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

Copers Cope Police Newsletter March 2016

Hello and thank you for reading this months Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) newsletter.

The team details and ward map along with other useful information can be accessed at http://content.met.police.uk/Team/Bromley/CopersCope

Your team includes

  • PS 12py Steve King, Sergeant
    PC 128py Steve Allen, Dedicated Ward Officer ( DWO )
  • PCSO 7256py Julie Oldfield, Dedicated Ward Officer ( DWO )

Street Surgery

Our next surgeries are on the following date:

  • Wednesday 23rd March 2016 between 2.00 p.m & 3.00 p.m at Waitrose Southend Road

Come and talk to your local Officers and discuss your concerns and for crime prevention information.

Crime

Our ward priorities are:

  • Burglary
  • Motor vehicle crime
  • Robbery – personal property

Our promises are:

  • ASB related to alcohol
  • Shoplifting
  • Traffic

February burglary and motor vehicle crimes

Unfortunately there has been 6 burglaries of a dwelling and 6 garage / shed burglaries non dwelling during the month of February. The majority have occurred in Flats in the area surrounding Copers Cope Road.

There has also been 4 reported thefts from motor vehicles. The majority of these crimes have been work vans or delivery vehicles where tools or parcels have been stolen.

We also had 3 criminal damage to vehicles these offences took place in Albemarle Road on the same evening. The suspect involved was seen by a resident and was soon arrested by local officers.

 

 

 

Beware of Dippers

The Copers Cope team have been visiting shops making staff and security guards aware that dipping offences have been taking place in the High Street and asking the stores to put up posters advising shoppers to keep their bags close to them and not left unattended on trolleys etc.

-It only takes a moment for a suspect to remove a purse or a wallet from an unattended bag.

-Please be aware of people around you, particularly if they are walking by you in close contact.

-Suspects often work in teams and may use distraction techniques to get to your property.

If you need police for an urgent matter where you are in danger or fear always dial 999. If you wish to see a police officer for a non emergency matter, then please dial 101

Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team Telephone 0208 721 2772
E-Mail Coperscope.snt@met.police.uk

Public Consultation – Academy School on Balmoral Avenue – 6.45pm 9 Mar 2016, at St George’s Church Hall, Beckenham

Find out more and have your say about the plans for a new secondary school on Balmoral Avenue. 

E21C  the trust behind the school are running the public meeting at 6.45pm 9th March at St George’s Church Hall on Albermarle Road. This meeting will be the first stage of the consultation process for the planned Beckenham Academy. 

More info can be found at:

Beckenham Place Park proposals get stage 1 approval – local public consultation dates in Beckenham.

Lewisham Council has secured a Round 1 pass from the Heritage Lottery Fund’s (HLF) Parks for People programme.  The Mayor of London has approved the HLF bid and the public golf course will close at some point.

Draft proposals for the restoration and regeneration of the park and buildings have been developed and The Council would like to hear your views about these plans. The comments received will be used to inform the next stages of planning the project.

The plans will be available at a series of exhibitions and events over the coming weeks. The events will be staffed by members of the project team who will be on hand to explain the proposals and to answer any questions you may have.

The programme of exhibitions is shown below.

  • Saturday 5 March 2016, 11.00 am – 3.00 pm, Sainsburys forecourt Beckenham High Street, Beckenham 
  • Wednesday 9 March 2016, 1.00 pm – 6.00 pm, 14 -15 Catford Broadway (Opposite Costa Coffee), Catford
  • Sunday 13 March 2016, 2.00 pm – 4.00 pm, Beckenham Place Park Mansion House Visitor Centre.
  • Monday 14 March 2016, 9.00 am – 11.30 am, The Green Man, 355 Bromley Road.
  • Monday 14 March 2016, 12 noon – 4.00 pm, Bellingham High Street (Shop next to the Post Office),14 Randlesdown Road.
  • Thursday 17 March 2016, 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm and; 7.00 pm – 8.30 pm, Evangelical Church Hall, Cromwell Road, Beckenham.
  • Monday 21 March 2016, 6.00 pm – 9.00 pm,The Green Man,355 Bromley Road.
  • Saturday 26 March 2016, 11.00 am – 3.00 pm, Beckenham Place Park Mansion.

These exhibitions are being run as drop in sessions, with the same plans and surveys available at each session. You do not need to confirm your attendance and these sessions are all open to the public. Therefore please pick a date, time and venue that is most convenient for you.

Further public consultation will be carried out later in Summer 2016 prior to the submission of the final proposals to the Heritage Lottery Fund.

Enquiries about the project should be directed to  Alison Taylor, Project Manager, Lewisham Council by email bpp@lewisham.gov.uk or on 0208 314 8758.

 

Copers Cope Police Newsletter February 2016

Hello and thank you for reading this months Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) newsletter.

The team details and ward map along with other useful information can be accessed at http://content.met.police.uk/Team/Bromley/CopersCope

Your team includes

  • PS 12py Steve King, Sergeant
    PC 128py Steve Allen, Dedicated Ward Officer ( DWO )
  • PCSO 7256py Julie Oldfield, Dedicated Ward Officer ( DWO )

Street Surgery

Our next surgeries are on the following dates:

  • Friday 26th February 2016 between 4.00 p.m & 5.00 p.m at Waitrose Southend Road
  • Wednesday 23rd March 2016 between 2.00 p.m & 3.00 p.m at Waitrose Southend Road

Come and talk to your local Officers and discuss your concerns and for crime prevention information.

MetTrace

The Met have come up with an operation called MetTrace an initiative to help residents make their homes more secure by providing smartwater forensic marking equipment. The equipment allows residents to mark valuable property such as jewellery, mobile phones, electrical items and bikes.

The plan is 1 in 7 London homes will have been visited and introduced to MetTrace by 2018 with a planned 440,000 kits to be distributed over the three year project. 100% conviction rate if found with stolen SmartWatered property. Each kit is unique to your home. Bromley Police have a team currently visiting homes across the borough and hopefully will be in the Beckenham area in the future.

Crime

Our ward priorities are:

  • Burglary
  • Motor vehicle crime
  • Robbery – personal property

Our promises are:

  • ASB related to alcohol
  • Shoplifting
  • Traffic

January burglary and motor vehicle crimes

Unfortunately there had been several burglaries in the Beckenham area during the month of January this includes residential and non residential offences the worst affected areas for residential burglary has been in the Foxgrove Road area where there has been three reported offences.

There had also been a few thefts from motor vehicles in January with two offences occurring in Downs Hill Road.

On the 9th January the Copers Cope safer neighbourhood team conducted a warrant at an address in Beckenham where a resident was arrested for procession of drugs.

On the 15th January the Copers Cope safer neighbourhood team conducted another warrant this time in an address in Penge where two residents were arrested for procession with intent to supply. One of the residents tried to discard of some of their items by throwing them out of a rear window, unfortunately for them this was spotted by yours truly!

 

 

Pedal Cycles

We have had a few reported offences of pedal cycles being stolen from bike sheds. Some of these offences have occurred in communal bike sheds attached to flats. Please be aware and if possible look into any security improvements.

Please remember to lock your bikes and consider getting it security etched and registered.

The Bromley Safer Transport Team will be holding cycle marking events on the following dates:

4th February 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 11th February 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 18th February 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 25th February 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 3rd March 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 10th March 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 17th March 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 24th March 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station 31st March 5.00 pm till 6.00 pm Bromley South Railway Station

Up and coming events are advertised on:

http://www.met.police.uk/teams/transportse/bromley/

Further crime prevention information is available from http://www.met.police.uk/bromley and follow the link to Crime Prevention.

Neighbourhood Watch

Copers Cope ward would like to have a neighbourhood watch co-ordinator(s) on every street. If you know of anyone who wishes to take part please find information on http://www.bnwa.co.uk/

If you know anyone who has set up a neighbourhood watch please can you send me their e-mail address so I can send them our monthly news letter.

Panel Members

We are looking for local residents to join our ward panel. There are 4 meetings a year and panel members help decide on the wards promises and discuss local issues.

If you would like to have your say on how your local community is policed please contact us for details.

Local Information

If there is any information you would like to share with the Copers Cope safer neighbourhood team and residents of Beckenham in relation to crime then please e-mail us using the address on the bottom of this letter.

Thank you for your time reading this letter, if we can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us and we will get back to you as soon as possible and we will be more than happy to help.

If you need police for an urgent matter where you are in danger or fear always dial 999. If you wish to see a police officer for a non emergency matter, then please dial 101

Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team Telephone 0208 721 2772
E-Mail Coperscope.snt@met.police.uk

Bogus Charity Collections for TackleAfrica

It has come to the charity’s attention that some groups of young people have been approaching members of the public ​​for cash donations in TackleAfrica’s name on​ Bromley​ streets and doorsteps. These people are not​ ​representing TackleAfrica and money they raise does not go to the charity.

The charity TackleAfrica trains African coaches to use fun, interactive football drills with the young people in their clubs and communities. The charity does this because many young people in Africa love football, but their location and their age means they’re most at risk of contracting HIV.

Please note that TackleAfrica never advises or condones public, street or doorstep cash-collecting from fundraisers taking part in Football Marathons or other TackleAfrica events/fundraising activity.

Cash-collecting from the public is a licensable activity, and the charity would never advise or condone that young people approach strangers for sponsorship for ethical and safety reasons.

If you are approached in this way, please report the activity through the Action Fraud website: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or helpline 0300 123 2040, inform your local police or community support officer, or call the police non-emergency number 101.

If you have concerns or would like more information please contact info@tackleafrica.org.

Volunteers needed for Food Bank at Holy Trinity Church Lennards Road Beckenham/Penge

Volunteers needed for Food Bank at Holy Trinity Church Lennards Road Beckenham/Penge. The Food Bank is held 3 times per week, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday and more volunteers are needed. The commitment would not be for all those times, once a month would be helpful. If you would like to join you can sign up via the website, http://www.livingwell.life , where you can also see what else they do. Donations of food and basic toiletries are needed, the Food Bank relies totally on donations.

Paving samples for Beckenham High Street outside Zizzi’s

As part of the TfL public realm improvement project the paving in the High Street will be upgraded. The current plan is to have cobble style paving at Kelsey square and different paving along the rest of the High Street.

The Council have laid a sample of  the main paving for  High Street outside Zizzi’s for local comment.  A board giving more information about the paving is due to go up soon. Please send your feedback to beckenhamimprovements@bromley.gov.uk and copy us in at chairman@coperscope.org.uk. Or by mail to: Regeneration and Transformation, Strategy and Renewal, Room P49, Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley BR1 3UH

Scam Alert – cold call from company claiming to help people with arthritis and other medical conditions

The Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team have been made aware of elderly local residents receiving a phone call from a company claiming to help people who suffer from arthritis and other medical conditions.

The company then goes on to say that a representative works locally out of Beckenham hospital, a Mr Bell, checks have been made and it appears that there is no Mr Bell at Beckenham hospital. This company then attempts to arrange an appointment at the residents address.

If you receive or know of anyone who has received a call similar to this please contact us.

Call 0208 721 2772
Email coperscope.snt@met.police.uk http://www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods In an emergency always dial 999

Beckenham keeps Town Centre Manager for 12 months longer

Local pressure has prevailed and Beckenham will retain its Town Centre Manager (TCM) for 12 months longer. Beckenham and Penge were set to lose their Town Centre Managers at the end of March,  see our previous post.

The Beckenham Town Centre Team and Penge Town Centre Teams turned up in force at the Renewal and Recreation PDS Committee on Tuesday 26 January 2016 where the fate of the remaining Town Centre Manager for the whole borough was to be decided. Representatives from our Copers Cope Area Residents’ Association, West Beckenham Residents’ Association, Beckenham Business Association and the Penge Town team sat in the public gallery. Having previously written to all the Councillors on the committee as well as all local councillors we were pleased that the points we raised were put forward.

The committee was split, however there was enough support from three Councillors (Cllrs Auld, Michaels, & Wilkins) in agreement with us that a Town Centre Manager (TCM) must be retained during the feasibility and planning for a Business Improvement District (BID) and any transition period to a successful BID. Cllr Wilkins counter proposed for the TCM to be retained for 12 months, this proposal was carried and we are pleased to announce that subsequently the portfolio holder has agreed to retain the TCM for 12 months and find alternative funding for an officer to take the BID forward. The decision can viewed at the link below.

R&R Town Centre Management Decision

We would like to thank Cllrs Auld, Michaels, and Wilkins, make special mention of Cllr Brooks from Penge and Cator who made an in person representation to the committee on behalf of both Penge and Beckenham and Cllr Morgan the portfolio holder.

12 months is most definitely an improvement on the previous proposal of no TCM, however we would have preferred a commitment to keep the TCM in place until day one of the BID as happened in both Orpington and Bromley. We will continue to monitor the progress of the BID and TfL public realm improvements. If in 12 months time neither have progressed we may well need to lobby to retain our TCM for longer.

Open mic poetry evening at the Beckenham Bookshop – 6.30pm Tues 1 Mar 2016

There is to be an open mic poetry evening at the Beckenham Bookshop. It will be open to all ages and styles, with no preference given to who reads first, or last. The first event of “Beck’ Beat” starts at 6.30pm, Tuesday 1 March 2016 and will be wrapped up by 8pm, with each performer, perhaps you(?), enjoying 5 mins airtime, at the most.

www.facebook.com/beckbeatpoetry

Beck Beat Poster

Council propose enforcement for long untidy land adjacent to 39 Southend Road

At the Plans Sub Committee meeting on  Thursday 4 February 2016 Council Officers will be requesting permission to undertake enforcement action on the untidy land adjacent to 39 Southend Road, Beckenham BR3 1 TR. This will be welcome news to local people that signed a petition to get the site cleaned up.  More information can be found at:

UNTIDY SITE – LAND ADJ 39 SOUTHEND ROAD, BECKENHAM, BR2 1SP

News from Bethlam Hospital Beckenham

As you may be aware, the trust was recently inspected by the Care Quality Commission and achieved an overall ‘good’ rating with some services rated as ‘outstanding’. More than 100 inspectors visited our services and judged them to be “safe, effective, caring, responsive and well led”. The full report can be found here: http://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/RV5 if you would like to read it.

 Also, last year, we opened the Bethlem Gallery and Museum. A new space open to the public and free of charge where visitors can view centuries of significant historic artworks and objects together with inspiring contemporary works by current artists and service users.  Since the space opened, we’ve welcomed many visitors and I hope that you will consider going along . More information here: http://www.slam.nhs.uk/about-us/art-and-history/bethlem-gallery-and-museum

You may remember that in May 2014 our documentary series Bedlam was awarded a BAFTA television award. Since then, we have been working with Channel 4 and Rare Day (a production company) on a project looking at forensic mental health. We recently started filming at River House, Bethlem Royal Hospital. This will not be a second series of Bedlam, we hope to achieve the same outcomes in terms of successfully breaking down widely-held prejudices surrounding mental illness. The aim is to give members of the public a better understanding of what forensic mental health really means, seen through the eyes of the patients and the staff who care for them. At the moment we don’t have a name or broadcast date for the series, but we will be in touch when we know more.

You can contact the Media Team at South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust which runs Bethlam by email  communications@slam.nhs.uk for further information.

 

Best wishes

Sarah

 

Sarah Crack

Head of communications and media

South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust

Bromley Council CUT support to Beckenham Town Centre – comments by 17.00 Tues 26 Jan 2016

  1. Bromley Council propose to stop providing all support to Town Centres by removing Town Centre Manager (TCM) posts, including the TCM for Beckenham and Penge.  Bromley hope to implement a Business Improvement District (BID) where businesses pay a levy and manage their own Town Centre affairs in Beckenham and Penge as they have done in Bromley and Orpington. Usually BIDS are implemented whilst maintaining TCM support to ensure a seamless transition from Council support to the BID (this is how the Council implemented the BIDs in Bromley and Orpington). For Beckenham and Penge there will be no TCM for 18 months to 2 years until a BID is implemented and there is absolutely no guarantee Beckenham and Penge businesses will agree to a BID. We could end up with no TCM, no BID and a run down town centre. The Council are doing this at a time when Beckenham is just about to embark on its most significant public realm improvement in 30 years. The Beckenham TCM has played an integral part in the TfL funded improvement scheme for the last 3 years and to remove the TCM post just before work commences is madness.

Read more about the proposal that goes to the Renewal and Recreation PDS Committee next Tuesday 26 January 2016.

http://cds.bromley.gov.uk/documents/s50035959/Future%20of%20Town%20Centre%20Management%20and%20BIDs%20Development%20Strategy.pdf

http://cds.bromley.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=117&MId=5385

The Beckenham Town Centre Team (chaired by the Copers Cope Area Residents Association, and including the Beckenham Business Association, Beckenham Society, West Beckenham Residents’ Association among others) and the Penge Town Team have written the following letter requesting the Renewal and Recreation PDS Committee REJECT this proposal.

“This is a joint letter to you from the Beckenham and Penge Town Centre Teams with the support of our Town Traders’ and Business associations. We are writing to you because we believe that the changes proposed in Agenda Item 7d will be harmful to our town centres and in particular will make it more difficult for you to reach the agreed Council policy on Town Centre Development.

The Beckenham and Penge Town Centre Teams were formed from traders and residents to help pave the way towards the replacement of traditional Town Centre Management with BIDs, in accordance with council policy. We share and support your determination to make this process a success. However, we have been dismayed to learn that under this proposal both remaining TCM positions will be made redundant from April 2016. We have been working to your previous timetable which continued our traditional Town Centre Management for a further year. We appreciate that the replacement model of employing one dedicated BID officer on a 2 year fixed term contract will allow a greater focus on promoting the BID process but we believe that neither of our towns are currently in the position to take this forward without the expected support of a TCM.

The immediate loss of TCM risks undoing the achievements of recent years; the process of transformation will become self-defeating making the acceptance of a BID by local traders less rather than more likely. Neither of our local business associations are currently enthusiastic supporters and more direct work needs to be carried out. 

The justification for attempting to implement a BID without TCM support appears to be a belief that replacing a TCM with a dedicated BID officer will speed up the process. By changing your approach, you will in fact put the whole process in these towns at risk. History supports our contention. LBB successfully implemented BIDs in Bromley and Oprington whilst maintaining TCMs throughout the process. This is a formula that works, enabling the Council to drive through a BID and provide a seamless transition.

The scope of the proposed dedicated BID officer is unrealistic. It will not be possible for one person to successfully implement 2 BIDs (in Beckenham and Penge), be the liaison point for the existing BIDs (in Bromley and Orpington), provide phone TCM support by phone to businesses, Town Teams and other bodies (as suggested by Martin Pinnell) and manage any cross over from the Beckenham Public Realm Improvement and Penge NHB proposals. Put simply, having only one resource will not speed up the process.

The prosperity of a place is measured by its centre, whether this is a High Street or a small shopping parade. We believe the accelerated removal of all TCM support will result in lower standards. It will become more difficult to resolve issues arising from litter, commercial waste, street clutter, fly-posting, empty shops etc., and this will be detrimental to the amenity, vibrancy and prosperity of our towns. Convincing business to go into BID whilst simple issues go unresolved (as there is no TCM) will make the process more difficult and one BID officer will not have the capacity to assist.

We also question the Council’s timings. Support from traders is more likely after the current improvement schemes have been implemented rather than during a period of significant change. Our towns cannot be without TCM support during this period.

The report argues that only Beckenham and Penge have dedicated Town Centre managers implying that other places have no support. In fact, the TCMs have provided assistance for events, town initiatives, and streetscape issues in West Wickham, Chislehurst, Petts Wood and Biggin Hill amongst others. All these town centres will be disadvantaged by the proposals. Volunteers will not have the expertise nor the time to take on these responsibilities.

Town Centre Management is not just about Christmas lights, markets and town centre promotions; it is about improving local amenities for local people. Beckenham has recently been awarded the Prestigious Purple Flag for a well-managed night-time economy, having made changes that make Beckenham safer and more pleasant for revellers, businesses and local residents. It is the first place to achieve this status in the borough and one of only a handful if places in London. This aspirational achievement was product of the TCM and Town Team working together. The assessors were especially impressed by how TCM led this co-ordinated approach between council officers, police, businesses and residents associations and how well these groups worked together. It would be remiss of the Council not to support maintaining the Purple Flag whilst a BID is being set up.

The recommendation in the report asks you to support implementing BIDs in Beckenham and Penge by the withdrawal of TCM. You are being asked to make this decision before a feasibility study of the likely success of a BID in Beckenham and Penge (wholly different towns to Bromley and Orpington) has been undertaken. If this proposal goes through, the BIDs could fail simply because of lack of TCM support in the crucial build up period.

For our part, we support BIDs for our towns and want the process to be a success, To achieve this, we believe the Council should revert to the original plan to retain a TCM for a further year. Further funding is available to support the BID process and small amounts could be released from the TfL proposals for Beckenham and from the NHB proposals for Penge. Running both the TCM and BID for just one year would lead to a more positive outcome for the Council and for our towns. We call on the Scrutiny Committee to reject the officer recommendation in this report and ask for further consultation to develop a proposal which has a greater chance of success.

We hope you will consider our comments in the positive way they are intended and support our desire to make the BID process a success in both Beckenham and Penge.”

In the current climate we are concerned that all proposals to save money get the green light regardless of their chances of success. We encourage local people that are concerned about the loss to Town Centre Management support to voice their concerns asap by 17.00 Tuesday 26 January 2016 to:

  1. Your Ward Councillors
    • Clock House: Vanessa.Allen@bromley.gov.uk, Ian.Dunn@bromley.gov.uk, Sarah.Phillips@bromley.gov.uk
    • Copers Cope: Russell.Mellor@bromley.gov.uk, Michael.Tickner@bromley.gov.uk, Stephen.Wells@bromley.gov.uk
    • Kelsey and Eden Park: Alan.Collins@bromley.gov.uk, Peter.Dean@bromley.gov.uk, Diane.Smith@bromley.gov.uk
    • Penge and Cator: kathy.bance@bromley.gov.uk, Kevin.Brooks@bromley.gov.uk, Peter.Fookes@bromley.gov.uk
  2. The Renewal and Recreation Portfolio Holder and the current head of Town Centre Management: Peter.Morgan@bromley.gov.uk, Martin.Pinnell@bromley.gov.uk
  3. The Renewal and Recreation PDS Committee:  Ian.Payne@bromley.gov.uk, Michael.Rutherford@bromley.gov.uk, Douglas.Auld@bromley.gov.uk, Julian.Benington@bromley.gov.uk, Peter.Dean@bromley.gov.uk, Alexa.Michael@bromley.gov.uk, Neil.Reddin@bromley.gov.uk, Michael.Tickner@bromley.gov.uk, Angela.Wilkins@bromley.gov.uk, Anna.Begley@bromley.gov.uk
  4. Please also cc us in at chairman@coperscope.org.uk

Beckenham Place Park activities Jan to March 2016

Wednesday 27th January –  WINTER WALK

Meet 1.30pm on Mansion steps. Looking around the park to see how the, so far, mild winter is affecting the flora and fauna. Or just come along to enjoy a good walk in good company.

Sunday 28th February – HISTORY WALK
Meet 1.30 at the mansion. A short talk will proceed this walk looking at the history of the park, the mansion and its occupants.

Saturday 19th March – THREE PARKS WALK
Meet 10.00am on the mansion steps. This walk is long and takes us far from the park. Walking to Kelsey Park and then to South Norwood Country Park. The route is as rural as possible avoiding too many stretches of pavement and is never too far from 54 (and others) bus route.

CONSERVATION & SENSORY GARDEN WORKDAYS Saturdays 9th Jan, 13th Feb,12th Mar (About 2 hour sessions)
Meet at the Mansion 10.am. Sensory Garden work will be less and the January and possibly February days will be work around the park. Tools and instruction provided.

About The Friends Events. All our events are free, but any donations to funds are much appreciated. Most last about 1-2 hours, but you can join in for as long or as little as you like. It is advisable to wear stout walking shoes, as the paths do get very muddy. Walkers are individually responsible for their own safety during our events. Minors are welcome, but must be accompanied by parent or guardian. Walk leaders always carry water and mobile phone.

Bakerloo Extention Proposal Update – no immediate plans to extend to Beckenham

TfL have published an Options Assessment Report for the Bakerloo line extension that considers the feedback of the 2104 public consultation including alternative routes proposed by the public.

The upshot for Beckenham is that whilst an extending the Bakerloo to Beckenham and Hayes has not been ruled out it will not proceed in the immediate future. TfL need to work out the impact of converting the Hayes railway line into the Bakerloo and whether doing this best meets rail demands for this part of the Borough in the future and the capacity for housing/commercial development along any Bakerloo extension to Beckenham, West Wickham and Hayes to fund the extension. The latter was a significant concern for local people that were opposed to the extension.

TfL propose that phase 1 will be extending the Bakerloo from Elephant and Castle to Lewisham via the Old Kent Road. Having 2 branches to Lewisham via the Old Kent Road and via Camberwell was ruled out, however TfL are investigating the possibility of re-opening the Camberwell Thameslink Station.

You can read the  Options Assessment Report for the Bakerloo line extension  online at tfl.gov.uk/bakerloo-extension. 

Copers Cope Police Newsletter January 2016 

Wishing You All a Happy New Year

Hello and thank you for reading this months Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) newsletter. The team details and ward map along with other useful information can be accessed at http://content.met.police.uk/Team/Bromley/CopersCope

Your team includes

  • PS 12py Steve King, Sergeant
  • PC 128py Steve Allen, Dedicated Ward Officer ( DWO )
  • PCSO 7256py Julie Oldfield, Dedicated Ward Officer ( DWO )

Street Surgery

Our next surgeries are on the following dates:

  • Saturday 30th January 2016 between 11 a.m & 12.00 p.m at Waitrose Southend Road
  • Friday 26th February 2016 between 4.00 p.m & 5.00 p.m at Waitrose Southend Road

Come and talk to your local Officers and discuss your concerns and for crime prevention information.

MetTrace

The Met have come up with an operation called MetTrace an initiative to help residents make their homes more secure by providing smartwater forensic marking equipment. The equipment allows residents to mark valuable property such as jewellery, mobile phones, electrical items and bikes. The plan is 1 in 7 London homes will have been visited and introduced to MetTrace by 2018 with a planned 440,000 kits to be distributed over the three year project. 100% conviction rate if found with stolen SmartWatered property. Each kit is unique to your home. Bromley Police have a team currently visiting homes across the borough and hopefully will be in the Beckenham area in the future.

Crime

Our ward priorities are:

  • Burglary
  • Motor vehicle crime
  • Robbery – personal property

Our promises are:

  • ASB related to alcohol
  • Shoplifting
  • Traffic

December Burglary & Motor vehicle crimes

There has been an increase in garage burglaries in the month of December these offences have mainly been happening in areas where there is a communal garage areas such as flats. The majority of these crimes have occurred in the Brackley Road area.

Vehicle crime has been relatively low in December and there has been no pattern in terms of area where these crimes have been committed.

Crime Prevention Burglary

Front Door Security: Doors should be solid timber, not hollow, a minimum of 44mm thick, supported by three 100mm ( 4” ) hinges. The frame to be of sound timber, securely bolted or screwed to the walls every 600mm ( 23” ) around the whole frame.

– Fit a good automatic deadlocking latch cylinder lock a third of the way down the door.

– Fit a British Standard 3621 mortise deadlock with boxed staple a third of the way up the door ( avoiding joints in the timber ).

– Strengthen the door frame with metal reinforcement. A “ London Bar “ on the lock side and a “ Birmingham Bar “ on the hinge side.

– Fit a letterbox cowl / basket to prevent fishing for keys or access to lock handles.

Back Doors: Fit a British Standard 3621 mortise sash lock halfway up the door ( avoiding joints in the timber ).

– Fit key operated bolts to top ( max height 1.5m ( 4’ 11” ) and bottom of the door.

– Reinforce any weak door panels with either sheet metal or 9mm plywood.

Double French Doors: Fit key operated bolts to the top and bottom of each door securing it to the frame.

– Fit hinge bolts or interlocking hinges to any outward opening door.

Patio Doors: Fit patio door locks at the top and bottom of the opening section of the patio door.

– Fit an anti-lifting device to prevent the door being lifted and moved.

Window Security:

Sash Windows: Fit 2 key operated sash stops to the upper window. The maximum window opening should be 100mm ( 4” ) to allow ventilation when the house is occupied.

Casement ( Hinged ) Windows: Fit key operated locks on the opening side. If replacing windows fit those that have achieved British Standard 7950 and have laminated glass 6.4mm thick in ground floor and accessible windows.

Gardens: Secure your rear gardens by locking gates and fixing trellis to the top of fences. Trellis should support climbing plants but not climbing intruders.

Sheds: Secure your shed or ensure that tools that may prove useful for breaking in ( e.g. forks and spades ) are secured elsewhere.

Please if you can take simple steps to help prevent these offences take place, lock all windows and doors of your house even if you leave for just a few minutes. If you have an alarm please use it.

Vehicles

When you leave your car please lock it and use your alarm or immobiliser if you have one and take any valuables with you.

Mobile Phones

Please consider using the immobilise website to register your mobile phone. It only takes a couple of minutes and it’s completely free. If your phone is lost or stolen you’re much more likely to get it back and possibly help catch a thief as well. http://www.immobilise.com

Cash Point Machines

Please be aware of your surroundings if and when you use a cash point machine. Be vigilant of people near you when entering your PIN and don’t allow yourself to be distracted if some body tries to talk to you whilst you are using the cash point. If uncertain, use another machine.

Pedal Cycles

Please remember to lock your bikes and consider getting it security etched and registered. The Bromley Safer Transport Team are holding cycle marking events on the following dates:

  • 7th January at Bromley South BR Station 5.00 p.m – 7.00 p.m
  • 9th January at Halfords, Sevenoaks Way 10.00 a.m – 2.00 p.m
  • 16th January at Cadence, Anerley Hill 10.00 a.m – 2.00 p.m
  • 23rd January at Panagua Bikes, Hayes Street, Hayes 10.00 a.m – 2.00 p.m
  • 30th January at Cycles UK, High Street, Orpington 10.00 a.m – 2.00 p.m

Up and coming events are advertised on:

http://www.met.police.uk/teams/transportse/bromley/

Further crime prevention information is available from http://www.met.police.uk/bromley and follow the link to Crime Prevention.

Neighbourhood Watch

Copers Cope ward would like to have a neighbourhood watch co-ordinator(s) on every street. If you know of anyone who wishes to take part please find information on http://www.bnwa.co.uk/

If you know anyone who has set up a neighbourhood watch please can you send me their e-mail address so I can send them our monthly news letter.

Panel Members

We are looking for local residents to join our ward panel. There are 4 meetings a year and panel members help decide on the wards promises and discuss local issues.

If you would like to have your say on how your local community is policed please contact us for details.

Local Information

If there is any information you would like to share with the Copers Cope safer neighbourhood team and residents of Beckenham in relation to crime then please e-mail us using the address on the bottom of this letter.

Thank you for your time reading this letter, if we can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us and we will get back to you as soon as possible and we will be more than happy to help.

If you need police for an urgent matter where you are in danger or fear always dial 999. If you wish to see a police officer for a non emergency matter, then please dial 101

Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team

Telephone 0208 721 2772
E-Mail Coperscope.snt@met.police.uk

Langley Park Primary School Public Consultation – 7pm Thur 20 Jan 2016

You may be aware that a new free school has been proposed in Beckenham –: Langley Park Primary School. The proposal is to open a 2 form entry Primary School for 2016 on a site owned by the Langley secondary schools. This is being done through the government’s free school scheme. As a legal requirement, the directors of Langley Park Academies are now carrying out a formal consultation before the Trust signs a Funding Agreement with the Department for Education. The consultation is about whether a new school should be opened, regardless of time scales.  We wish to formally notify you of this proposal and to inform you that we have begun a formal consultation process with all the stakeholders from our local community, including yourselves. We want to ensure that you have the opportunity to express your views to us should you wish to do so. We are enclosing a copy of the letter explaining the background sent to our supporters with some information about Langley Park Primary School. Also enclosed is a short survey which can also be found on our website at www.langleyparkprimary.org.uk .

For your information, there will be an open Public Consultation Meeting on Thursday 20th January 2016 at 7.00pm at Langley Park School for Girls, when you will have the opportunity to meet Mrs Louise Turner, the Headteacher Designate, as well as members of our proposer group to discuss the project.  If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact us at parentview@langleyparkprimary.org.uk .

Copers Cope Police Newsletter December 2015

Hello and thank you for reading this months Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) newsletter.

The team details and ward map along with other useful information can be accessed at http://content.met.police.uk/Team/Bromley/CopersCope

Your team includes

  • PS 12py Steve King, Sergeant
  • PC 128py Steve Allen, Dedicated Ward Officer ( DWO )
  • PCSO 7256py Julie Oldfield, Dedicated Ward Officer ( DWO )

Street Surgery

Our next surgeries are on the following dates:

  • Friday 4th December 2015 between 5.00 p.m & 6.00 p.m at Waitrose Southend Road
  • Saturday 30th January 2016 between 11 a.m & 12.00 p.m at Waitrose Southend Road
  • Friday 26th February 2016 between 4.00 p.m & 5.00 p.m at Waitrose Southend Road

Come and talk to your local Officers and discuss your concerns and for crime prevention information.

Poppy Charity Collection Theft

A theft of a Poppy charity tin occurred on Remembrance Sunday 8th November in La Rascasse in Beckenham High Street.

CCTV was taken by myself and the suspect was quickly identified. I am now pleased to say that this person has been caught, arrested for this crime and for another similar offence and will now be spending his Christmas behind bars.

Push Chair Found on Beckenham Green

A push chair was found a few days ago on Beckenham Green and has been taken to St. George’s Church.

If you have recently lost or know someone who has lost a push chair please show this picture and hopefully we can reunite it to the owner.

The church can be contacted on 0208 663 6996 if there is no answer please leave a message .

Crime

Our ward priorities are:

  • Burglary
  • Motor vehicle crime
  • Robbery – personal property

Our promises are:

  • ASB related to alcohol
  • Shoplifting
  • Traffic

November Burglary & Motor vehicle crimes

  • There has been 2 residential burglaries
  • There has been 2 distraction burglaries
  • There has been 2 attempted residential burglaries
  • There has been 2 non residential burglaries
  • There has been 9 theft from motor vehicles
  • There has been 2 criminal damage of a motor vehicle

The Police in Bromley are still conducting operations in the worse affected areas for both burglary and motor vehicle crimes.

Crime Prevention Burglary

Front Door Security: Doors should be solid timber, not hollow, a minimum of 44mm thick, supported by three 100mm ( 4” ) hinges. The frame to be of sound timber, securely bolted or screwed to the walls every 600mm ( 23” ) around the whole frame.

– Fit a good automatic deadlocking latch cylinder lock a third of the way down the door.

– Fit a British Standard 3621 mortise deadlock with boxed staple a third of the way up the door ( avoiding joints in the timber ).

– Strengthen the door frame with metal reinforcement. A “ London Bar “ on the lock side and a “ Birmingham Bar “ on the hinge side.

– Fit a letterbox cowl / basket to prevent fishing for keys or access to lock handles.

Back Doors: Fit a British Standard 3621 mortise sash lock halfway up the door ( avoiding joints in the timber ).

– Fit key operated bolts to top ( max height 1.5m ( 4’ 11” ) and bottom of the door.

– Reinforce any weak door panels with either sheet metal or 9mm plywood.

Double French Doors: Fit key operated bolts to the top and bottom of each door securing it to the frame.

– Fit hinge bolts or interlocking hinges to any outward opening door.

Patio Doors: Fit patio door locks at the top and bottom of the opening section of the patio door.

– Fit an anti-lifting device to prevent the door being lifted and moved.

Window Security:

Sash Windows: Fit 2 key operated sash stops to the upper window. The maximum window opening should be 100mm ( 4” ) to allow ventilation when the house is occupied.

Casement ( Hinged ) Windows: Fit key operated locks on the opening side. If replacing windows fit those that have achieved British Standard 7950 and have laminated glass 6.4mm thick in ground floor and accessible windows.

Gardens: Secure your rear gardens by locking gates and fixing trellis to the top of fences. Trellis should support climbing plants but not climbing intruders.

Sheds: Secure your shed or ensure that tools that may prove useful for breaking in ( e.g. forks and spades ) are secured elsewhere.

Please if you can take simple steps to help prevent these offences take place, lock all windows and doors of your house even if you leave for just a few minutes. If you have an alarm please use it.

Vehicles

When you leave your car please lock it and use your alarm or immobiliser if you have one and take any valuables with you.

Mobile Phones

Please consider using the immobilise website to register your mobile phone. It only takes a couple of minutes and it’s completely free. If your phone is lost or stolen you’re much more likely to get it back and possibly help catch a thief as well. http://www.immobilise.com

Cash Point Machines

Please be aware of your surroundings if and when you use a cash point machine. Be vigilant of people near you when entering your PIN and don’t allow yourself to be distracted if some body tries to talk to you whilst you are using the cash point. If uncertain, use another machine.

Pedal Cycles

Please remember to lock your bikes and consider getting it security etched and registered.

The Bromley Safer Transport Team are holding cycle marking events on the following dates:

11th December 2015 at Bromley South BR Station 5.00 p.m – 7.00 p.m 7th January 2016 at Bromley South BR Station 5.00 p.m – 7.00 p.m

Up and coming events are advertised on:

http://www.met.police.uk/teams/transportse/bromley/

Further crime prevention information is available from http://www.met.police.uk/bromley and follow the link to Crime Prevention.

Neighbourhood Watch

Copers Cope ward would like to have a neighbourhood watch co-ordinator(s) on every street. If you know of anyone who wishes to take part please find information on http://www.bnwa.co.uk/

If you know anyone who has set up a neighbourhood watch please can you send me their e-mail address so I can send them our monthly news letter.

Panel Members

We are looking for local residents to join our ward panel. There are 4 meetings a year and panel members help decide on the wards promises and discuss local issues.

If you would like to have your say on how your local community is policed please contact us for details.

Local Information

If there is any information you would like to share with the Copers Cope safer neighbourhood team and residents of Beckenham in relation to crime then please e-mail us using the address on the bottom of this letter.

 

Thank you for your time reading this letter, if we can be of further assistance please do not hesitate to call or e-mail us and we will get back to you as soon as possible and we will be more than happy to help.

If you need police for an urgent matter where you are in danger or fear always dial 999. If you wish to see a police officer for a non emergency matter, then please dial 101

Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood Team Telephone 0208 721 2772
E-Mail Coperscope.snt@met.police.uk

WISHING YOU ALL A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR