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The West Leigh area is fortunate to have the services both
of an effective Neighbourhood Police team and of a group of
dedicated Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). The higher
visibility of police officers on our streets is clearly improving
the feeling of security in our neighbourhood and leading to
a general reduction in crime.
Residents do however still have concerns about anti-social
behaviour particularly with regards to the intimidation felt
from groups of young people congregating in certain areas,
the increase in graffiti, drink-related crime and damage to
property.
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Graffiti [report
it on 01702 215000] |
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Graffiti
is always comes near the top when residents are asked what
concerns them most about our environment. Not only do we see
public areas, shops and our high streets daubed with unsightly
scrawls but private property is also increasingly coming under
attack. The Council does a valiant job clearing up the mess
but it seems that too few of the vandals are being caught
and punished. The Council has several initiatives for
dealing with graffiti including distributing free removal
kits and giving advice on prevention - information is available
on the Council's website
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Extended Licensing Hours |
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The new
Licensing Act has meant that Southend Council has taken
over responsibility for the issuing of licences for the sale
of alcohol and
owners of premises can now apply for opening hours
of up to 24 hours. Looking on the positive side however, stricter
rules apply for the running of licensed premises and licenses
can now be revoked more easily.
WLRA was invited by Southend Council back in 2004 to take
part in the consultation on the Council's new Licensing Policy.
The Association was particularly concerned about the impact
the changes, especially extended hours, would have on local
residents.
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HandyVan Scheme ~ free fitting of locks
etc in your home |
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Handy
Van is a scheme operated by Help the Aged and supported by
Southend
Police, Southend Borough Council, Southend Crime and Disorder
Reduction Partnership and Neighbourhood Watch. Its purpose
is to supply and fit high quality locks etc free of charge
to pensioners meeting the following criteria - aged 60 plus
years and cash savings of £20,000 or less. Such
pensioners can have high quality door and window locks, door
chains, door viewers, low energy light bulbs, smoke detectors
and, carbon monoxide detectors supplied and fitted free of
charge.
Referral
forms are available at all Southend libraries or via the Neighbourhood
Watch Administrator on 01702 464199.
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Restorative Justice |
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"Restorative
Justice works to resolve conflict and repair harm. It encourages
those who have caused harm to acknowledge the impact of what
they have done and gives them an opportunity to make reparation.
It offers those who have suffered harm the opportunity to
have their harm or loss acknowledged and amends made."
The Southend
Youth Offending Service has a Restorative Justice team which
is very active in the Borough.WLRA had the head of this team
as a guest speaker at its December open meeting.WLRA has also
agreed to participate in a "Community Circle" when
one of these is set up for our area.
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CCTV
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There
are 268 CCTV cameras watching the Southend High Street
area.
Does this now make you feel safe enough to walk down there
after dark?
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Chalkwell
Marine
Neighbourhood Policing Team
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West
Leigh area is covered by the team headed by PC Paul Tucker
Mobile: 07866 545291
Tel: 01702 431212
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Leigh
Crime Prevention Panel
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WLRA
is represented on this Panel.
Next Meeting:
21st January 2008
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Neighbourhood
Watch
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Lots
of useful information to make our community safer: advice,
news, alerts, articles, crime prevention, crime statistics,
latest scams, etc can be found on the NW website:
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Crime
& Disorder Strategy
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Problems
with licensed premises?
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If
you are suffering from any nuisance from a local pub, restaurant
or club, always report it to the WLRA and to the police
as they maintain records which can be used to revoke an existing
license or restrict a new one.
Contact Sgt Matt Bell on
01702 423118 or WLRA who will pursue the matter for you.
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