Two residents who made their neighbours’ lives a misery have been issued with ASBO’s (anti-social behaviour orders) by Croydon magistrates’ court.
Croydon council’s antisocial behaviour team obtained the orders against an Upper Norwood woman and a Thornton Heath woman.
The court was told the Upper Norwood woman held 48-hour parties – with people coming and going throughout the day and night – and constantly played loud music, despite receiving several warnings.
Noise level recordings taken from her property were described by council officers as ‘appalling’.
Surrounding residents said she had caused significant harassment, alarm and distress as a result of her and her associates’ behaviour. This continued for 14 years until one brave resident decided enough was enough, took a stand, and complained to the council about the Upper Norwood woman’s behaviour.
Her neighbours, the ASB team and South Norwood SNT worked together to bring the case to court. “The evidence presented at court was so compelling that the woman did not contest the ASBO” said Croydon council in a statement.
The ASBO conditions imposed on the Upper Norwood woman mean that she must NOT:
- Engage In any behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to her neighbours, their families, friends, visitors, or any other residents living in Kitley Gardens, Upper Norwood or any location within the London borough of Croydon;
- Cause any noise nuisance anywhere in the London borough of Croydon and particularly within the vicinity of Kitley Gardens, Upper Norwood. For the avoidance of doubt noise nuisance Includes but is not limited to(a) playing loud music including loud amplified music (b) playing excessively loud music within her vehicle (c) playing her television excessively loud (d) loud singing, swearing, and shouting;
- Operate machinery in her garden which disturbs other residents including but not limited to: chainsaws (unless carrying out necessary gardening works during reasonable times of the day);
- Use threatening, insulting or racially or non-racially abusive behaviour towards her neighbours, their families, friends or visitors, or any other residents living in Kitley Gardens, Upper Norwood, or any location within the London borough of Croydon;
- Throw any items or missiles including water at any person or their property;
- Damage any property not belonging to her;
- Assault or threaten to assault any person;
- Damage or threaten to damage any neighbouring residential properties;
- Cause a nuisance by burning wood or any other material in her back garden and/or hanging items on the fence bordering any neighbouring properties;
- Cause an Intentional nuisance by knocking or using any other method of transmitting noise directly through the wall into neighbouring properties. There shall be no knocking or banging between 22:00 and 09:00 am;
- Encourage, aid or instruct anyone else to carry out the prohibitions listed above.
The court heard that the Thornton Heath woman shouted and swore at her neighbours if they parked near her house, played excessively loud music from her car late at night, and was confrontational if challenged about her behaviour. On one occasion, she was caught dumping an oily substance on another neighbour’s pathway.
She also made a number of false and malicious complaints about her neighbours to the police and Croydon council, wasting officers’ time spent in investigating them.
Her neighbours and the council’s antisocial behaviour (ASB) team worked together with Bensham Manor SNT (safer neighbourhoods team) to gather the evidence required to secure the ASBO.
The ASBO for the Thornton Heath woman means that she must not:
- engage in conduct that causes, or is likely to cause alarm, distress or harassment to any person within the London borough of Croydon;
- engage in any behaviour likely to cause harassment, alarm or distress to her neighbours or any other resident or individual of Bridport Road, Warwick Road or the surrounding area;
- force entry onto any neighbouring properties on Bridport Road, Warwick Road or the surrounding area;
- contact Croydon council’s anti-social behaviour department in an abusive or obstructive manner, to make unnecessary complaints or to advise she wishes to escalate her complaints unnecessarily to another member of staff at Croydon council;
- assault or threaten to assault any person;
- be racially abusive to any person or make sexually explicit remarks to any person;
- cause disturbance by playing loud music from any device or out of any vehicle between the hours of 21:00 and 08:00 in the area of the London borough of Croydon;
- use language or behaviour towards any person whether on the telephone or in person which would cause or be likely to cause any person harassment, alarm or distress;
- encourage, aid or instruct anyone else to carry out the prohibitions listed above.
Both orders last for five years – and both women have been warned that if they do not obey any part of their order they will be committing a further offence and may face fines of up to £5,000 or be sent to prison for up to five years.
Cllr Simon Hoar, cabinet member for community safety, said: “People should not have to live in fear, nor face constant disturbance from others who refuse to give them any consideration or respect. “The ASBOs send out a clear message that if we work together we can make a difference to Croydon’s neighbourhoods, and improve life for many people.” (Source: Croydon council press release)
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HIGH COURT GRANTS INJUNCTION TO STOP ‘CAR CRUISERS’
Car cruisers – drivers who perform manoeuvres such as wheel spins and hand brake turns – could be sent to prison if they breach an injunction granted to the council by the High Court.
The order will prevent car cruises, where motorists meet to race and perform stunts, in Imperial Way, Lysander Road and Pegasus Road, Croydon.
A Croydon council statement said: “We took the matter to the High Court after it was felt tougher action was needed to tackle the problem.
“This follows a history of car cruising in the area, causing great alarm and distress to businesses and residents, usually taking place on Thursday evenings and Sunday afternoons.
“The behaviour involves wheel spinning to create screeching noises and smoke, rubber skid marks on the road, and dangerous manoeuvres such as hand-brake turns for the entertainment of spectators.
“As well as dangerous driving, there have been issues of loud music, shouting, car horns blaring, littering and people urinating against business premises. “The injunction means that anyone who car cruises in that area will be in contempt of court, and could be sent to prison.
“Previously police have obtained dispersal orders to tackle car cruising, which have had to have been renewed every six months. “Fixed penalty notices have been issued and vehicle seizures and council patrols have also taken place.
“However it is felt tougher action is needed, and that an injunction will provide the required deterrent.”
Cllr Simon Hoar, cabinet member for community safety and public protection, said: “This has caused major disruption and misery for residents and businesses, through sleepless nights, car crashes and turning the area into a public lavatory.
“Therefore we took this to the High Court to obtain tougher powers to crack down on this behaviour.”
“Therefore we took this to the High Court to obtain tougher powers to crack down on this behaviour.”
The injunction prohibits activities including: driving at excessive speed, driving in convoy, racing other motor vehicles, performing stunts in motor vehicles, sounding horns or playing radios, dropping litter, shouting, swearing, abusing, threatening or otherwise intimidating another person.
The purpose of the injunction is to prevent car cruises and any conduct that causes excessive noise of any kind, a danger to other road users and pedestrians, damage or risk of damage to any property, creates or causes litter, or causes any other nuisance to any other person not participating in a car cruise.
The injunction will be in force until 18.09.14 and if necessary further application for renewal will be made. (Source: Croydon council press release)
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HELPING YOUNGSTERS TURN THEIR BACKS ON CRIME
Croydon’s successful triage process has directed 1,246 young people away from the criminal justice system in the past four years.
Run by the Youth Offending Service, it works with non-serious offenders, aged 10 to 17, to support them away from a life of crime.
The young people are offered assessments and ongoing support where needed, helped back into education and encouraged to try leisure activities such as art and football.
Five young people who had caused criminal damage to a church building met with church representatives and helped to clear up the damage they had caused, and apologised in person.
Four boys, referred for criminal damage to a nursing home, also carried out reparation work, and cleared snow from the home’s drives and paths.
A 12-year-old involved in drug running was helped to return to full-time education, and many occasional cannabis users were given support to turn their backs on drugs.
Cabinet member for community safety, councillor Simon Hoar, said: “Triage gives young people a chance to turn their lives around. “Often the triage workers are the first people that the young people and their families have discussed their problems with, and it encourages a very positive response.”
A Croydon council spokesperson said: “The young people’s concerns often include school attendance, family tension, drug and alcohol abuse. They often have gang links and are referred to agencies that can help them.” Source: Croydon council press release)
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LONDONERS BEING URGED TO REJECT WATER PRICE HIKE
London Labour Assembly environment spokesman Murad Qureshi has called on Londoners to unite in opposition against a planned increase in water bills of £29 for 2014-15 following the announcement that Thames Water has sought permission from water regulator Ofwat to increase bills for millions of hard-pressed Londoners,
Mr Qureshi, who wrote to Ofwat urging them to reject any hike in charges, said: “
Ofwat will not approve Thames Water’s raid on family budgets unless they can justify the hike as being in the interests of Londoners. “It is unbelievable
“Thames Water themselves acknowledge this, stating without any sense of irony, that it’s because of increased customer debt that prices must go up.
“Research from the Consumer Council for Water has shown that one customer in seven is already struggling to pay their water bill. “The decision now rests with Ofwat to decide. “I would urge Londoners to contact Ofwat and tell them if they think if it is in their best interests to pay an extra £29 next year. “Londoners can write to the regulator at Ofwat, Centre City Tower,7 Hill Street, Birmingham, B5 4UA.”
A London Labour Assembly press statement said: “Thames Water defended the increase, citing customer debt, increased environment agency charges and the unexpectedly high costs of purchasing land for construction of the Thames Tideway Tunnel. “Thames Water is the only water company to have made an application to Ofwat. “Following Murad Qureshi’s letter, Ofwat’s director of finance Keith Mason wrote to him, stating that (Ofwat) “will not approve any increase in bills that Thames Water does not justify as being in their customers’ interests.”
(Source London Assembly Labour group press release)
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CUT-PRICE HOME COMPOSTING
Half-price home composting bins are available through a deal arranged by Croydon Council.
“The bins are a great way of turning this autumn’s expected bumper harvest of green waste into free, nutrient-rich compost for next year” said a council spokesperson..
“Normally retailing for almost £40, the council has negotiated a deal with getcomposting.com to let local people buy a 220-litre capacity bin for as little as £16.98 plus delivery.
“A larger 330-litre model costs just £19.98 and, for those interested in collecting rainwater, there is a space-saving 100-litre water butt available for £29.98.
“This waste is composted centrally at Beddington Lane and the resulting product is available, free of charge, from neighbourhood recycling centres.”
Cllr Phil Thomas, cabinet member for highways and environmental services, said: “This year’s hot summer, coupled with occasional heavy rain, means that gardens in Croydon are going to be brimming with green waste.
“Although the council does collect and compost people’s leaves, old plants and cuttings, the most environmentally friendly solution is for gardeners to do it themselves at home. “Our special offer makes this cheap and easy to do.
“And, don’t forget, uncooked kitchen food waste can also go into the compost bin, meaning householders have less to put out for collection by our recycling teams”.
COUNCIL TIP: “Good tips for home composting include using a lawnmower to collect leaves; this shreds them and helps to speed the composting process” “said the spokesperson. ”It’s also a good idea to use a mixture of different materials in a compost bin. “If too many leaves are collected to achieve a balance of materials, they can go into a bin bag with a few holes cut in it. “Breaking the leaves down this way will take a little longer, but the end result is leaf mould, a fine product that can be used in place of peat as potting compost for container plants.”
Visit www.croydon.getcomposting.com or call 0844 571 4444 to find the best deal for you. (Source: Croydon council press release)
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PUBWATCH GOES ONLINE
Licensees in Bromley have joined forces to announce the next generation of the ‘PubWatch’ scheme as it moves online to help keep pubs, bars, clubs and restaurants safe and sound.
PubWatch, which is supported by Bromley council’s licensing team and Bromley police, aims to help fight against crime and antisocial behaviour at licensed premises to achieve a safe, secure and responsibly led social drinking environment.
“The scheme enables licensees and partners to exchange information about troublemakers, issues to watch out for, to ask and answer questions and to share best practice” explained a Bromley council spokesperson. “Good communication is key for an effective Pubwatch scheme and this will be easier now that licensees have the convenience of accessing the scheme online.
Mike Dilnot Bromley’s PubWatch Chairman and manager of Barrel and Horn, Bromley High Street, said: “We want our customers to have a really enjoyable and carefree time when they are out having a relaxing drink or meal – Pubwatch helps us to achieve this.”
Cllr Tim Stevens, Executive Member for Public Protection and Safety said: “Bromley already has a strong reputation for its robust licensing policy – we simply will not allow bad practice in the borough and will take action with local police support when necessary. “Well-run premises are important for the continued success of our town centres and the PubWatch scheme builds on the borough’s good reputation.
“With the support of responsible landlords, such as those at the launch of this scheme, our safe and pleasant leisure environment should be further enhanced.”
Around 20 licensees gathered in Bar Sport in Bromley High Street to kick off the new scheme. (Source: Bromley council press release)
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COUNCIL USES CCTV TO CRACKDOWN ON FLY-TIPPERS
Bromley council is stepping up enforcement action on antisocial fly-tipping, especially in the Crays, following strong representations from residents.
New CCTV cameras in Cotmandene Crescent and Star Lane have been positioned to help deal with the problem of inappropriately dumped waste which often blights these areas. Some 234 incidents of fly-tipping have been observed since the action was increased three months ago and many have been sent a firm warning through their doors, received an £80 fine, or in the worst cases a court summons.
Cllr Tim Stevens Executive Member for Public Protection and Safety said: “Many people who take their recycling to the Cotmandene Crescent car park place it correctly in the bins provided, but residents are fed up with those who flout the rules.
“Some people think they can take all manner of rubbish and simply dump it in the vicinity for the Council to clear up. “This is antisocial behaviour at its worst and places an added burden on law-abiding taxpayers. “Local councillors have told me that enough is enough and they want to see firm action to stop this infuriating behaviour by people who have no regard for their surroundings.” (Source: Bromley council press release).
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‘TEACH KEY LIFE SKILLS’ – CALL BY YOUNG PEOPLE
Young people want more to be done in schools and colleges to teach them key life skills.
That was one of their messages as they quizzed local politicians and senior officers from the council and the police. Other themes that ran throughout the evening were the issues of culture, education standards and future employment prospects.
It was explained how the council puts a great deal of value in the views of young people, with several committees having members on them who are still at school, including one that makes decisions about which organisations receive community grants. This helps the council understand things from a youth perspective so the projects which are funded are relevant to the young people they are designed to help.
As well as getting answers to questions ranging from culture and crime to regeneration and employment the audience also had the opportunity to vote on the things that most concerned them.
Safety topped the list of issues that were felt to need the most attention.
One guest received an early round of spontaneous applause from the room when she spoke out to say how important she felt it to be that more young people were taught the value of taking an interest in local community issues.
Cllr Tim Pollard, deputy leader of the council, said: “This sentiment about the value of youth involvement was vocally shared by everyone in the venue. “I was delighted to get a sense of the passion that these young people clearly felt for their borough and the future of their communities. “Their questions were extremely intelligent and showed a great degree of insight and understanding.”
A live Twitter feed updated regularly from the event meant that people not able to attend could follow the debate. These messages were also projected onto the conference screen in the venue.
Members of the Croydon youth council were on hand to encourage young people to attend their next council meeting at Leon House on 26 September from 5pm to 7pm. (Source: Croydon council press release)
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BUILDING BETTER SUPPORT FOR CARERS
The council and health services in Bromley want to hear from unpaid carers to find out how caring affects their everyday lives and their health. This is part of the council’s work to build better support for carers across the borough.
With this in mind a wide-ranging carers’ survey was launched on 14 September and will run until 6 October. It is aimed at anyone in Bromley who supports a relative, a friend, a neighbour who could not manage otherwise because of frailty, illness, disability or who has mental health or substance misuse problems. This includes husbands, wives, partners, parents, children, brothers, sisters and any other family members.
The survey will help inform the first Adult Services Stakeholder Conference being held by the council in November entitled ‘Building Better Support for Carers’. This brings together carers, adult social service users, social care and health professionals, Councillors, Carers Bromley, voluntary organisations and other key partners. The conference will focus on how to better engage and talk to carers, initiatives to help prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, safeguarding and the best way for carers to get information and advice in their invaluable role.
Said Cllr Evans, executive councillor for care services: This council values and recognises the vital role carers play in the well being of so many people in Bromley who want to live as independently as possible for as long as possible. “Supporting carers is a top priority for us as we work with health and other key partners. “That’s why we’ve launched this survey and dedicated our first adult social care conference to how we can better support carers. “Hearing from carers themselves about the issues they face in caring for loved ones will be all important as we commission and shape services in the future.”
The survey can be found at http://bromley.mylifeportal.
