Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Julie Bailey (Police, Community Safety Officer, Fenland)
Over the weekend there has been various vehicle crime reported to us. The reported incidents occurred in the area’s of Crescent Road, Whitmore Street, Feldale Place, and High Causeway. Cambridgeshire constabulary are appealing for information in relation to these incidents. If you have been a victim and haven’t reported it to us please could you call the non emergency number 101. If you have information in relation to these incidents e.g. you are a resident in these roads and have CCTV that might provide us with information in relation to these crimes, or you saw or heard anything that you feel can help us please e-mail whittlesey.npt@cambs.pnn.police.uk.  We would like to reassure residents reporting these crimes that you can speak to the Police in complete confidence and should not fear any reprisals.
Please could we ask that this is NOT discussed on social media, we completely understand your frustrations and that you want to vent your anger publicly however we want to catch the offenders and secure convictions and unfortunately discussions of who the offenders are could hinder our investigations. Thank you for your continued support.
Sent on Behalf Sgt Lugg and team Julie Bailey Crime Reduction and Community Safety Officer Fenland.

So it’s good-bye to one of the dynamic duo – best Street Cleaners/Operatives we’ve ever had.
Sam has decided he likes a 5 day job on the Dust Cart!
This now leaves ‘Lilly’ Pete Savage – who again I can only give great accolades in his excellent work ethic here in Whittlesey.
Let us hope we get someone who is just as dedicated as Sam as a replacement – at some time – sooner – rather than later.
(FDC) are notorious in being somewhat slow in recruiting suitable applicants!!!

Tell us something we don’t know.
Policing is and has changed over the past 5 years.
The type of Policing and the types of crimes are changing.
40% of crime now is Cyber/Internet based crime.
Police are and need to be more mobile.

As with incidents in the last couple of weeks in our own town…. social media is quick off the mark, however posting photographs of suspects, making statements online – and winding others up – does no good what so ever.
Investigations are severely jeopardized and prejudicial to what the Police can and can not do.
As I have stated so many times…..Please Report ALL crime, then there is a RECORD and trace on incidents. The Police can only act on reported crime NOT on what goes on social media.

What started late last week with one caravan, has now expanded to several other vehicles arriving by yesterday afternoon.
I have been in contact both with FDC Street Scene who inform me that ‘The Travellers & Diversity Manager’ is aware and did visit the site last Friday.
The land is Railway and British Transport Police have also been informed.
I have no issue of them being there temporarily – however someone close by is leaving a hell of a lot of Rubbish – this is what I object  too – someone and at our/my cost has to clear up the mess left behind.

Local Police Team are also aware.

Rather unusual cycle coming through town on Friday…

Besides Aliwal Bridge

Businesses in Whittlesey seem to cycle opening and closing, but mostly when shops close for what-ever reason, it doesn’t take long before another opens – the shops may not be everyone’s likings but empty shop units does not instil confidence in an area.

Not a comprehensive list of ‘Newish’ Shops – so apologies if you are one that I have missed out.
One or more food/take-aways I didn’t get pictures of.

So is our area on the up again – I hope so and wish all new businesses every success – now we ALL have to support them.

Sorry but I do not do vapourizing (No Smoko No Fire)

From Sgt Richard Lugg South Fenland PST

1. Residents in their wards and ascertaining if they were a victim of crime and encourage them to report it by calling 101. This is not just a crime number gaining exercise.
   This is about collecting evidential gold for our investigation.
   The more crime reports we receive the more chances we have of targeting the offenders and achieving better results upon prosecution.
2. See if anyone (who was not a victim) has any information as to what happened last night. They can contact us at Whittlesey.npt@cambs.pnn.police.uk
3. If they have any incidents caught on CCTV.
4. Help reassure the public that the local policing team are aware and are dealing with as expeditiously as we can.
5. Help reassure the public that there will be no repercussions if they help us.
   Thanks in advance.
   All updates will be via the correct NHA process.

Last night the Police did respond to some serious damage to property and vehicles.
The Police were ‘quick’ to ask that reporting be curtailed on social media as it can hinder and jeopardise current and on going investigations – what happened…Pages and Pages of reports, questions, even a photograph flinched off the official Police Website.
I am just as concerned and angry that the alleged perpetrator has been let loose – don’t blame the Police for this – blame the Criminal Justice system including the Magistrates who have one arm tied behind their back.
Leave it to the Police to sort out – yes it took all of 20 Minutes to respond – come on I consider that to be pretty good. Not of course if you are a victim.

My condolences to the family of Mark Colin, who died on Tuesday when a stolen vehicle was in collision with him in the early hours.

Good to see in the press that two Whittlesey Councillors meeting with the mayor of Cambs & Peterboro’ James Palmer this week at Whittlesey Railway Station – at least there is still some pressure and argument for a better Station and more frequent service in/out of Whittlesey – remember there is a public meeting coming in September 11tth
The more people that come to these meetings the better as it shows of concerns ‘we’ all have about the Station and its services.
Of course the ‘Challenge’ is – how long is a piece of string….
This has been ongoing for months, years and a decade or more. Maybe Mr. Palmer can work us a miracle – I for one will be very impressed indeed if his lobbying brings about the improvements we are looking to have…
Oh No – Not Again !!!!! – As I have suggested some weeks ago, one of the ‘other’ toilets was reported to me to be playing up…. well after some 3 weeks – would you believe me! – the said toilet in question is now ‘CLOSED’
 
I wonder is I should start the ‘stop watch’ to see if this takes 4½ months to sort out as the last one did.