Ashburnham Triangle Association

At the request of area residents and our Neighbourhood Safety Officer, PC Andrew Nash, I am writing to promote the police's new Met Engage platform which enables residents to stay in touch with local officers and to report crimes more easily. One resident recently experienced the theft of an expensive package from the lower front garden area of their home, though fortunately their Ring camera snapped the thief and ultimately police were able to catch him (he pleaded guilty last week and will be sentenced in September).  This resident initally found it challenging to get in touch with the right police team working their case (a problem I had two years ago in relation to a harassment matter). PC Nash's recommendation is that AT residents to sign up to Met Engage - noting that the more people who join, the more effective the platform becomes. Having signed up myself, the platform allows you to create settings that alert you to news, area developments, specific types of crime, cha...

The Greenwich West Safer Neighbourhoods Panel met in person on Thursday 7th July. Below is a summary of that meeting. Within the Triangle  Motor vehicle crime There has been an increase in the theft of vehicles in the past two months and theft from vehicles. Prevention is key. Robberies are brazen and not necessarily always in the middle of the night. Think about where your keys are kept. For keyless cars, consider a Faraday pouch (keeping keys in the microwave will do the same job) Visible deterrents better than nothing – cars are stolen to order or high-end cars are targeted Thieves are more likely to steal cars which do not have deterrents. Videos of individuals trying car doors etc are not always identifiable, but the more information the police have the better and they may be able to identify specific clothing or look for patterns of crime. It may be a good idea to keep glove compartment open to show it is empty, stickers are available from Amazon to say nothing of value is le...

The Greenwich West Safer Neighbourhoods Panel met by conference call on Tuesday 1st September. Below is a summary of that meeting: Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) The Council has a key role to play in making Royal Greenwich a safe place to live, visit and work, and tackling anti-social behaviour continues to be a high priority. Public Spaces Protection Orders (PSPOs) were introduced under the Anti-social Behaviour and Policing Act 2014, to ensure public spaces are areas that are free from anti-social behaviour. PSPOs provide the Council with a wide-range of flexible powers to help tackle anti-social behaviour locally. The Royal Borough of Greenwich, supported by the local police, proposes to replace its existing PSPOs with new orders which aim to tackle a wider range of anti-social issues that are impacting local communities. Some of these new orders include: • Prohibiting alcohol-related ASB in public spaces. • Prohibiting ASB, either individually or with others, in any public...

Are you passionate about your community?  Do you want to help improve the standard of living in the area and help devise strategies to address any concerns? Then this could be the role for you…. Ashburnham Triangle are looking for a new Police Liaison / Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator.  Ashburnham Triangle Neighbourhood Watch aims to help people protect themselves and their properties and to reduce the fear of crime by means of improved home security, greater vigilance, accurate reporting of suspicious incidents and fostering a community spirit as well as tackling new forms of crime such as cybercrime. You will be the lead point of contact for the Triangle liasing with our Safer Neighbourhood Police and attending bi-monthly meetings with local police, councillors and other neighbourhood watch co-ordinators within Greenwich West. Interested?  email: ata.secureteam@gmail.com

S ince the re-opening of pubs on 4 July, we have received numerous complaints from residents regarding anti-social behaviour and the lack of social distancing being observed at the North Pole in Greenwich High Road. The North Pole have now installed new signage to manage social distancing and are also operating a new system to manage the flow of people leaving by allowing those who have ordered cabs to wait inside which should help to prevent disturbing residents close by. However, due to the recent evidence submitted by local residents of said anti-social behaviour and the lack of social distancing at the North Pole, the Licensing Team and Commercial Environmental Health Team are leading an investigation. They have asked if you witness any further disturbances from this establishment can you please forward evidence (photo / video footage) and submit it to the following email: health@royalgreenwich.gov.uk   and quote reference number SR63457 . Please also continue to cc any email...

L ast week the Safer Neighbourhoods Panel met via telephone conference to discuss Greenwich West. Here is a summary of that call: Within the Triangle As reported on the last update, there have been numerous reports of drug dealing and using within some of the blocks of flats in Devonshire Drive, notably Plymouth House. Police have identified a possible suspect and patrols in this area have increased. CID are still investigating the incident which occurred on 19th June along Devonshire Drive where a male was taken in his own car against his will - see post dated 21 June .  A full report will be available once CID have completed their investigation. There have been various reports of two different fraudsters going door to door within the Triangle. Please can you warn any vulnerable neighbours who may not see this report to not open the door and engage with unknown individuals and NEVER hand over money to unknown individuals. Both fraudsters prey on the elderly a...

With lockdown restrictions eased last weekend we unfortunately had to witness some bad behaviour within the Triangle from non residents visiting the North Pole bar along Greenwich High Road and D’Luxx in Blackheath Road. Complaints were received of large groups inhaling nitrous oxide gas and also arguments which led to a fight. Cars were also driven at speed up and down Ashburnham Place at approx 1.30am on Sunday 5th July. Local residents also witnessed loud music and social distancing generally not being adhered to at the North Pole and D’Luxx bars. In order to deal with bad behaviour I am looking for residents help. If you witness any issues of crime, disorder or anti-social behaviour call 999 for an emergency, i.e., if the issue is currently in progress, otherwise contact 101 and report what you have seen. For issues with noise, please contact the Council’s noise team and ask for the noise to be witnessed – 020 8921 8921. Please also take photo’s or video clips — if safe to do so...

On Friday 19th June at approx 11pm there was an incident on Devonshire Drive outside Barnstable House. A 70 year old man was taken in his own car and driven against his will. Three males were demanding money from him and managed to obtain £100. The victim sustained cigarette burns to his arms and other bruises. He managed to escape and a passing motorist called the police. CID Lewisham are dealing with this crime and our Safer Neighbourhood Team are also assisting with enquiries. If you were in the area and saw anything unusual please contact our Safer Neighbourhood Team. Tina Pugh ATA Security / Police Liaison Email: ata.secureteam@gmail.com Emergency dial 999 Non Emergency dial 101 Greenwich Safer Neighbourhood Team: 020 8284 5494 (not 24 hour) Email: westgreenwich.snt@met.police.uk

Neighbourhood Watch Week,  7th - 13th June 2020  We’ve seen a surge in neighbourliness as people look out for the vulnerable and talk to those next door more than ever before - a silver lining to the cloud COVID-19 has cast over our daily lives. We think now is a good time to say thank you and celebrate those actions our neighbours have taken no matter how small or big. There are many ways to join in: T ake part in the  Big Virtual Lunch .  Organised by Eden Project, on the 6th and 7th June, the Big Virtual Lunch have put together ideas of  small things you can do  to celebrate community connections with your neighbours such as:  making your own bunting  and hanging it out for all to see, putting together a lunch for someone or a small food parcel and leave it on a doorstep, joining in with The Big Lunch from your doorstep,  hosting a Big Virtual Lunch online  from the comfort of your own home, or hosting a  Big ...

Earlier this week the Safer Neighbourhoods Panel had a telephone conference call to discuss Greenwich West. Here is a summary of that call: Within the Triangle Over the last 6 - 12 months there have been numerous reports of drug dealing within some of the blocks of flats in Devonshire drive. Together with residents help the police believe they know who the dealer is and have now identified most of the users. They are currently collating evidence. Antisocial behaviour was reported prior to the lockdown involving the North Pole Pub and mopeds using the pavement via Norman Road. No more incidents more recently. In fact the only real crime still being committed within the Triangle is theft from or theft of motor vehicles. There has been an alarming rise in theft of items from parked cars. When questioned by police amazingly some of these cars were not locked. Even during a pandemic there are opportunist thieves and if you leave your car unlocked then anything of value insi...

It has come to our attention that some residents within the Triangle are having their energy suppliers - Gas, Telephone, Electric etc - switched without their consent. One particular resident is continually having these problems and this matter has now been referred to the police as it is believed to be a malicious act by causing continuous inconvenience. However, most cases are in error; perhaps a new resident gave incorrect address details. Please do be careful when switching energy suppliers that you do give correct information. Otherwise it can take hours of unnecessary calls to energy suppliers to rectify the procedure. Also vulnerable and elderly occuplants can become very confused when energy supplies are switched without their consent.  Here is what you should do if you receive an unexpected final bill or welcome letter from a new energy supplier.  Why is this happening? This could happen if: a supplier made a mistake, for example by confusing your...

  Law enforcement, government and private sectors partners are working together to encourage members of the public to be more vigilant against fraud, particularly about sharing their financial and personal information, as criminals seek to capitalise on the Covid-19 pandemic. Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations (e.g. your bank or HMRC) and the police. STOP Taking a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information could keep you safe CHALLENGE Could it be fake? It’s ok to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you. PROTECT Contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud. Social Engineering Social Engineering is defined as “The clever manipulation of the natural human tendency to trust.” It’s easier to trick you into opening an infected email than it is to hack into your account. Due to this, social engin...

The Met Police have provided a special reporting page to report any non-emergency incidents - see below link to a reporting page. For all emergencies continue to call 999. Met Police - how to report non emergency crime during Covid-19 The police have also asked us to highlight a rise in commercial burglary crime and a rise in Domestic Abuse with injury during this pandemic. Neighbourhood Watch Network has teamed up with Women's Aid - see below link for more info.  Neighbourhood Watch Network Women's Aid Appeal There has also been an uptake on doorstep scammers pretending to be volunteers. If you arrange a volunteer make sure you know what time they are due and create a password for ease of identification.  Cancer Research has also asked us to share some important information. If you or a member of your family is currently living with cancer you need to take extra precautions during this time. Cancer Research has made a web guide containing the latest inf...

If life wasn't difficult enough scammers are taking advantage of the Covid-19 crisis. We're hearing growing reports of a range of new scams you need to watch out for. Don’t believe bogus text messages saying you’ve been fined for stepping outside during the coronavirus lockdown. It is the latest in a series of scams related to the virus that claims to be from the UK Government. This scam claims that your movements have been monitored through your phone, and that you must pay a fine or face a more severe penalty. Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI) advises that ‘Anyone who receives this text should ignore it. It is simply another ruse to steal the payment details of users.  Bogus message from the UK Government Other bogus messages currently being circulated are: HMRC goodwill payment. The MET police are warning of a fake message designed to steal your account details that says ‘As part of the NHS promise to battle the COV-19 virus, HMRC has issued...