Street Party 2019 - make a note of the date!

Save the date - don't make any other plans!

 7th September 2019 – THE ATA SUMMER STREET PARTY

• 1pm 'til 6pm, Ashburnham Retreat Play Street
• Live Music, Food, Entertainment & of course superb raffle prizes
• Sponsored by Felicity J Lord – Greenwich

We are looking for volunteers that would be happy to have a promotion board outside their house to promote the event. If you are happy to have one please contact ChrisWard, Ata.chairperson@gmail.com

We are also looking for volunteers to make and donate a cake on the day. If you are a budding Bake Off fan please contact Anastasia Graham-Yooll, Anastasia.hgy@gmail.com

See you on the 7th!

Charity Bingo Night is back at The Ashburnham Arms

Bogus Tree Surgeons

We have been notified by the Council that there has been a spate of rogue tree surgeons operating in the Triangle and surrounding area’s who have taken some works to trees without the benefit of planning permission, by posing as qualified tree surgeons offering to cut down or provide maintenance to garden trees in exchange for cash (at highly inflated levels). False addresses, mobile numbers and websites have been used on materials provided and vehicles used.
The Triangle is protected by a Conservation Area designation in addition, some trees (including trees located in private gardens) may be subject to a Tree Preservation Order (TPO) – which protects specific trees, groups of trees or woodlands in the interests of amenity. The Council must be notified six weeks in advance of intended works to a tree located within a Conservation Area or covered by a TPO unless a specific exemption applies (such as where a tree poses a risk to the public). To cut down, uproot or destroy a tree covered by a TPO or within a Conservation Area, or to authorise such an action to take place, is considered an offence under the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. Rogue tree surgeons are therefore leaving landowners potentially liable to criminal prosecution.
More information can be found on the Council’s website on the following link: https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/info/200193/planning_applications_and_permissions/8/works_to_trees
It's strongly recommended NOT to use the services of any cold callers claiming to be tree surgeons or any other trades – we are aware that one elderly resident (not from the Triangle) was forcibly taken to the bank to get money for works. Please only use recommended trades people known to neighbours, friends or relatives or do get in touch with the ATA’s planning team at ata.planningteam@gmail.com.
If you do see works being carried to trees which may not have planning consent to be pruned/felled please contact the planning enforcement team on 020 8921 5559 or planning-enforcement@royalgreenwich.gov.uk. Work to trees will often require careful consideration by an experienced Arboriculturalist or a person who is practiced in assessing the health of trees and their appropriate management. Tree works should also ideally be undertaken outside of the bird nesting season (March – October) to prevent destruction of eggs and harm to birds protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Safer Neighbourhoods July Update

We welcome Sergeant Iain O’Hara to the Safer Neighbourhoods Team who joined on 2nd June. Iain has been with the Metropolitan Police for over 19 years and specifically requested to join a Safer Neighbourhood Team in his next role. We look forward to building on our close relationship with the SNT Team.

The rest of the Safer Neighbourhood Team remains unchanged:

Police Constable John Moody

Police Constable Jaime Welch - currently on maternity leave but returning 24th August

PCSO Henry Lawton

Outside the Triangle

There has been numerous reports of bag and phone snatching near the Cutty Sark boat. Police advise not to walk and talk on your phone around this area and to be vigilant of your surroundings if you do need to make/take a call. 

There are new beggars within the Town Centre. Please note that many of these beggars are known to police and are not actually homeless.  Police advise NOT to give money to anyone begging.

Drug dealing and drug taking at Point Hill is on the increase. Recently teenagers were approached asking if they would like to buy drugs and when they declined a knife was pulled out on them. The teenagers got away without injury.

At the end of June there was a robbery down Bardsley Lane. The victim was stabbed in the head and his vehicle (Land Rover) was stolen. Bardsley Lane is behind Tesco Metro and the back entrance of St.Alfege Church Park. The robbery took place at 11pm. The victim has been treated for his injuries. The car has not been recovered.

There was another attempted robbery approx 2 weeks ago along Gloucester Circus at 2am. A man and woman approached a man on his way home from a night out asking him for the time. As they came closer they pulled a knife and demanded his wallet. The victim went to get his wallet out and then ran. Fortunately for him there was a passing police car. The police chased the criminals, caught them and secured the knife and charged them. Proof that police on our streets does catch criminals!

Within the Triangle

16 July at 2:45pm a lady was mugged along Devonshire Drive by two young black males on a black moped. They pretended to ask for directions and once they had the ladies attention snatched her bag.

Over the last two months burglary figures continue to decrease with hardly any reports within The Triangle. Outbuildings (sheds/garages) have been the main target recently. Motor vehicle crime within the Triangle is also down but there is still too many reports of thefs from cars. Please DO NOT LEAVE ANYTHING ON DISPLAY.

Local Councillors have contacted the demolition company working along Norman Road (Opp North Pole) as many vehicles have been seen to park in the emergency access bay along Egerton Drive. The company has been warned to cease parking here.

Nitrous Oxide Canisters

Local Councillors are looking into how we can ban the use of Nitrous Oxide canisters within the borough of Greenwich. The small silver cannisters (supposed to be used for whipping cream but are used for a legal high when inhaled), have been creating a littering hazard for many years now.  The London Borough of Lambeth has successfully banned these annoying canisters and hopefully Greenwich can follow. Watch this space.

The police are aware of a man dealing drugs outside Davy’s Wine bar and are currently monitoring the situation.

Drug dealing and the use of drug taking is increasing at an alarming rate. Often residents say they see dealers and users, especially outside or near the North Pole.

If you see drug dealing, and in order to help the police can you….

- Take a picture (if safe to do so)

- Note the time and date

- Forward to your ATA Rep or the safer neighbourhood police team

Trading Standard has issued three alerts recently.  See below and attached.

• Beware of Bogus Council officials
• Drivers targeted with fake fines
• Scam BT calls

Tina Pugh

ATA Security / Police Liaison

Mugging in Devonshire Drive

Yesterday, Tuesday 16th July, at approx 2:45pm a lady had her handbag/phone snatched from two young black males, possible Somalian appearance on a black moped along Devonshire Drive. The moped riders used the false pretence of asking for directions and then snatch bag/phone and drove off at high speed. A local resident witnessed the mugging and reported the crime to a passing police car.

Do you have cameras in Devonshire Drive and captured any video footage we can forward to the police?  

Please be extra vigilant. Bag and phone snatching is particularly prevalent in the Town Centre at this time of year, often on mopeds, but seeing it happen within the Triangle is very worrying.

Tina Pugh

ATA Security / Police Liaison

2019 ATA Street Party - save the date!

It’s back on a Saturday! This year’s summer street party is on Saturday, September 7th, starting at 1pm.

History Group update

Notes from the June meeting of our History group can be read here.

Information on writing contributions to Layers of London can be found here.

Greenwich blue bin collection

Greenwich council has tweeted that some streets did not have their recycling bins collected on Monday due to “operational difficulties”. Residents are asked to leave blue lid bins out on Tuesday, July 2nd for emptying.