Minutes:
PC Michael Hill ,the designated ward officer for Forest Hill told the meeting that they are no longer classed as Safer Neighbourhood Teams and that they are now referred to as Local Police Teams (LPT) under the Local Policing Module (LPM). Under the Local Policing Module there is actually an increase in the number of officers as there is a pool of officers from the LPT that can work in this cluster. The coverage is also better as there are officers on duty from 7am to 11pm Monday to Friday and up to 2am on Saturday night. The number of officers within the Local Police Team will actually increase over the next few months as new officers have been recruited.
PC Hill stated that the ward priorities, as set by the Local Police Team Inspector, are burglary, anti social behaviour and drug related offences. The ward promises set by the ward panel are burglary, anti social behaviour and motor vehicle crime. Burglary is around 40% down this month and motor vehicle crime is around the same as last year. Overall, the number of recordable offences is down upon last year. PC Hill told the meeting that he has received complaints around street drinking outside Paddy Power and that as a result of this there have been some warnings and dispersal orders issued.
There is an issue within the borough at present regarding thefts of catalytic converters as these contain some quite expensive metals. There are marker kits for these, but in order to avoid this happening make sure that you do not part park on the pavement and that you have all four wheels on the road, this makes the Converter harder to steal.
Sydenham Police Station – PC Hill confirmed that this is now closed, however, the LPT do have to be out patrolling for 80% of their shift time, they are now based at 128 Catford Hill. If people wish to speak to the police there are now contact points 3 times a week, these take place on Wednesday and Thursdays night either at the Sainsbury’s on Bell Green or at Catford Hill Police Station between 7pm and 8pm, there is also one between 2pm and 3pm on Saturday. You can report crimes at these contact points, deposit lost property, provide information and get some general police related advice.
Q I have heard that people are now jamming the signals of mobile car locking devices, for example when you press the button to lock the car it is not actually locking.
A Yes this is particularly prominent with BMW’s so you need to check that the car is locked, this is prominent with the high end modern BMWs.
Q Do you still do drop in surgeries at Forest Hill Library?
A Yes the next one is on the 19th March, if you look at our website you can get all the details
Q I have heard of 2 incidents on London Road within the past 2 weeks relating to disturbances can you tell us more?
A There was an incident involving some school children and there were 4 arrests, this investigation is still ongoing, but I cannot talk too much about this at present.
Cllr Feakes – Several people have raised with me issues of aggressive behaviour centring around parking spaces particularly near Forest Hill Pools with motorists blocking residents driveways. If this happens what should residents do?
A If someone is aggressive then please call us and take their vehicle registration numbers. We cannot take enforcement against motorists parking on driveways and it is the same with dropped curbs unless there is a clear obstruction