Minutes:
Cllr Bernards explained that Forest Hill library is in the final stages of becoming a community run library. The transfer period should begin in the third
week of October 2016.
They have a set up a crowd funding page where you can donate and/ or find out useful local information: http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/forest-hill-library-launch-fund?tk=f873bb3114be7cc4f4640bcaae18d70ed1016a35
You can also find out information by visiting, FHLibrary.co.uk
Crime Stats for the last three (3) months;
Burglary
There has been no increase in number of reported residential burglaries over the past three months, though there has been a slight increase in the number of non-residential burglaries for the same period. On this note could I ask people to ensure their sheds and garages are secured with approved locks. These offences are sporadic in nature and recently, have affected some of the roads leading off of Devonshire Road. If anyone needs any advice on suitable locks or crime prevention in general, can they contact us and this can be arranged.
Robbery
There has been a very slight increase in the number of reported robbery incidents (2 offences) within Forest Hill over the last three months.
Violence against the person
The number of reported crimes involving violence over the last three months is noticeably down compared to the previous reporting period.
Theft of motor vehicle
The team have done a lot of work around this subject with covert and uniformed patrol's as well as regular crime alerts on this subject. Good news is the number of reported crimes are significantly down compared to the previous reporting period, roughly equating to a 64% reduction.
Theft from motor vehicle
Again the number of reported offences are again significantly down and more so in this case than the previous theft of Motor Vehicle subject at roughly an 81% reduction.
Theft person
Unfortunately, there has been a slight increase in the number of reported offences compared to the previous reporting period.
Criminal damage
Again, a slight increase in the number of reported allegations made to police compared to the previous reporting period.
Total notifiable offences
This subject pertains to every crime type and allegation made to police concerning Forest Hill. I am happy to say that the numbers of allegations made to police is down by a little over 9% compared to the previous reporting period.
Elliott Bank and inconsiderate parking of vehicles during school drop of and pick up time.
I have to be clear on the subject of parking. This is an offence that the police have no jurisdiction over unless a vehicle is causing an unnecessary obstruction, parked in a dangerous position or preventing someone from leaving their drive. With regards to Thorpewood, the team have patrolled Elliott Bank on a number of occasions and yes, several parents were found to be parking inconsiderately and duly moved on. Inconsiderate parking outside schools is an issue that affects most schools in Lewisham and indeed London. Although we cannot be in Thorpewood outside the school on a daily basis, we have been in contact with parking services and they have had their CCTV/Camera car stationed in this road as well as parking enforcement officers.
Millennium Gardens and Town Centre
We have received several complaints from local residents living near to Millennium Gardens over anti-social behaviour and suspected drugs activity in the green to complaints of begging in the Town Centre. We have been doing a lot of work around these subjects and have identified two persons being responsible, we believe for the ASB in both locations. These individuals are a couple and are known to us. We conduct daily patrols within these locations and have engaged with them on a number of occasions both in Millennium Gardens and the Town Centre and have dealt with them appropriately as the situation has dictated at the time.
We have started an ongoing problem solving process over these issues and are evidencing each encounter we have with these individuals. We are also liaising with colleagues from the councils' Crime Enforcement and Regulation Service to see what they can do to assist. In the case of begging and the complaints we have received, I have requested statements from those involved but to date have received no responses. Can you please ask those attending, should they be approached or harassed for money in the town centre, please make contact with us at Forest Hill and provide a statement so we can deal with this issue. These statements would allow us at the very least, to deal with them effectively. If we witness any instances of begging we will arrest those responsible. That said, when in uniform, those begging, see us coming a mile off and dispose of any evidence which is why these statements are important..
Regarding the ASB and drug taking in Millennium Gardens, if found committing offences, those involved could be dealt with in much the same way as previously stated for those begging. We can then deal with either issue a number of ways within the Crime and Policing Act 2014 and more importantly, prevent repeat incidents from occurring in future.
Parking on Dartmouth Road
We are aware of issues around inconsiderate parking on Dartmouth Road, in particular the stretch of road nearest the town centre and the inconvenience this causes to other motorists, buses and recently an ambulance on a call. We are also aware that some of the lines prohibiting parking along this road are at places faded or broken. I have contacted the highways department at Lewisham Council asking they inspect the lines and re-paint where appropriate and task a traffic enforcement officer to observe vehicles parking illegally and issue tickets to those offenders whether they be private vehicles or those used in line with a business interest.
As you may or may not be aware, we are tasked every three months by our ward panel, the members being representatives of the Forest Hill Community, to deal with specific problems affecting the community. The panel sits at the end of October and we will be discussing these and other matters at that meeting.
If you would like to contact the Forest Hill SNT email ForestHill.SNT@met.police.uk
or call 020 8721 2723