Report on Connaught Mews.

Rubbish piles up above and around the community bins. This sight three days before street collection by which time the situation will be much worse and will include local fly-tip.

The silver bin was purchased by the EIBP from from Redbridge Council.  It was meant to be used by residents of the flats using the alleyway, but serves a much wider number of users, unfortunately. We had intended to reduce black bag mess.

This peace mural was designed by local children and painted on the walls of Clementswood Community Centre at the opening of Connaught Mews alleyway.  The work was commissioned and co-ordinated by the EIBP.

The gates to the alleyway were installed by the EIBP in 2007 (then called East Ilford Business Partnership).  They have been vandalised and now no longer lock.  

The Lamp Post was installed in 2004 after a long campaign by the EIBP.  One of our first achievements.

 

The local mosque has a rear entry accessed via the opening to the alleyway.  They assist EIBP with occasional clearances of the area. 

We have no idea what these pillars are for?

A small area of litter despite a community clear up on Friday.

Some sand and broken glass has been left in the alleyway.

Broken glass is a common theme.

During a street clean we placed these bits of card together so we can place them by the recycling bins by Thursday.

Graffiti covers the wall at the rear of  the alleyway.  A place for drug dealing and usage.

More graffiti.

Even more.

We had cleared the fly-tip on Friday but it has already returned.  We hope a more regular monthly or eventual weekly clearance will deter perpetrators simply as our presence will be felt.

More litter.

More graffiti

Yes even more graffiti.

We hope to remove this litter and to stop the increase of local pests, including rats which are commonly seen.

In 2009 we successfully challenged the council to introduce these recycling bins.  They include a in bin for paper, mixed glass and plastics.

A zoom into the plaque for the gates we installed.  We are now called the East Ilford Betterment Partnership, after numbers of residents started to exceed the number of Businesses memberships in our group.  The original group was initiated by Redbridge council who desired a group to link, businesses and residents to statutory and non-statutory services.

In 2011 our challenge to Redbridge Council for the extension of the Controlled Drinking zone to include various hotspots across the borough and no just the town centre, was successful.  Backing from the Police helped and we also secured several Alcohol Free Zone signs including this one just outside our alleyway.

World War 1 remembered by children of Redbridge 100 years on!

Children donned their spray masks after a series of talks on World War one and lessons in spray art.

Excited children prepared to undertake the spray art work.

Safety first! Gloves and masks were worn by all participants.

Matt Ryan sprayed a backrond with fields and a few flowers.

He reminded children of how to use the spray cans safely.

Caps were placed on the spray cans to make ready for use.

Children asked some last questions before starting.

The first children took up the challenge.

Help was provided where necessary.

Matt corrected any blatent mistakes.

Spraying took place outside for safety.

Others waited inside for their turn.

Children waited eagerly for their turn.

A one week intensive classrooon session involving historical talks and art designing led to the final design for the board.

This is the background that Matt prepared for children.

Children celebrated the culmination of their work.

Children of different diversities shared fun together.

Boys picked each other up and helped each other all day.  The girls too!

A child corrected her ideas for the main mural on the A406.

A child showed off the design of her tag.

The board remembered World War 1 - one hundred years on.

Children felt that the poppy wreathes highlighted the futility of war.

A simple design with a strong message.

The background again.

"ready to go!" This young one said.

All the children got on really well with one another.

I am not messing with this one!

Local bogus caller advice surgery highlights need for better vigilance.

PCSO Heidi advises an elderly resident on how to avoid Distraction Theft.

Local Police and Trading Standards officers joined forces to advise local residents of Clementswood and Mayfield, how to protect themselves from "bogus callers" and distraction theft.

The meeting was held at the East Ilford Betterment Partnership's "Mayfield and Clementswood Community Centre, from 7pm - 8pm on Tuesday 10th March.

The meeting was opened by local Green Party Activist Wilson Chowdhry the organiser of the event.  He described a number of scams that had seen local residents lose 1000's of pounds. He then invited Adrian Simpson of the Redbridge Trading Standards Team to provide advice to local residents.

Mr Simpson, Described the different operations undertaken by Trading Standards Officers:

• Tackling Distraction Burglary
• Assisting Police with arrests.
• Financial Investigations
• Seizing Assets
• Tackling Doorstep Callers

He explained that in recent months increased visits were being undertaken with the police to check on work being undertaken by builder, to ensure they are working legitimately.

Adrian Simpson passed around his ID badge and emblem badge holder so that local residents could see it first hand and not be fooled by forgeries,  He explained that men impersonating Trading Standards Officers were conducting fraud scams.  He explained that there are no occasions when a Trading Standards officer would visit someones home and ask them for money.

Mr Simpson said;

"If someone calling at your door has no appointment, they should be given no entry!"

He also warned that victims can become repeat victims after a first scam.  It was known for false Police men, trading standards officers and other authorities to appear at the door.

Trading standards had approached all local banks asking them to undertake further checks of large cash withdrawals especially those made by vulnerable customers, after a spate of these crimes.  Unfortunately only 15 banks agreed to undertake further checks, despite significant prompting by the Trading Standards Team.  MR Simpson has agreed to share the list of banks that have not agreed the extra security measures so that we can petition the banks to make the necessary changes.

Mr Simpson advised residents of the types of scams to avoid:

• Roofing scams - where a builder tells you there is a loose tile on your roof.
• Driveway scams 
• Bogus telephone calls form Microsoft & PPI Companies.
• Emails from Applestore and your Bank Manager - often seeking personal details.
• Emails describing false deceased inheritances or lottery scams.
• Bogus Callers asking for work calling your home and them asking you to call 101 to verify with police that their work is through the Government.  The callers do not place their phone down so when you call back your line is still engaged with the previous caller.
• False Income Tax rebate emails
• Mattresses being sold from the back of vans - generally poor Chinese imports that are death traps.

If you wish to report a bogus caller or to make a complaint about any goods or services that you have purchased please contact the Citizens Advice consumer service who will refer the matter to Trading Standards. They can be contacted on 08454 04 05 06 or by email at: trading.standards@redbridge.gov.uk

If you are experiencing excessive sales calls you can sign up to the "Telephone Preference Service" which should reduce the calls.

Their website for further information is www.tps.org.uk

Heidi Coupe-Wilson form Mayfield Neighbourhood Police Team spoke of the need for better vigilance against crime of this nature.  She referred to Distraction Theft and Bogus Callers as Artifice Burglary.

Heidi said;

"It is imperative that residents decline the offer of work at the door.  Avoid any cultural niceties and be more firm with theses types of callers."

Local viictim Leonard Smith described the drainage scam that saw him lose £5000 three weeks ago.  He bravely answered questions in an attempt to save others from a similar fate.  He was applauded for his courage.

Danny O'Brien from Anti-Knife UK spoke on knife crime and how to trace it within the family.  He spoke of the tell tell signs and the fact that largely it is not a crime that is undertaken by minors.  

At the end of the meeting several crime concerns were raised including:

• A brothel at 74 Gordon Road.
• Antisocial Behaviour at 39 Gordon Road

Local Residents continued to ask for advice after the meeting.

Young and old listened to way to avoid being scammed.

Danny O'Brien (Anti-knife UK), Wilson Chowdhry, Adrian Simpson Senior (Trading Standards Officer), PSCO Heidi Coupe-Wilson.

Adrian Simpson and PCSO Heidi.

Local Police shared advice with local residents.

Timely advice is sure to prevent scams.