Catalytic Converter Thefts Plague Bromley Borough

Copers Cope Safer Neighbourhood advise that Bromley Borough has been hit with a large number of catalytic converter thefts. The main vehicles that have been identified are Ford Galaxys, VW Sharans and Seat Alhambra. This however doesn’t mean they wont target others.

Due to the high value of the precious metals contained in a vehicles exhaust system, thieves are stealing catalytic converters. A catalytic converter could cost over £1000 to replace. It is easier for a thief to slide underneath a vehicle with a high ground clearance. Other vehicles commonly targeted include Mercedes Sprinters/Ford Rangers/Mitsubishi vans/4x4s. It takes a thief less than 2 minutes to unscrew the securing bolts or cut the exhaust and remove a converter.

Crime Prevention advice

  • Where possible, park your vehicle in a locked garage. Engrave/etch the converter – having stickers on a vehicle warning that the converter is security marked deters thieves as they will not want to take something that is harder to sell on and easier for police to trace.
  • Invest in a lock – have a specially devised catalytic converter lock professionally fitted. Most garages can advise you on these locks.
  • Weld converter bolts – you could have your mechanic weld them on. The main drawback is that it will be more difficult for you to remove and will be more expensive.
  • Install motion sensor lighting – this comes on when it is dark if there is any movement around your vehicle/premises.
  • Park your vehicles defensively – if you own multiple vehicles use those with the lowest ground clearance to block those with a higher clearance. If all your vehicles have a high clearance park them very close together.

Please be vigilant in your neighbourhood and report any suspicious activity straight away to your local neighbourhood team on 101 or if you believe a crime is in progress call 999. If you would like to pass on information but wish to remain anonymous then call Crimestoppers on 0800-500-111

SGCO The Harmonious & Humorous Horn Concert – 7.45pm Sat 30 Nov 2013, St George’s Church

The Harmonious & Humorous Horn – Saturday 30th November 2013 7.45pm

  • Martin Owen – Horn Player
  • Le Chevalier de Saint-George Symphony in D
  • Haydn Symphony no.44 in E minor ‘Trauer’
  • Mozart Symphony no.15 in G K124
  • Mozart Horn Concerto no.4 in Eb K495 with Martin Owen.

Book in advance from The Beckenham Bookshop and St. George’s Church Office (Monday to Friday until 3.30pm). Best seats will be reserved for pre-concert sales. Tickets also available on-line at http://www.stgeorgesbeckenham.co.ukand on the door.

St. George’s Church is on the corner of High Street and Bromley Road Beckenham BR3 1AX.

Carers Rights Day 29 Nov 2013 – Information to help carers know their rights and get support.

INFORMATION EVENT TO HELP CARERS IN THE BOROUGH KNOW THEIR RIGHTS AND GET SUPPORT

Thousands of people looking after sick or disabled relatives at home may be missing out on vital benefits and support.

The 14th annual National Carers Rights Day organised by Carers UK will take place on Friday 29th November 2013. The theme this year is “rights, advice, support”. A carer is someone who, without payment, provides help and support to a partner, child, parent, relative, friend or neighbour who could not manage otherwise owing to physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.

To promote this year’s campaign, Carers Bromley has organised a drop-in information event on 29th November from 10am to 2pm at the Verrall Hall, Bromley United Reformed Church, Widmore Road, Bromley BR1 1RY. All unpaid carers are invited to drop in, meet other carers and enjoy a free coffee and cake.

Carers Support Advisers will be on hand to offer you support, information and guidance regarding your caring role. In addition, representatives from a number of partner organisations (including Wellers Solicitors, the Department for Works and Pensions, Oxleas NHS Trust, Bromley Healthcare, plus many more!) will also be available to provide you with information and answer your queries.

There will be a a free raffle where you will have the opportunity to win some fantastic prizes, such as free one week gym and swim passes with Bromley MyTime, a free acupuncture session worth £45, plus more!

To view the flyer for this event, please use this link:
Carers Rights Day Flyer

For more information, please contact our Respite Manager, Graham Skingley on 01689 888963 or email graham.skingley@carersbromley.org.uk.

Along the Ravensbourne Walk, Beckenham Place Park, 10 am Sat 23 Nov 2013

Saturday 23rd November ALONG THE RAVENSBOURNE
Meet 10.00am at Crab Hill entrance, near Ravensbourne rail station.

About The Friends Events. All 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 a parent or guardian. Dogs are welcome, if kept under control. Walk leaders always carry water and a mobile phone.

Find our more at the link below.

Friends of Beckenham Place Park

 
Thursday 5thDecember THE MINCE PIE TRAIL
Meet on mansion steps 1.30pm. A short walk around the park with a
mince pie and a soft drink to keep the cold at bay.

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 a parent or guardian. Dogs are
welcome, if kept under control. Walk leaders always carry water and a mobile phone

Building, roof and gutter repair scam warning

Trading Standards are asking residents to look out for itinerant traders who are cold calling residents offering roof and guttering repairs. There are believed to be up to four cases of bogus building scams involving elderly consumers. In each case the victim was persuaded to hand over large sums of cash for supposed deposits for the hire of equipment allegedly needed to continue with the repairs. The equipment has been described as dehumidifiers, specialist equipment to support roof joists and chimney supports. None of the work was necessary. The equipment does not exist.

The descriptions are vague other than they are white males, in some cases with Irish and south London accents. On one occasion one of the men was described as being very big, around 18 stones. On three occasions a white van was used and the men were wearing high viz waistcoats. In two cases scaffolding was erected to give the impression work was being carried out.

Trading Standards and Police are investigating the links between these offences but in the meantime if you spot any neighbours having any work done which was not planned, or you just want us to check them out then please call the trading standards rapid response number 07903 852 090.

Planning application to demolish 6 Manor Way and build 2 houses.

A planning application to demolish 6 Manor Way Beckenham BR3 3LJ and build 2 modern detached houses has been lodged.  Details can be found on Bromley Councils website at the link below:

6 Manor Way Beckenham BR3 3LJ

Any residents who wish to comment on the planning application may do so by email to planning@bromley.gov.uk (Reference: 13/02534/FULL1). Please ensure you quote the reference and provide your full name and address including your post code. Failure to provide these details will mean your comments will not be not accepted.

2 Beckenham Bus Routes in Most Crowded Top 10

The London Assembly’s Transport Committee recently published a report on highlighting how the Mayor and Transport for London’s proposals to increase capacity on the buses risk being seriously outpaced by rapid population growth. The report listed London’s top 10 most crowded bus routes. Beckenham’s 358 and 162 make the list, along with 2 more in the borough, Penge to London 176 and Bromley to Eltham 208. 4 out of 10 of London’s most crowded buses are in the London Borough of Bromley.

At our joint public meeting with West Beckenham Residents’ Association last week, we raised this with our London Assembly Rep James Cleverley. James said he would take this up with the Mayors Office when the bus routes contracts are renegotiated as this is the time changes can be made. We will keep you updated.

You can read the full report at the link below.

Bus Services in London October 2013

32 Church Avenue, Beckenham – Appeal lodged against refused application

A proposal to erect a detached two storey four bedroom house with associated car parking and replacement garage for No. 30 at land rear of 32 Church Avenue was refused by Bromley Council, details at the following link.

32 Church Avenue

There are fears that ‘backland’ development behind the houses on Church Road could change the scope of the high density development planned for the Rear of 86 to 94 High Street Beckenham and also set an unwelcome precedent for backland development in residential roads. 

Any residents who wish to comment on the appeal must do so by 25 November 2013. The appeal reference number is APP/G5180/A/13/2204226. Comments may be sent by email to TeamP7@pins.gsi.gov.uk, you must ensure that you provide your full name and address including your post code. Failure to provide these details will mean your comments will not be not accepted.

Beckenham’s Annual Remembrance Day Service – Sunday 10th November 2013

Beckenham Annual Remembrance Service and Parade will be held at Beckenham War Memorial on Sunday 10th November 2013 at 10.50 am.

The Parade will form up at 10.15 am in St George’s Road (adjacent to St George’s Church), to move off at 10.25 am to the War Memorial via Albemarle Road and Beckenham High Street to form up on the road around the Beckenham War Memorial roundabout. Following the Service, the Parade will re-form and march off to proceed to St George’s Road via the High Street, The Drive and Church Avenue, for the march past in Bromley Road outside St George’s Church and dispersal by the Mayoral Representative in St George’s Road Beckenham.

Police message – Warning of increase in doorstep crime over the last week

The Police have recorded an increase in doorstep crime over the last week. There have been incidents of residents being approached by cold callers offering to clean out guttering, repair/maintain roofing etc, resulting in inflated prices being charged, and occasionally the resident has felt intimidated into agreeing further work.

With the bad weather over the last couple of days, there may be opportunist cold callers offering to sweep up leaves, take away trees, etc and the official advice is not to accept offers of help from callers, unless they are known to you. Also be reminded that the council will always have ID, and drive liveried vehicles.

There have also been victims of telephone fraud in the borough, where the resident has been pursuaded to give over their pin numbers, and handed their credit/debit cards to persons impersonating Police officers.

The Police will NEVER ask for your credit/card details, either on the ‘phone or in person.

If you are unsure who the caller is, engage your security door chain before you open the door. If you see anyone suspicious, and it is happening now, please ring 999, if you have recently had suspicious activity in your road, then please report it to ring 101.

TONIGHT – Residents’ Forum and Open Meeting – 8pm Weds 30 Oct 2013 Beckenham Public Halls

Our Association is holding a joint open meeting with the West Beckenham Residents’ Association. Between our associations we cover the whole of Beckenham and so have invited a panel of councillors from every ward to take your questions. James Cleverly our London Assembly Member will also be on the panel.

Come along and direct your concerns to the panel. Join us from 7.45pm, at the Beckenham Public Halls, Bromley Road, Beckenham.

We look forward to seeing you there.

2013 Beckenham Residents Meeting

Cafe applies for Alcohol Licence and extended hours

A licensing application has been lodged for Raggios Cafe 42A High Street Beckenham BR3 1AY to sell alcohol onsite till 11pm and play recorded music.

Further information can be found online on the Council’s website at the link below.

https://searchapplications.bromley.gov.uk/onlineapplications/licencingApplicationDetails.do?activeTab=summary&keyVal=MV0W39BT0D700

Have your say – Residents’ Forum and Open Meeting – 8pm Weds 30 Oct 2013 Beckenham Public Halls

Our Association is holding a joint Open Meeting with the West Beckenham Residents’ Association. Between our associations we cover the whole of Beckenham and so have invited a panel of councillors from every Ward to take your questions. James Cleverly our London Assembly Member will also be on the panel.

Come along and direct your concerns to the panel. Join us from 7.45pm, at the Beckenham Public Halls, Bromley Road, Beckenham. 

We look forward to seeing you there.

2013 Beckenham Residents Meeting

Junction Road Improvements (High Street & Southend Road)

Residents will be pleased to know a scheme to improve the junction at High Street, Southend Road, Albemarle Road and Rectory Road has been approved by the Council and will be funded by TfL.

The reworking of the junction will give HGVs a larger turning space when turning from Rectory Road over the Bridge to stop them mounting the pavement (making is safer for pedestrians) and getting stuck in the junction (making it safer for pedestrians to cross and avoiding traffic congestion). Currently the design does not widen the pavement outside the Locksmiths which is too narrow, although the bollards and dumbbells will be removed. We raised the blind corner by the Locksmiths with the Council and also whether the pavement will be levelled and resurfaced along this stretch. They have agreed to look at this in the final detailed design, but noted the more the pavement is widened the less space for HGV turning.  We will keep you updated.

The report and design can be viewed at the links below.

Map of Junction Improvements

Report on Junction Improvements