – 22.28 hours on Friday February 21st. It is not known at this stage of the enquiry how entry was gained or if anything was taken. Theft of a front number plate in Axminster Crescent Wednesday February 19th 170 – Thursday February 20th 11.30. The team have been busy as usual conducting High Visibility patrols in uniform and plain clothes across the ward. One arrest was made this week for domestic criminal damage, and a youth found in possession of cannabis was interviewed at the station. Further drop in surgeries at the Library in Bostall heath will be advertised shortly".
The end video this week is a bit of a promotion for the local area. Let me know what you think; you can Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.
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