Caught in the act.

Events surrounding Electricity House and the African Church which operates out of the building have taken a bit of a turn this week; despite not having obtained any form of planning permission from Bexley Council, the church have now stepped up building work on the former snooker hall part of the building, and have been knocking out the first floor windows - you can see the new windows in the upper of the two photos of the building above - click on either to see a larger version. One local observer noted that "Over the last few days you may have noticed exterior walls being painted white?  Yesterday, the cowboys began knocking out the upper floor windows, Brick chippings and shards of glass were flying all over the pedestrian walkway. No thought for any Health and Safety precautions or for people visiting the shops in the parade underneath! I know that the Council received some complaints from shop owners and the public yesterday, but there seemed to be very little interest or concern in getting the work stopped on a Friday afternoon. so duly they are back there again today carrying on with a few ladders cordoning off the dangerous areas. Oh, and a man stood below with a broom ready to sweep up the debris. It is madness!  Surely, there must be some rules and regs about this sort of thing? Clearly our Council don`t care, if any one gets hurt, they just let them do what they want, and keep turning a blind eye!" Bexley Council have issued a number of enforcement notices against the church, but they seem reluctant to take any direct action. One of my contacts tells me that "The Council took a step back in their intended Enforcement action because Pastor Ogedengbe had appointed a solicitor to fight her battle which has left them running scared after she also branded Bexley Council`s legal team as being "Racist". You know, the tiresome defence attitude, rather than just accepting that there are certain rules and regulations when it comes to the planning requirements of this land. She considers herself above the authorities and only answerable to her God". As detailed in previous editions, it is known that the original Redeemed Christian Church of God that occupied the former tyre warehouse portion of Electricity House was wound up, and a new organisation called the King's Gen Foundation has now taken over. It is my understanding that the new church group is being operated by exactly the same people as before, and that the name change is purely an administrative move to try and avoid enforcement actions by Bexley Council. There are also some serious concerns about the use the building is being put to; Pastor Ogedengbe has been widely promoting a "Parents R US Conference" on Saturday the 11th November from 9am-5pm. She also says in her videos that the place will be open "all night long" inviting anyone who cannot afford a hotel, and wants to stay the night for a sleepover at the venue on the night before the conference. This conflicts with the fire regulations and the building usage permissions. Bexley Council are aware of this planned overnight event; time will tell as to what they will actually do about it. I have also been informed that certain other official organisations are now involved in the Electricity House / former snooker club issue. Due to some sensitivities with their investigations, I had better leave it at that for the current time; I am sure that I will be able to write in more detail in the not too distant future. It seems to me that the operators of the church - whatever name it is currently using, are fully aware that they are playing fast and loose with the planning regulations, but think they can bulldoze through the rules with a combination of bravado and false accusations of racism. What do you think? Leave a comment below, or Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.

It is pleasant when I get to publish some really good new, as it does not seem to happen nearly often enough.  As many of you will already know, news broke on Wednesday morning that Bexleyheath Police Station has been saved - it is now no longer under threat of closure. Both our local MP's strongly opposed the closure proposal, and interviewed in The News Shopper, Teresa Pearce MP said:- "I am delighted that Bexleyheath Police Station has been saved. Closing the station and moving the front counter to Sidcup would have directly impacted upon my constituents, and I opposed the proposals in the strongest terms to the London Mayor Sadiq Khan. As with any change on this scale, our community has voiced genuine and passionate concerns. Through the consultation process, the police have listened to those concerns and where possible and operationally viable, revised their plans accordingly." David Evennett MP said:-"This is really good news and I am glad the London Mayor listened and dropped his proposal. It is a real victory for local people and common sense". One person who in my opinion has done more to save Bexleyheath Police Station than anyone else is Dana Wiffen, the Chairman of Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association, who has campaigned tirelessly to retain the site. The next task he will be undertaking will be to try and increase the number of Police officers serving in the Borough. It is now well known that the local crime rate is up, and the best way to combat this is to have more trained officers available to investigate and prevent crime. I am unsure of how this will pan out; I know that London Mayor Sadiq Khan needs to save money, but cutting back on law and order is very unlikely to be a vote winner.

Do you recognise the person in the photo montage above? Click on it for a larger view; the illegal moped rider was filmed on the 28th October riding the wrong way down Holly Hill Road in Upper Belvedere - a one way street - in addition to riding the wrong way, he was minus helmet, and the moped appeared to have no registration plate, and was thus very likely stolen. Car dash cam footage was sent to me by a regular reader who wishes to remain anonymous. It is great to catch a criminal in the act, and to get clear images of the offender in action. Copies of the still images along with the video have been sent to the Police. A message from Dana Wiffen of Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association regarding recent Police action against local illegal bikers:- "Two success stories. Cory’s have been working with Transport Police, Safer Neighbourhood Groups and landowners to try stop the anti-social biker gatherings taking place outside their facility in Norman Road. On Sunday 22nd October a coordinated police operation saw the arrest of 17 people involved and the seizure of 16 motorbikes and 2 quad bikes. It is hoped that this will send a message to other such anti-social bikers that this behaviour will not be tolerated. Cory’s have also received a commendation from the Metropolitan Police for their support of police teams while they were carrying out a search for evidence in securing a conviction and for providing protection to police teams while they were carrying out their tasks in a potentially hostile environment. This award which is normally reserved for police courage and is only issued a handful of times each year is to be presented to Cory staff in the near future".  This is excellent news; pressure needs to be kept up on the illegal bike gangs. At present this seems to me to be the number one local policing priority - to stamp out the threat from the illegal moped / bike gangs. I have noticed over the last week that the number of illegal riders on the streets seems to have dropped considerably. Whether this is a direct result of the Police action is currently unknown; it may be that the gangs are "laying low" for a while - hoping to go back to their criminal and anti social behaviour once the heat dies down. The Metropolitan Police released a report last week that stated that the latest statistics showed a 25 per cent reduction in the number of powered two wheel bikes stolen in the last six months to the end of September. There was also a 24 per cent fall in the number of reported moped related crimes over the same period, and rising arrest rates and convictions of prolific offenders. The Met revealed it was using tactics successfully deployed by the Trident gangs team to respond to scooter offences, targeting moped thugs for other offences if possible. Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick said in a recent interview:-“We know that our criminal cohort committing crime on scooters also carry knives, have links to networks who handle stolen property and who deal drugs. So if you are a persistent phone thief - using a scooter to commit your crimes - and we can prove your involvement in other offences, such as drug dealing, you will be arrested. This is where the public can help us. I want to mobilise communities, to channel their outrage as part of a joint effort to make our streets safer. Look after your belongings, follow our security advice and tell us about the people who are responsible for crime in your communities and help us tackle them.”

Transport enthusiasts have been getting excited, as one of the new British Rail Class 345 trains has been sighted in the sidings at Abbey Wood Station. I understand that it is to be based at Abbey Wood Station for a series of tests of the new rail lines, signalling and safety systems.  I know that people have been photographing the new arrival, which will be around for some time, or so I am told.

Many local radio stations have been running adverts recently that promote interest in the possible changes to the electoral boundaries. There has been much controversy around the possible move - the main idea behind the proposed changes is to make the number of electors in each constituency roughly equal, which is currently not the case. Local MP for Erith and Thamesmead Teresa Pearce said in an interview with The News Shopper that:- "It seems unlikely that these proposals will go through with the Conservatives reliant on the DUP for a parliamentary majority, and the DUP have been clear that they do not support the proposals for Northern Ireland. Personally I was disappointed to see that Thamesmead is proposed to be split across two constituencies – Thamesmead is one community which faces so many challenges and I believe would be better served with one MP for the whole town. Nevertheless it is important that as many people as possible participate in the ongoing consultation around the proposals to ensure that our communities are appropriately represented in Parliament.” David Evennett, the MP for Bexleyheath and Crayford said that:-"I am very disappointed at the revised proposals of the Parliamentary Boundary Commission for Bexley, as they do not heed community interests or the views expressed by local residents. To not recognise the borough’s major town of Bexleyheath in the name of a constituency cannot be right. I very much hope the Boundary Commission will reconsider their proposals in the final stage of the review.”

You may recall that two weeks ago I featured a promotion on an event to be held by The Association of Bexley Charities '78. The event has now taken place, and local charity activist John Salt sent me the two photos taken at the event, which you can see above - click on either for a larger version. The three people in the lower of the two photographs are from left to right, John Wilkinson, Deputy Mayor, Peter Hickson, Honorary Life President of The Association of Bexley Charities ’78 and Carol Wilkinson, Deputy Mayoress. John Salt writes:- “The Association of Bexley Charities ’78 held its Autumn Fair in the Geddes Place United Reformed Church hall, Bexleyheath, on the 28th October. There were 12 stalls selling a wide range of goods, including Christmas cards, calendars, cakes, jams, jigsaw puzzles, model railway items, jewellery, knitted goods, children’s toys, handbags, shoes and books.  The event was very well attended by more than 100 people. The Deputy Mayor of Bexley, John Wilkinson and the Deputy Mayoress, his wife Carol, also supported the event and spent more than an hour meeting the stall holders. The event was a great success, raising more than £800.”

Now for the weekly safety and security reports from the various wards that make up Bexley Borough Neighbourhood Watch Association. Firstly from Barnehurst ward:- "On Thursday 26th October 2017 at 10.51pm a vehicle was found ablaze by the garages at the rear of Grove Road. London Fire Brigade attended and believe this was a deliberate fire caused by suspects unknown. Local residents informed London Fire Brigade that fireworks were being set off prior to their arrival. On Friday 27th October 2017 between 04.00pm and 04.05pm a mountain bike was stolen from a garage in Manor Way. The garage had been left unattended for five minutes with the garage door closed down but not locked. The bike in question is a giant mountain bike, model AT X2, orange in colour with gold hand grips, and was in perfect condition. If found please call 101 or your local policing team on 0208 721 2577. On Friday 27th October 2017 in Taunton Close a window was smashed. This Incident relates to an ongoing issue where youths are targeting property’s in Taunton Close. The timings of these Incidents vary from 06.00pm to midnight. Police have carried out a number of patrols at various times with negative results. Barnehurst Golf Club have since erected a wired security fence in the hope this will deter the youths in future and protect the property’s in Taunton Close. Additional ball collections are also being carried out at the driving range with the last collection being at 10.00pm. Halloween proved very busy with a large number of calls coming in from all over the Borough. Barnehurst Officers are aware of the criminal damage made to a number of vehicles in Martens Avenue and Old Road. We are in the process of gathering all of the Information together regarding these incidents. Please join us at Barnehurst Golf Club on Thursday 16th November 2017 at 1.00pm if you wish to discuss any of the issues mentioned or have any other matters you would like to raise with us. Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @MPSBarnehurst". Belvedere ward:- "At this time of the year with Halloween and Guy Fawkes there is often a rise in anti-social behaviour. As such, the team have been working later shifts over the last week and have been participating in the Met-wide ‘Autumn Nights’ initiative to tackle such issues. The team were working on Halloween and very few issues were reported to police on 31/10/2017 around the ward. However, PC Green did arrest a male while working with colleagues from Crayford ward. The male was seen by officers riding a stolen motorcycle which had been taken the night before from Sidcup. The bike was seized by police and taken for forensics to be done, meanwhile PC Green stopped a person matching the description of the rider. After confirming this was the same person, he was arrested for theft of motor-vehicle, driving while disqualified and handling stolen goods. PC Holmes was working with colleagues across the borough and searched a male for articles to commit criminal damage as well as responding to numerous calls of ASB (Anti Social Behaviour) around the borough. PCSO Worrall conducted thorough foot patrols across Belvedere with no issues to report. On 30/10/2017 the team were again working late and located a stolen motorcycle. The bike was found on Clive Road but sadly was badly damaged with identifying markers such as the registration plate and chassis numbers being removed. The bike had been stolen a couple of weeks before. If you have any information as to who stole or was using this bike, please contact the team or Crime Stoppers. On 27/10/2017 PC Green was working with other officers as part of Autumn Nights and stopped a couple of youths who were causing ASB. These youths were taken home and parents informed as to their conduct. The Erith team have also been provided with their details should they be linked with any other ASB issues in the area. PC Holmes has been working on crime investigations as well as the above issues and has circulated more images of shoplifters through our identification unit. These images will be shown on social media shortly. Some images may be displayed in the stores as well in a bid to reduce offences. PC Green has also been working further on the issue of vehicle ASB and last week 15 people were arrested driving dangerously with 15 vehicles being seized by police. Surgeries and Events: The team were in the Co-op, Nuxley Road on 01/11/2017 and spoke with numerous residents and gave advice relating to crime prevention. There will be a street briefing on Saturday 4th November at 3pm on Nuxley Road relating to ASB in the area – please come along to attend and speak with the team. Our next surgery will be in ASDA on 16/11/2017 at 5pm". Brampton ward;- "Two Burglaries in Shakespeare Road and Pickford Lane - both rear access , nothing stolen at the first address but jewellery and cash taken at the second 1 x Theft A victim had dropped her purse in Dunwich Road and this was found in the morning empty of cash 1 x Common Assault in Long Lane 6 x Criminal damage to motor vehicles 1 in Rydal Drive a vehicle had tyres slashed and the rest in St Audrey Avenue on Halloween youths that caused havoc on the night kicked off wing mirrors I have also been on local aid on Operation Autumn nights that included patrolling Brampton ward hotspots for Burglary and Anti - social behaviour Four youths were stopped and searched on Halloween in Pickford Lane and before they could commit criminal damage along with Christchurch and Barnehurst officers we seized 55 eggs, 1 bag of tomato sauce and 2 rolls of kitchen paper , I will be visiting the homes of the youths as they lived on our ward and speaking with parents/guardians . I attended the Bexley Pensioners Forum as well during the week and took questions on behalf of the station , a lot of those were regarding the closure of Bexleyheath Police Station to which we have been informed that it will now stay OPEN".  Christ Church ward:- " We have had one burglary this week in Windsor Road between 1800 hours on the 29/10/2017 and 2100 hours 30/10/2017, where the rear French windows were forced and £900 worth of jewellery was stolen. Please see www.met.police.uk for crime prevention advice. We did have a theft of a motor bike from the alleyway between Primark and the old Pizza Hut (28/10/17 at 1415 hours). Sadly there has been two incidents of elderly ladies being targeted for theft of handbag, one occurred on 26/10/17 at 1100 in Card Factory and the other was in Morley’s on the same day at 1140. Our Town Centre Team are aware and are keeping an eye out whilst on patrol. Please do warn neighbours, family and friends of keeping their property safe whilst out and about. Do not let anyone distract you and ensure you can see your bag at all times. If going to the bank do not carry large sums of cash about your person or in your bag. We have visited Avante Care Home to meet other residents from Cedar Ward, and give crime prevention advice. Due to the nature of this time of year we have been tasked with Anti – Social Behaviour patrols and all the car parks and open spaces have been patrolled. We have been engaging with the youths we have come across and discussed Halloween with them to try and prevent vulnerable people being targeted. The team has been very busy over Halloween and a dispersal order was in place on 31/10/2017 to cover Halloween. Five youths were dispersed from the area and not allowed to return until 1200 hours 01/11/2017. Russell Close – Street Briefing this is in connection to anti social behaviour in the alleyway linking to Arnsberg Way. The whole close was leafleted and  four residents came and discussed their issues with us. Patrols will be carried out to deter the youths from congregating there who are causing ASB".  Crayford ward:- "It has been a busy week around Crayford Ward as for most of us are busy patrolling - on foot, in a vehicle and using the motorcycle and speaking with many people. There was a burglary at the top end of Station Road in Crayford on Saturday 28th November. It happened between 14.00-14.45 while the owners were out. Entry was made by removing a large pane of glass from a patio window and the exit point was the front door. Among items stolen was a large, very heavy safe containing a large amount of Asian gold as well as other items and documents. It would have taken at least four strong people to remove the safe and a van would have been used. it Is a very busy road, if anyone saw anything, please get in touch. On Sunday 29th October it was reported that a motorcycle had been tampered with, possibly with a view to being stolen, this happened in Sainsbury car park in Crayford between 14.00-14.20. A bag was stolen from a vehicle parked in Crayford Industrial Estate on Friday 27 October between 14.00-14.05. On a more positive note a motorcycle stolen in Sidcup overnight on Monday was recovered in an alleyway near Station Road on Tuesday afternoon and a Male who ran off it was arrested and taken to Plumstead Police station. Another motorcycle stolen from an address in the Kent police area was also recovered at the top of Station Road and returned to its owner".  Erith ward:- "We have carried out a lot of late night Halloween patrols around Erith. There was a bike-marking event on the 27/10/17 in which 5 bikes where marked. The next bike-marking is Wednesday 8/11/17 Erith Base at 2pm. 2 x Street briefing just off West Street and at Erith Pier Road base. We have changed a lot of our patrols to Late shift patrols to cover Erith later at night. PC Brown and PC Cousens set up a dispersal zone all around Erith for almost a week and have been policing this by issuing dispersal notices out to help tackle ASB. Twitter @MPSErith for latest updates on Events and bike marking". Lesnes Heath ward:- "Burglaries - On Thursday 26/10/17 between the hours of 05 : 30 pm and 07 : 35 pm a residential burglary occurred in King Harold's Way; Between the hours of 04 : 30 pm on Friday 27/10/17 and 10 :30 am on Monday 30/10/17, another residential burglary occurred in King Harold's Way. Home crime prevention - Check you have closed and locked all your doors and windows before leaving your property. If you have UPVC doors and windows double lock them with keys to secure them properly. Leave some lights on if it will be dark before you get home. Install low wattage ‘ dusk to dawn ‘ outside lighting. If you have a burglar alarm remember to activate it. Residents with shared drives consider installing motion activated lights, CCTV covering the driveway and maybe install gates to help prevent access to the rear /side of properties. Protect your important property, register at: https://www.immobilise.com Motor vehicle crimes - Between the hours of 04:00 pm Saturday 21/10/17 and 08:45 am Sunday 22/10/17 theft from motor vehicle Coralline Walk. However the incident was not reported until Thursday 26/10/17; Between the hours of 07 : 00pm on Monday 30/10/17 and 08:00 am on Tuesday 31/10/17 a moped was stolen from a property in Woolwich Road. Check your home security - Have you locked your doors and windows? Did you know that your vehicle is like a shop window? If you can see ANY property left on view then so can a thief. Take it with you". North End ward:- "One vehicle broken into this week in Crescent Road, baby pushchair and monitor stolen from the boot. We attended Slade Green Big Local Community Safety day last Saturday and had a Crime Prevention table giving out various crime prevention leaflets to many residents. On Halloween late patrols were carried out in the ward. There were less ASB related calls than usual but we still ended the evening with 2 cannabis seizures, 9 Stop and searches and 3 stop and accounts". Northumberland Heath ward:- "On Thursday October 26th we held our quarterly Ward Panel Meeting and our priorities for the next three months will be focusing on anti-social behaviour in general. A CBO (Community Breach Order) was issued to a youth who has persistently caused anti-social behaviour in and around Northumberland Heath. This CBO has the power to arrest this individual if he continues to act in an anti-social manner. One burglary on Thursday October 26th in Penhurst Road which took place between 2.30pm – 7.45pm. Entry appears to have been gained via the next door neighbour’s garden and access to the property was through the kitchen window. where cash and jewellery were stolen. There has been criminal damage to a property in Avenue Road this week where a traffic cone was thrown at a window causing it to smash. Thankfully no one was injured. Also a window in Brook street was smashed on Monday October 30th and a theft of a mobile phone at the Pantiles on Tuesday 31st October. An unattended trailer was stolen from a rear driveway in Northumberland Heath on Wednesday of last week between 12.30 – 1pm. Halloween was a busy night for the team in the earlier part of the evening, where a large group of youths caused damage to a property in Dickens Close, a number of eggs were thrown at the doors and windows. The group had made off when police arrived however three youths were stopped and searched in Byron Park. On the whole there were less calls to the team regarding Halloween anti-social behaviour than in previous years. The next drop in Police Surgeries will be held in the Library in Mill Road on Thursday November 2nd and Thursday November 9th both at Noon". Thamesmead East ward:- "Bayliss Avenue - Criminal Damage to Motor vehicle - a smashed windscreen; 27/10/17– 21:30hrs Centurion Way - Theft from Motor vehicle over the weekend employee noticed the diesel cap being off and a wet patch next to the offside of the vehicle. Diesel stolen; 28/10/17 1900hrs Holstein Way – Theft from Motor vehicle Victim left his vehicle parked locked following morning at around 0850 hours and he noticed that his number plates were missing; 28/10/17 21:00hrs Redbourne Drive – Criminal Damage to internal mail box has been damaged flap ripped off bent left on the floor; 31/10/17 07:10hrs Binsey Walk Ix2 Burglary derelict properties. Crime Prevention Motor vehicle crime • Don't leave items on show it is an invitation • Keys and ignition fobs should kept safe and out of sight and reach – the most common ways to steal a car or van is to take the keys or ignition fob, either when left in the vehicle or from your home through burglary. Try not to keep your keys in an obvious place such as the hallway or kitchen. • Fit an alarm or immobiliser if your vehicle does not have one.  Consider using a gear stick lock".

The end video this week is a short interview with Jane Murphy of Bexley Brewery. Please feel free to leave a comment below, or Email me at hugh.neal@gmail.com.