Two residents' associations working together across Beckenham on your behalf
Author: Copers Cope Area Residents' Association (CCARA)
Residents Association covering central and northern Beckenham. Founded in 1939 to protect and promote the interests of residents in matters of local concern
Bromley Trading Standards is reminding residents to continue to be alert to deceiving calls, messages, emails, or letters taking advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The NHS and Action Fraud have warned that criminals are pretending to be from the NHS to steal money, financial details, and personal information. The NHS has confirmed that it will never ask for payment or any financial details nor issue fines or penalties relating to your NHS Covid Pass.
If you have you recently used health services at Bromley Urgent Treatment Centres? Please complete NHS South East London CCG’s short survey and tell them about your experience. Your views will be used to improve our services. Deadline 6 February.
Bromley Council are proposing a school street on the unmade part of Westgate Rd for St Mary’s primary. During school drop off and pick up the road will be closed other than for residents. Fine our more here:
Bromley Council is working with Healthy Dialogues on a pharmaceutical needs assessment (PNA) which looks at the health needs of the people who live in your area.
They want to know about your experiences and views around your local pharmacy, and how you may be currently using the service. This will help to inform potential decisions on future pharmacy services, or considerations for changes and improvements at your current pharmacy.
We are aware that gas supplies to around 300 properties in the Worsley Bridge Road area of Beckenham have been affected as a result of water entering our network. Our engineers are on site and have worked with Thames Water to establish the cause. Work to repair one of our pipes will take place today. At this time, it’s difficult to estimate exactly how long it will take to restore supplies.
For anyone elderly, disabled, chronically sick or have young children or other special needs, we have portable electric appliances available for cooking and heating. These can be obtained by calling our 24-hour Customer Service team on 0800 912 1717.
Our website will be updated with further information here.
Below an overview of available clinics during the festive season. Please note additional clinics might be added. BOOKING IS ENCOURAGED. WALK-INS AVAILABLE DEPENDING ON CAPACITY.
27 and 28 December
Bromley Civic Centre – Book on NBS or walk-in (last admission 5.30pm)
29 December
Bromley Civic Centre – Book on NBS or walk-in (last admission 5.30pm)
London Lane Clinic – Book on 020 8175 8607 or walk-in. 9-4.30pm
30 December
Bromley Civic Centre – Book on NBS or walk-in (last admission at 5.30pm)
London Lane Clinic – Book on 020 8175 8607 or walk-in. 9-4.30pm
Oaks Park Medical Centre – Book on 020 8175 0473 or walk-in. 9.30-5pm
31 December
London Lane Clinic – Book on 020 8175 8607 or walk-in. 9-12pm
3 January onwards
Bromley Civic Centre – Book on NBS or walk-in before 5.30pm
Bromley health and care staff are urging residents to take good care of themselves this winter and seek medical help early when they need it. The Bromley winter health leaflet provides some top tips for staying well and where to go when you need help
Bromley Football Club, Hayes Lane, BR2 9EF is hosting a one-day Pfizer vaccination event on Sunday 19 December between 10am and 4pm. Free lateral flow kits will also be available on the day.
What: Pfizer vaccine – First, second dose and boosters.
Who: All 18 years+ welcome plus those eligible for boosters
Officers from Copers Cope Beckenham organizing another Police Surgery. When : Wednesday 8th December 2021, Where: Costa coffee Beckenham high street. Time : 15:00 Hours. Why we will be there? Because, we will be available to give out crime prevention information especially in the lead up to Christmas where traditionally we see a rise in burglaries. We also have information and also advice you on how to keep safe when out and about.
Residents may have noticed the bright wooden menorah (or chanukiah) standing at Thornton’s Corner. It is for the celebration of Chanukah, the Jewish festival of light. Each evening an additional lamp is lit, building to all eight glowing on the eighth night. Happy Chanukah Beckenham.
Pharmacies are services that typically affect everybody and spaces almost all of us engage with so Bromley Council is working in partnership with Healthy Dialogues in writing a Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment (PNA) that looks at the health needs of people who live in our area.
Part of this PNA will consider finding more out about your experiences and views around your local pharmacy and how you may be currently using them. Responses you provide to the Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, Public Survey will help inform potential decisions on future pharmacy services or considerations for changes and improvements at your current pharmacy.
Your input is invaluable in helping to shape the future of pharmacy services in your local area so you are invited to give your views on this research by visiting this link to thePharmaceutical Needs Assessment survey. Your answers will in no way affect the service you receive from your pharmacy and you will not be identified in any reporting.
The survey is open until 13 December 2021 and participation takes less than 10 minutes.
Bromley Trading Standards have received a transcript of a scam call:
“My name is Detective Constable ———. I am based at ————– London Police Station. We have a young person in custody by the name of —– ——. She has a number of forged credit cards in her possession. Your name is on one of them. An amount has been withdrawn from an account, possibly yours. My Police ID is — —-. The Crime Reference is CR———“.
Crucially, the scammer adds “You need to phone the number on your bank card to get the bank to make sure that nothing has gone”, “Would you like me to do it? I can transfer you?”.
How you can protect yourself: • Don’t reveal any personal details. • Hang Up. • Call the actual organisation(s) yourself directly to check, if you are unsure. Don’t rely on information provided by the caller, and use another phone, or if you can’t wait a good while, as the scammer(s) may still be on the line.
Report it: Protect others by reporting incidents. If you or anyone you know have been affected by fraud or any scam report it to Action Fraud by calling 0300 123 2040 or visiting http://www.actionfraud.police.uk If you have given out your bank details, contact your bank as soon as possible. You can also visit http://www.Bromley.gov.uk/scams
Our Association has partnered with Bromley Living Streets to undertake a Local Travel Survey (some residents may have received a leaflet) to better understand local travel habits, preferences and challenges in Beckenham. Our Association often receives correspondence on these issues and we are keen to hear more views.
Please find the survey link below if you would like to take part.
Bromley Council is undertaking a survey on the ‘experimental’ Albemarle Rd Cycle Scheme and its decision to close Westgate Road Bridge to two-way traffic.
We encourage all local people to complete the survey. This scheme remains controversial and our Association regularly receives concerns about is impact and effectiveness, along with suggestions for improvement.
The survey is short and asks just 5 questions about the scheme. Please complete it here by 12 November 2021.
Bromley Council is undertaking a survey on the ‘experimental’ Albemarle Rd Cycle Scheme and its decision to close Westgate Road Bridge to two-way traffic.
We encourage all local people to complete the survey. This scheme remains controversial and our Association regularly receives concerns about is impact and effectiveness, along with suggestions for improvement.
The survey is short and asks just 5 questions about the scheme. Please complete it here by 12 November 2021.
Bromley Council’s Open Space Strategy Engagement Session will take place on the 7th October from 6pm to 7:30pm. We encourage all residents with a interest in our parks and green spaces to take part.
Our Association called for many improvements including increased accessibility (toilets, lighting, disabled access), no reduction in spending, no disposal of open spaces, increased amenities in parks, better management of events (read our full response here). You can read the much improved Councils revised strategy (that doesn’t not refer to disposal of green spaces) here.
Imposters are tricking people into divulging personal and sensitive information or parting with cash and high value items.
Some examples of cold calls include claiming to be a:
➢ Police Officer – victims are told to withdraw a sum of money or purchase high value items such as jewellery, watches and gold. Someone is sent to their home to collect it. They are often told to keep their involvement in the ‘Police investigation’ secret.
➢ Bank official – victims are convinced to transfer money to a ‘secure’ bank account (which is operated by the criminal)
➢ Citizens Advice representative – offering to help people with accident claims and debt problems. A Bromley resident was contacted and asked for by name and offered help with debts against her.
➢ Large/well known organisation – advising of a problem on the victims account or confirming whether a fictitious purchase has been made by the victim
Protect yourself, your family & friends:
✓ HANG UP if you receive a cold call – wait 5 minutes then contact the organisation to check whether the call was legitimate. Use a trusted number from a letter or Contact details on their website or on the back of your bank card. Do NOT rely on anything provided by the cold caller.
✓ Keep your personal information to yourself – never confirm or provide your details during a call
Knowing you name and address does NOT mean that the caller is genuine and works for the organisation they claim to be from
Banks, Police or other ‘law enforcement’ agencies will never ask for your PIN, bank card, or ask you to withdraw money or buy items on their behalf.
If you would like to receive Trading Standards Alert! direct to your inbox please visit http://www.bromley.gov.uk/scams and complete the online form.
If you think you have been targeted by a scam:
➢ Contact your bank as soon as possible
➢ Contact the organisation you believed were contacting you
➢ Tell someone you trust so they can help you to get the help you need
➢ Call Citizens Advice for advice and guidance 0808 223 1133
Copers Cope Area Residents' Association (CCARA) & West Beckenham Residents' Association (WBRA) 