Cllr Roy Gerstner – Community Activist

Today saw some ‘excitement’ within our town centre, a reported affray/attempted theft at one of the Cafés and then later on someone had their handbag stolen whilst in a shop.
It is that time of year when everyone can be distracted quite easily.
Be aware of your surroundings and who is close by you.

There are a lot of criminals who are very mobile and see Whittlesey as an easy target…..
See anything suspicious then please report it….101 none emergency 999 if a crime is being actually committed.

FOWL have a meeting this Tuesday at 7pm at the Library – Rear of building entry door.
Anyone who wishes to help and support our Library are welcome to come along.

FOWL are also having a Christmas Fare on Saturday November 26th 10:00am – 12:00
Stalls @ £5:00 enquiries can be made at the Library.

I am just emailing to let you know about our monthly event called Love Your Home, part of the MMC project. Making Money Count is a £1m Big Lottery funded project providing everyday help with money; increasing confidence in managing your money at home and online.
Our events give people the chance to have a go at crafts, DIY, cooking, up-cycling of furniture and we have raffles and free CCORRN memberships at each event.
http://www.ccorrn.org.uk/ 

The event is free and everyone is welcome – we have a different theme each month and encourage people to give us ideas about what we can make at future events.
Our next event is on the 15^th November at the Queen Mary Centre, Wisbech and its 10:30-13:00.
We have free tea, coffee and biscuits and in November we have free soup and crusty rolls.

If you could promote the event to anyone you think would enjoy coming we would much appreciate it –I have attached a flyer and included the link to our Facebook page for more info and pictures.
https://www.facebook.com/MakingMoneyCount/

We also have a craft fair on the 15th December (same place and time) and have FREE stall for anyone that wants one – as long as the products being sold have been made or created in some capacity as we want to keep the home-made feel for the event.

I see that ‘Speeding’ on the North Bank has come back again, this seems to be a regular item on various social media. The times several of us have enlightened the public as to ‘who’ this road belongs too – I’ve lost count. The ‘Policing’ of the whole stretch of road to the Dog-In-The- Doublet bridge is Peterborough Police, Fenland Police will only get involved in the case of emergencies or to support the Peterborough Sector.
If people would as usual do some basic research – they would find out all the history behind ‘accidents/deaths/speeding along this stretch of road.
It was only after the last serious accidents that concerted pressure by several of our councillors at the time along with MP Steve Barclay making representations to Peterborough City Council, that the latest safety measures were put into place.
This actually all happened very quickly including the installation of the safety barriers.
As far as enforcing the speed limit – as again I have reported on so many occasions – there has been a reduction in the number of Speed Camera Vans – and it is a shared resource between 3 counties and can not be everywhere at once.
The answer as happened along the 40 Foot Bank – is ‘Average Speed Camera’s – I do not accept the argument that getting Power is difficult – Yes it would be costly to get the power, that’s completely different –
It depends on the ‘will’ that Peterborough want to give it.
Without another concerted effort and lobbying by both the Public and as many of our Councillors as possible – to Peterborough CC to drive the request onwards for Average Speed Camera’s or – I hope not more deaths.
As the better informed have said – It is not the road – it is the way and speed that drivers using the road are who are responsible – Drive at the speed limit and I doubt if you or I will have a problem.

I have written to Peterborough Police and Peterborough NHW to request more regular speed enforcement be carried out on this stretch of road.

(Photos from Archives ©R.G.)

HMIC (Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary)

AN HMIC report on efficiency, published 03/11/16  has rated the force as ‘requiring improvement’.

The report assesses the efficiency of forces as part of the police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy programme (PEEL).

Assistant Chief Constable Nav Malik said: “We accept the findings of HMIC’s efficiency report. While we are disappointed with the overall judgment, we recognise the issues raised and are already taking steps to address the findings and improve in the areas identified.

To read the full report from HMIC Click Here (A lot of reading)

To read the full constabulary response Click Here (Takes about 5 minutes to read)

Already a great deal of excuses and rhetoric, ‘if’ of course there are systems already in place to address the HMIC report then that’s good – but can the public can believe it.

The PCC (Police & Crime Commissioner) of course has ‘only’ been in his post for a relative short period – yes I accept as in many of my previous posts that ‘Policing’ is very challenging in these days.
One of my idea’s never looked at is the complete amalgamation of neighbouring forces.
We do not need 43 different Policing areas in England.
We do not need 43 Chief Constables, Assistance Chief Constables and 43 PCC’s – a vast savings if I ever saw one – but the police are very institutionalize.

I am not advocating 1 authority which now exists in Scotland, but I believe a maximum of 10 regions would bring about vast efficiencies and that savings would more than pay for front line policing.

Interesting – Maybe – an update on the kings Dyke Crossing – I hope to attend and will report.

Hover ‘mouse’ at bottom of page to get page 2….

A few days away to celebrate Connie’s birthday – Newmarket where the Queen visited today….Nice Hotel The Bedford Hotel & Spa.. .. around are some beautiful autumn colours and a nice ride out to Thetford Forrest…

This website (I don’t particularly like the phase ‘Blog) has been going for some 6+ years, it is not all about ‘politics’ or accountability, but about everything I find within ‘our’ community. Last Friday over a 24 hour period some ‘3,200’ people visited this website – not all from the UK I might add! – but the majority did come within our area – what a success.
No hearsay, No innuendo, and most importantly No lies – what you see is what you get.
Yesterdays report on the Police Station/PCSO Moll had 1,300 people look at the post.

Thank you for your support…..The Whittlesey monthly magazines are fine for community groups and advertising but the ‘News’ is somewhat out of date and remember they are in it for a business and profit!

As people are aware Faceless Book and Twinter have a great deal of mis-information at times, many trolls and wind-up merchants and most hide behind anonymity, very good for getting ‘real’ messages and news out to a lot of people at one time…..suites some people.

I will promote ‘any’ community group, publish other peoples opinions and support any charitable event – just let me know…..

There are ‘some‘ community groups that do not want me to promote them – that’s fine – just let me know….

I am NOT hiding behind Anonymity….

Further to my post yesterday re the Clearing out of our Police Station and the ‘loss’ of PCSO Ian Moll.
I need to make the community aware that whilst I was talking with PCSO Moll outside of Barclays Bank at around 14:30 – within a period of 10 minutes, he was approached on 3 occasions –

(1) We witnessed a lady falling over the kerb nearby the ‘George’ – fortunately no serious injury.
(2) Two members of the public reported to him their suspicions of a shop lifter in ‘Boots’ which he went off to investigate.
(3) A member of the public making a general enquiry.

All this within a 10 minute timescale – that’s why it is so important to have ‘some’ visible’ presence of Policing within our area.

A bit late on, which he did not witness, was what appeared to be ‘road-rage’ on the corner of Market Street/Broad Street where there are major road works on-going.

A question that needs to be asked is ‘why’ there has been little or nothing from any of our Councillors either in the press, or in our local magazines. There was a shortish questioning at the Town Council meeting of the 12th October – many Councillors had NO questions – why?

There has been a Police Station in Whittlesey since 1857.
The present Police Station was opened in October 1968
Today the furniture, equipment and computers were being removed.

Today I met with PCSO Ian Moll who informs me that he will be completing his last shift here in Whittlesey – on Thursday this week.
Ian will be relocating as a PCSO in Peterborough. The reason he is moving is primarily due to the Police Station closing and he having to travel further to March to start/end his shift.
It is my understanding that there will be (2) PCSO’s assigned to Whittlesey, although it is unclear at present as how much of their shift they will be in/around the Whittlesey area.
I thanked Ian on behalf of Whittlesey NHW for his liaison and contact with the community.
If you would like to be a better neighbour, why not join Neighbourhood Watch, the largest voluntary organisation in England.
It is free to join and does not involve a great deal of time.

The next meeting of Whittlesey NHW will be on Tuesday 15th November at 7:00pm
Whittlesey Town Council Offices – Grosvenor House, (Opposite Bus Stop)
Side entrance – up the stairs.
If you would like more information, please contact me – details on the top of the page.

Visit Whittlesey NHW Website

Winter burglary prevention advice

After the clocks go back we start thinking about the darker night’s drawing in. Traditionally there is a rise in burglaries in the winter period, especially during the run up to Christmas and it is sensible to think about your home security.

You can reduce the risk of being a victim of burglary by following four simple steps:

1. Leave a light on inside your home when you are absent, preferably using a low energy bulb.
2. Use a timer switch to activate lights as it gets dark, alternating the times they are illuminated to give the impression of someone being at home.
3. Make sure your front door is well lit using dusk to dawn lighting that automatically comes on as it gets dark.
4. Make sure you keep your doors and windows locked at all times.

In addition, we would advise you to take these security tips:

• Register valuable items with a serial number at www.immobilise.com and add a photograph.
• Do not leave your car keys, handbags, wallets or mobile phones near doors, letterboxes or windows.
• Never leave keys in the door if you have a cat flap or letter box.
• Keep your valuables out of sight. Burglars will be looking through windows for items of value.
• Install a visible burglar alarm with a box on the front and rear of yoru property.
• Keep gates and sheds locked.
• Store your wheelie bins behind secure side gates to prevent them being used as climbing aids.
• Increase the height of your back or side fencing by adding diamond style trellis topping which is difficult to climb.
• Plant spiky plants in vulnerable areas.
• Think about getting a driveway alarm – this is a cheap and effective deterrent which can be switched on at night when you go to bed to protect against anyone entering your drive or garden.
• If you are lucky enough to be going away on holiday, do not post your holiday plans or movements on social-networking sites.
• Subscribe to your local Neighbourhood Watch

  Visit Whittlesey NHW