Local news August 2011

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Bromley Police BOCU Commander Update 15th August 2011

From Martin Huxley, Acting Borough Commander.

“As Charles Griggs is now on annual leave for two weeks and I therefore update you while I am in the role of Acting Borough Commander.

“There has been no crime or violent disorder over the weekend linked to the rioting and looting experienced last week. We are extremely busy gathering evidence, arresting offenders and bringing them before the courts. To date Bromley Police have recorded 79 offences that are linked to the crime and violent disorder. This includes 44 burglary offences, 11 offences of criminal damage, and the remainder a combination of Assault, Harassment, Going equipped to steal, Violent disorder and theft from motor vehicle. Thirty-seven arrests have been made for offences on Bromley borough so far and this number continues to increase following the additional identification of offenders from CCTV imagery. Charles Griggs met with the Newshopper last week, images of some outstanding offenders should be published this week and are already on their website. The Met has also published images on www.met.police.uk that has attracted over six million views on its Flickr page.

“I am immensely proud of the dedication, professionalism and bravery displayed by my officers over the past few days in extremely challenging conditions. They have been working tirelessly to keep the community in Bromley and the people of London safe.

“I am grateful to local residents, businesses and partners for their valued support and I am personally sending out messages to officers and staff informing them of the continuing praise and messages of thanks from the local community.

" Once again, thank you for your continuing support and message of goodwill which is most appreciated.

“We continue to provide a high level of presence and visibility on our streets and I will keep you all updated of any significant developments.”

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Reminder – local development framework core strategy response needed

London Borough of Bromley is consulting on its local development framework core strategy.

The consultation closes at the end of September, and CLB will be drafting a response, which we will circulate for comments later this month.

However, if you have anything you particularly want to include, email Stephen Blann at stephenb@communitylinksbromley.org.uk.

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Disorder update covering Thursday 11 August

Update from Charles Griggs, Bromley Borough Commander

“The level of resources for Wednesday 10 August was even higher than that of the previous day. This enabled me to provide a high level of presence in our neighbourhoods, and a large number of investigators to expedite investigations into the shocking crimes of Monday and Tuesday. We are already identifying people from the wealth of CCTV that we have from across the borough, and we are executing search warrants to track down the stolen property. I also intend to publish photos of people we want to identify. I am meeting the Newshopper on Friday, so I suggest you monitor their website for a first glimpse.

Overnight was very quiet, but at 0140 this morning a group attacked the Orange phone shop in Orpington High Street. A group of about 10 masked youths smashed their way in, but left empty handed because they couldn't access the stock room. We are planning a return to normality, but our high level of street presence will continue over the weekend. Thursday has remained calm, and I expect that to continue.

I invited Lulu Pearce, the Ethnic Communities Programme Manager to visit Bromley Police Station and to experience at first had how we are policing the borough. I have copied below her response. Thank you Lulu, I'm sure her words are far more reassuring than mine.”

“Many thanks for affording me the opportunity to see at first hand how your officers provide security and reassurance to the local community following the disorder over recent days. Although last night was noticeably quieter than previous evenings I was impressed by the determination and commitment of the officers to ensure that communities and businesses were safe during this unprecedented period.

“Please pass on my appreciation and thanks to your officers on behalf of the Community Advisory Group and BME Communities in Bromley.

“These are challenging times and as such, the need for us to work together, is evermore important.”

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Disorder update covering Tuesday 9 August 1800 to 0900 Wednesday 10 August.

Update from Charles Griggs, Bromley Borough Commander

“The level of resources available to the borough was significantly higher with the impact of cancelled leave and 12-hour tours of duty. Every ward, and those areas affected by the violence and disorder on Monday had a highly visible and reassuring police presence. I was also able to invest significant resources to deal with those arrested on Monday and to start investigating all the crime committed, including examining all the CCTV. Tuesday evening was comparatively very quiet with no disorder or mass looting. There were individual acts of retail burglaries e.g a ram raid at Hobbycraft, Nugent Retail Park, and other retail premises in Orpington and Beckenham. The police response was quick resulting in two arrests for burglary. We also dealt with the 29 prisoners from Monday. 15 went to Court this morning in custody, charged with various offences including burglary (looting), handling stolen goods and public order offences. 7 were bailed for further enquiries.

“Although I have sent another 50 officers on aid to other parts of London, my plan for Wednesday is to increase further the number of officers who are visible on our streets. As I said yesterday, we will not give up our streets, and we will maintain order in Bromley.
“I invited Judith Cross, from the Bromley Community Engagement Forum to come to Bromley and see what we are doing to keep our borough safe. With her permission, I have copied below her Facebook comments. A valuable independent view. Thank you Judith.”

“BROMLEY, Amazingly quiet, very heavy police presence every where, some pubs ,restaurants closed early but plenty of others doing a good trade, ie business as usual. Enormous support from a vast majority of the Community, too many bogus calls but the officers never faltered at any call. Monday night some areas suffered, tonight the streets belonged to the Community supported by the Police. Bonus, I didn't throw up after undergoing the umpteenth call on the blues & twos!”

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Message from MPS Bromley Borough Commander Charles Griggs

You will be aware of the mindless acts of criminality that have occurred at various locations in London. It is still unclear what turned a peaceful protest following a police shooting into the shocking scenes of burning buildings, looting, disorder and violence targeted at police officers.
As part of 'Team Met', Bromley officers have been supporting the policing effort in Tottenham, and I am expecting to provide officers for the forthcoming days and nights until the situation is firmly under control. It is important that we monitor tensions within our own communities, and maintain effective communication and engagement. This will help to minimise disorder developing on the borough and to respond swiftly and decisively should it occur.
I was personally appalled and disgusted by the level of violence and sheer lawlessness that I saw on our streets over night. Officers have shown bravery and courage protecting our borough from these mindless thieving thugs; I am ashamed to think that they see their actions as justified. Whilst we have been unable to protect everywhere on the borough, we will not give up the streets. We will work tirelessly with our partners and the community to maintain order, and try and prevent a repeat of last night’s awful scenes.
Over the coming days I can assure you that we will continue to provide an effective policing service to the people of Bromley. The MPS will provide a proportionate and suitable resource and policing plan to maintain order throughout London, police all known events and respond to disorder should it occur.
The criminal investigation into the appalling events of the weekend will be pursued vigorously to bring the offenders to justice. Already almost 450 people have been arrested and this number will swell.
I look forward to working with you all to keep Bromley, as part of our great capital, safe. .

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Proposal to reconfigure older people mental health services

Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust provides community health services in Bexley and Greenwich and mental health and learning disability services across Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich.

We wish to inform colleagues in local voluntary, community and faith groups of the changes we are proposing to our older people mental health inpatient services. We welcome your views and if you require more information, please contact us – details at the bottom of this article.

We are aware that some patients will have to travel further for their inpatient care and that their carers, families and friends may also have to travel further to visit. So, to ensure everyone can still visit as before, we are looking at transport options, including the provision of a voluntary driver scheme, so that carers unable to easily reach hospitals outside their own borough will be able to maintain contact with the patient.

Based on last year’s activity, this will affect approximately the following number of people, who will have an average length of stay of around 7 weeks.

Bexley

Bromley

Greenwich

59

68

48

In order to ensure we hear people’s views on our proposed changes, we are talking to a lot of people including voluntary and community groups. We have established a Stakeholder Reference Group, which has met twice to date – members include representatives from across the three boroughs such as Bexley Voluntary Service Council, MIND, Indian Cultural Society, Carers organisations, etc. The Business Support Units (formerly known as Primary Care Trusts), GP consortias and Oxleas Governors are also invited. We are also talking directly with Local Authority colleagues, LINks and some other voluntary and community groups.

Through this article, Oxleas wants to ensure all voluntary, community and faith groups who have an interest in older people mental health are informed of the changes we are proposing and, if they wish, are able to talk to us about these.

If you would like further information or would like to feedback your views on the changes we are proposing, please contact Estelle Frost, Director of Older People Mental Health on 020 8301 9430 or email Estelle.frost@oxleas.nhs.uk.

If you would like more general information about Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust and the services we provide please contact Jo Mant, Head of Stakeholder Engagement on 01322 625700 ext 5857 or email jo.mant@oxleas.nhs.uk.

 

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National Survey of Charities and Social Enterprises

 The Cabinet Office has finally published the results of the National Survey of Charities & Social Enterprises, carried out by IPSOS MORI in autumn 2010. This was the two year follow up to the National Survey of Third Sector Organisations carried out in 2008.
You can find out more by visiting the National Survey of Charities & Social Enterprises website where you can also download the national and Bromley results. 
There are 40 questions covering:

The answers for 2010 are alongside those of 2008 and although there are changes of a few percent more or less, in most cases these are not statistically significant (this page explains what that means). The statistically significant changes in Bromley are:

Nationally, although there are changes of a few percentage points, the size of the sample means they are all statistically significant and overall reflect an improvement in relations and support for local organisations:

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LBB Consultation on Local Development Framework Core Strategy

The council is currently consulting on the “Core Strategy” which is part of its Local Development Framework (LDF). The LDF is the master document for land use planning in the borough over the next 15 years. The core strategy, as the name suggests, sets out the principles the council will use. It sets out the sort of development (or restriction on development) the council wants to see where and is used in making decisions about planning applications. 
The strategy is in several sections

The Strategy Document  concludes with some background on the LDF and explanation of technical terms and references.
You can download the draft strategy - in full or in the different sections, you are interested in from the consultation portal on the council’s website. Stephen Blann, has prepared the following policy briefing on the Local Development Framework – Core Strategy
The consultation ends on the 30th September. Comments should be sent to ldf@bromley.gov.uk. If you have any comments, please copy them in to Stephen Blann at Community links Bromley so a formal response can be compiled. 

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It's 101 for London's police

As latest figures reveal that less than a quarter of 999 calls require an emergency response, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), together with other police forces in the southeast launched a new contact number for the public.
The new number, 101, is part of a national programme to improve access and will give the public one easy way to get in touch with the police for calls that do not require an urgent response. For example, the public should call 101 to report a crime that has already happened, seek crime prevention advice or make us aware of local policing issues.
It is being introduced to improve access to the police, ease pressure on 999 and to help tackle crime and disorder. As well as calling us on 101 or 999, the public can use online services to get information or report crime; join virtual neighbourhood ward panels to oversee and influence local policing; visit a police station or front counter 24/7; or approach an officer in the street.

Bromley Health Summit – Healthy Partnership, Healthy Community
""

On Tuesday 28th May, Community Links Bromley delivered a highly successful Health Summit attended by local groups, commissioners from the PCT and LBB, GPs, practice managers and nurses.

Stephen Blann has compiled the full report which is now ready to download

Delegates at the event were much impressed by range of CLB's online Big Community Directory.

CLB member of staff elected to trustee board at the Institute of Fundraising

Photo of Julie Hunt

Photo of Julie Hunt

We are pleased to report that Julie Hunt, our Funding Information and Advice Officer, has been voted on to the board at the IoF.

Bruce Leeke, Acting Chief Executive of the Institute of Fundraising, welcomed all the new trustees and commented that "With the expertise of these committed individuals at the helm of the IoF, we will be able to continue pressing forward for the changes that really matter for fundraisers over the next year."

Julie has been an active fundraiser in the sector since 2003. She began her career as a volunteer, and following completion of the Certificate in Fundraising Management in 2005 became a paid coordinator and manager for local and high profile national charities.

During her three and a half years at CLB, her project, funded by The City Bridge Trust, has grown to support over 200 small/medium sized organisations to diversify their incomes and develop robust fundraising strategies. Our Chair, trustees and all staff are delighted by Julie’s success.

CLB Volunteer receives award at City Hall

Photo of Althea Haye
Althea Haye receives her award for voluntary commitment from London’s Mayor Boris Johnson

CLB volunteer receives award at City Hall

We are delighted to report that one of our volunteering advisors, Althea Haye, was presented with a star award for the commitment she brings to her role at Community Links Bromley.

Members of Bromley’s voluntary and community sector along with representatives from the local authority, including CEO Doug Patterson, were invited to the reception at City Hall to see Althea receive her award.

The guest speaker, Boris Johnson, spoke about the benefits of engagement with the voluntary and community sector and about the Team London programme, which promotes volunteering across London. 

If you would like to find out more about nominating a volunteer for a Team London Star Award, please visit http://www.london24.com/news/news/team-london

PRINCE2 project management training

Photo of Philippa Leary

Photo of Philippa Leary

 

Philippa Leary, Membership, Information and Communication officer passed both the foundation and practitioner level examinations after a 10-week evening class.

PRINCE2 stands for PRojects IN Controlled Environments. It is a project management methodology sponsored by the UK’s OGC (Office of Government and Commerce) and supported by the APM Group (APMG). It was initially created to address the issues that were commonly causing UK government IT projects to fail. Whilst PRINCE2 is the de-facto standard for project management in the UK, the method has now achieved worldwide recognition. Philippa will be adapting a variety of its methodologies for use by CLB in delivering projects and preparing funding applications.

If anyone is interested in taking the training, the course is being re-run at CVA in the autumn. You can download the CVA’s training brochure from here with full details or contact Terence Doherty Learning & Training Manager on 020 8253 1266.
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