Esher & Claygate - My Neighbourhood - Surrey Police

Actions taken on your neighbourhood priorities

Esher

You said:
Parking in Hillbrow Road was voted as the priority at the most recent Esher Neighbourhood Panel Meeting. The issue is two-fold. The first is vehicles parking on one of the internal corners sometimes causing an obstruction to other larger vehicles. Secondly, the road is heavily used by motorists working in or visiting Esher thereby restricting the amount of parking available to residents. Ref:EL/10/2152

We did:
We have been patrolling Hillbrow Road to check for obstructions and have issued a number of warning notices to vehicles parked inappropriately on the internal corner. We are waiting to hear from Surrey County Council the outcome of the consultation process which has now begun.

Claygate

You said:
Residents voted Anti Social Behaviour by groups of youths in the vicinity of Claygate Day Centre in Elm Road as the priority at the most recent Claygate Neighbourhood Panel Meeting. Ref: EL/10/2148

We did:
We have been patrolling the area as frequently as possible attending to calls from residents as a matter of priority as and when police assistance has been requested. We have been speaking to local youths and a few drivers to advise them that the Day Centre is not an appropriate place to congregate. Two persons have also been spoken to and dealt with in regard to a public order offence at the location. Reports of congregating youths has decreased which may be due in part to the new sports pitch at the recreation ground which is proving very popular.


General update

We are now experiencing the very best of the Great British summer. The smell of BBQ’s wafts through the air and some, if not all of us are enjoying the trials and tribulations of the national teams we are following in the World Cup.

The fine weather often leads residents to leave their houses and cars insecure and we ask that you ensure that you are not the victim of an opportunist crime. When you leave your house or car for any length of time please take the time to make sure your doors and windows are locked and secure. Do not leave any property on view which will be tempting to would-be thieves. Lock your sheds and garages and do not leave items such as ladders or shovels laying unattended in your garden that could assist a burglar determined to enter your property.

Recent Arrest
Two men were arrested in the car park to West End Common at the top of West End Lane on suspicion of theft of a motor vehicle and going equipped. This coincides with the present decrease in the number of thefts from motor vehicles from car parks which has been an all too regular offence in our area.

Talk SMART campaign
Leave your phone alone when driving’ – that’s the message from Surrey Police and Surrey County Council’s new Talk SMART in Surrey campaign to help stop motorists using hand-held mobile phones at the wheel. The campaign is the latest initiative under the year-long Drive SMART campaign to tackle anti-social driving. During the Talk SMART week there will be enhanced operational activity and online, radio and billboard advertising, along with road shows across the county to remind motorists of the dangers of using their phone while driving.

Bad driving in the county won’t be tolerated and Surrey’s Roads Policing officers will be prosecuting motorists caught using a hand-held mobile phone, which could result in a £60 fine and three penalty points on their licence. If the case goes to court they could also lose their licence and, potentially, their job.

The simple advice to all motorists to avoid prosecution is to turn off your mobile phone for the duration of a journey, or use it only when safely parked. If you call someone who is driving, please take responsibility and hang up.

A few useful contacts to help deal with local problems:
Erna Murray, Elmbridge Housing Trust - 01932 235787
Peter Kipps, Community Safety Partnership Manager - pkipps@elmbridge.gov.uk
Colin Flexman, Elmbridge Borough Council for Graffiti - c.flexman@elmbridge.gov.uk
Surrey County Councillors:
Surrey County Council Contact Centre – 0845 600 9009
Nigel Cooper, Esher - nigel.cooper@surreycc.gov.uk
Mike Bennison, Claygate – michael.bennison@surreycc.gov.uk
Elmbridge Borough Councillors:
David Archer, Esher Ward Local Councillor - darcher@elmbridge.gov.uk
Simon J Waugh, Esher Ward Local Councillor - swaugh@elmbridge.gov.uk
Tim Oliver, Esher Ward Local Councillor – toliver@elmbridge.gov.uk
Jimmy Cartwright, Claygate Ward Local Councillor - jcartwright@elmbridge.gov.uk
Michael Courtney, Claygate Ward Local Councillor - mcourtney@elmbridge.gov.uk
Steve Wells, Claygate Ward Local Councillor - swells@elmbridge.gov.uk

Written by FIN: 3682

Actions taken on your neighbourhood priorities

Esher

You said:
Parking in Hillbrow Road was voted as the priority at the most recent Esher Neighbourhood Panel Meeting. The issue is two-fold. The first is vehicles parking on one of the internal corners sometimes causing an obstruction to other larger vehicles. Secondly, the road is heavily used by motorists working in or visiting Esher thereby restricting the amount of parking available to residents. Ref:EL/10/2152

We did:
We have been patrolling Hillbrow Road to check for obstructions and have issued a number of warning notices to vehicles parked inappropriately on the internal corner. Verbal warnings have also been given on two occasions to motorists waiting at the junction with Portsmouth Road. We have also been in contact with Surrey County Council who have stated that they are doing preparatory work prior to a consultation process about Hillbrow Road and many other related matters in Elmbridge which should begin in June.

Claygate

You said:
Residents voted Anti Social Behaviour by groups of youths in the vicinity of Claygate Day Centre in Elm Road as the priority at the most recent Claygate Neighbourhood Panel Meeting. Ref: EL/10/2148

We did:
This is a recurrence of a previous neighbourhood priority and we have been patrolling the area as frequently as possible. We have also attended to calls from residents with urgency and have spoken to and dispersed youths on a couple of occasions. We are also dealing with two persons over a public order offence at the location.


General update

We are still experiencing a number of thefts from motor vehicles in the Esher area and also continue to suffer from bicycle thefts in our area, particularly from garden sheds and garages in Esher, Claygate and surrounding areas. Please read the advice below on how to secure your bicycles and how to prevent opportunists from stealing from your car.
Sadly, many workmen in our area have had their tools stolen from their vans whilst they are working. This has happened in broad daylight and sometimes on busy roads. We ask that if anybody has any information on this or sees anybody acting suspiciously around vans to contact Surrey Police. Your help will be greatly appreciated.

Recent Arrest
A young man was arrested recently on suspicion of taking a vehicle without consent following a theft of a quad bike from a local sports club. He is currently on bail whilst enquiries continue.

Crime Prevention Advice

Secure your bicycle
Bicycles are easy targets for thieves and we have experienced a number of bicycle thefts in our area in recent weeks. Such theft is usually opportunist but it seems that bicycles are now being targeted in a more organised way. Thieves are now breaking into garden sheds and garages with the sole intention of stealing bicycles. We urge you to consider the following:
• Fit ‘Sold Secure’ standard, good quality locks which have been attack-tested by the Master Locksmiths’ Association. and lock your bicycle(s) even when they are in your shed or garage.
• If you have more than one bike, lock them together or attach the lock to a heavy object in the shed or garage.
• Please also consider installing a shed alarm to deter would be thieves. These are relatively inexpensive and can be purchased at many DIY stores.

Secure your Vehicle
As the days are getting longer Surrey Police is keen to encourage motorists to be mindful of car security. Traditionally our car parks get busier when lighter days and good weather arrive, with many people visiting local bars and restaurants or local beauty spots and we are keen to ensure days out are not ruined by auto crime.

Residents and visitors need to be aware that opportunist thieves are working in our neighbourhood – and they particularly like town centre car parks and our local beauty spots. Every year we urge motorists to be mindful of security and encourage people to think sensibly about how they can stop themselves becoming a target.

Simple measures to help keep property safe include not leaving anything on view in the car, not taking valuables if at all possible out in a vehicle and using alarm systems where fitted. People should be aware of their surroundings and park in suitable spots – preferably where a car is visible to passers by and where there are other cars alongside. Surrey Police continues to tackle vehicle crime hot spots but motorists should heed basic security advice.

Surrey Police offers the following tips to avoid falling prey to car crime:
• Always leave handbags and wallets at home if you can. Even if your bag does not contain anything valuable, a thief will not know that and might still break a window or force a lock to get at it.
• Make sure the doors of your vehicle are locked and the windows and sunroof are shut, no matter how hot the weather, or even if you are only going to be gone for a couple of minutes.
• Make sure your car is parked in a location where it is in clear view of other people whenever possible, not obscured from sight by trees or shrubs, therefore making it more vulnerable
• Do not leave anything in your vehicle. The most commonly stolen items from cars include laptops, handbags, sat navs and mobile phones. They are easy to remove quickly, are easily concealed and do not look out of place if a thief is seen walking away from a car.
• Make sure you do not leave a coat or jacket behind in the car. A thief may think that it is hiding a laptop or handbag and break into your car to find out.
• Always remove your in-car radio/CD player if you can.

Drive SMART campaign
Surrey Police and Surrey County Council are continuing with the Drive SMART initiative. The focus of the campaign is on education and changing behaviour as well as enforcement and targets a range of driving behaviours that negatively affect the lives of other road users or local residents. This not only includes drink and drug driving but also bad or inconsiderate parking, tailgating, using a handheld mobile phone at the wheel, speeding, not wearing a seatbelt and generally thoughtless or reckless driving.

A few useful contacts to help deal with local problems:
Erna Murray, Elmbridge Housing Trust - 01932 235787
Peter Kipps, Community Safety Partnership Manager - pkipps@elmbridge.gov.uk
Colin Flexman, Elmbridge Borough Council for Graffiti - c.flexman@elmbridge.gov.uk
Surrey County Councillors:
Surrey County Council Contact Centre – 0845 600 9009
Nigel Cooper, Esher - nigel.cooper@surreycc.gov.uk
Mike Bennison, Claygate – michael.bennison@surreycc.gov.uk
Elmbridge Borough Councillors:
David Archer, Esher Ward Local Councillor - darcher@elmbridge.gov.uk
Deborah Oliver, Esher Ward Local Councillor - doliver@elmbridge.gov.uk
Tim Oliver, Esher Ward Local Councillor – toliver@elmbridge.gov.uk
Jimmy Cartwright, Claygate Ward Local Councillor - jcartwright@elmbridge.gov.uk
Michael Courtney, Claygate Ward Local Councillor - mcourtney@elmbridge.gov.uk
Steve Wells, Claygate Ward Local Councillor - swells@elmbridge.gov.uk

Written by FIN: 3682