INFORMATION ABOUT LEAVING THE EU
from Lewisham Citizens Advice Bureau:
The UK public has voted to leave the EU. This means it’s likely that some laws will change in the future – but not immediately.
Everything will stay the same until new laws are made.
If you’re an EU citizen living in the UK, your rights to live, work or get benefits won’t change unless the Government passes new laws.
If you’re a UK citizen living in the EU or travelling to the EU, your rights won’t change yet either.You don’t need to take any action now.
Changes to the law will be announced before they happen, so you’ll have time to prepare if you’re affected.
If you think you’ve been discriminated against since the referendum, for example if you’ve been unfairly refused work or housing, or told your rights have changed, contact Lewisham Citizens Advice Bureau. (Source: Lewisham council press release.)
FIRST SCHOOL-BACKED PLAY STREET BEGINS IN CROYDON
Over 100 children have launched the first school-backed scheme where the council temporarily closes roads so young people can play safely.
Last year, residents from areas including Selhurst and Woodside began their own Play Street schemes so children could play games and ride scooters on roads closed with council permission.
On Friday, around 100 pupils from The Robert Fitzroy Academy, Davidson Primary, parents, residents and children from neighbouring streets turned Brampton Road into their own Play Street from 3-5pm, with games equipment provided by charity London Play.
Set up by parent Sarah McCalden, neighbours were informed about the Brampton Road event in advance by leaflet with help from national charity Playing Out, and the council arranged a road closure and diversion to limit the impact on local traffic.
Sarah says that a follow-up is planned for 15 September, and hopes it will become a monthly event. She said: “It was just amazing; I was so happy that everybody took part. Parents were there, children were playing and teachers came out and marshalled the road for us. There was such a community spirit.”
Croydon’s cabinet member for transport and the environment Cllr Stuart King said: “Play Streets have gone from strength to strength in just a few months, and this council will continue to provide support and practical help so even more schemes like Brampton Road get off the ground.”
If you are interested in holding your own Play Street event, contact the council on [email protected] or call 020 8726 6400 ext. 63371.
For more information, please visit: www.croydon.gov.uk/healthsocial/families/ccfpartnership/playstreets (Source: Croydon council press release)
TRADING STANDARDS SCAM WARNING
In the run up to National Scam Month in July, Bromley Trading Standards are alerting residents following a number of scams reported this week.
Trading Standards are reminding residents that scams can take place in many different ways, both by ‘cold calling’ either over the telephone or in person on the doorstep. The scam will always appear credible and plausible and the official advice is to treat all approaches with extreme caution.
Trading Standards are reminding residents to:
be suspicious
never deal on the doorstep
never be pressured into making quick decisions
never give personal or bank details to anyone
The three scams which have come to the attention of the Trading Standards team in the last week alone are:
Bromley residents receiving telephone calls from a company claiming to be working with Bromley Council and offering to assist with previous accidents or insurance claims. One 90 year old resident received repeated calls from the company, calling themselves Accident Investigation Service, telling him he had been awarded £3,000 in compensation for an accident in the borough and that he would have to pay £200 in cash in order to claim it.
A Bromley resident paying thousands of pounds for bogus property repairs. The consumer, an older female, was ‘cold called’ by two men claiming to be working on the property next door and who told her there were significant damp problems in the loft. She was asked to pay several thousand pounds for the hire of essential equipment in order that ‘emergency repairs’ could be conducted. She was later told the work was no longer necessary and she would be refunded, but in order to do so a further payment would be required for financial regulations. Trading Standards were alerted to the incident when the resident went to her bank to make further cash withdrawals.
A tree company persuading an 80 year old male in Petts Wood to part with money for gardening work. An initial payment of £400 was made and the gang were due to return the following day to collect a further £1,100. The family of the resident alerted Trading Standards who attended and confronted the gang, who then ran off. They were driving a lorry with the words “Local Tree Services”.
All of these incidents are currently being investigated and if witnesses do have information which could help, they should contact the Council’s Trading Standards team.
“Quite often, someone has been successful throughout their adult life and naturally thinks that they are sufficiently aware not to be taken in. But our experience shows that it is all too easy for anyone to be fooled by these highly plausible people. We want to protect Bromley residents and we would advise residents not to feel intimidated and most probably to politely refuse whatever deal is being offered. Do remember that help is at hand, with our Trading Standards team or the Police able to respond if needed” said Councillor Kate Lymer, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Safety.
Concerned residents can also report suspicious activity in their area by calling the Trading Standards rapid response number 07903 852090. (Source: Bromley council press release)
