Lower Sunbury - My Neighbourhood - Surrey Police

Actions taken on your neighbourhood priorities

Rivermead Island
You told us:
Throughout the Summer we have received a number of reports from residents stating that youths are acting in an anti social manner whilst on Rivermead Island including having bonfires on the island and youths camping overnight causing a disturbance to residents.

We acted:
We have conducted the following in order to try and resolve this issue:

• We have conducted patrols at the weekends late into the evening which is when the reports are being received
• We have obtained the details of large groups of youths who have been reported as causing a nuisance on the island
• We have conducted joint patrols with Spelthorne Borough Council Street Scenes Officers on Saturday mornings to deal with any campers.
• We have spoken to a number of youths and their parents regarding their children’s behaviour whilst on Rivermead Island and they have now signed up to a Firewise Course run by Surrey Fire and Rescue aimed at educating the youths in the dangers of setting fires.
• One youth has also been banned from a local shop after causing anti social behaviour at the premises.

Unfortunately we have received a number of reports over recent weeks and we will continue to patrol this location in an effort to resolve the issues.

Fordbridge Road Car Park
You told us:
We have received reports from residents in Fordbridge Road and the surrounding area that youths congregate in the car park and drive their vehicles in an anti social manner as well as shouting and swearing in the early hours of the morning

We acted:
• We have conducted patrols at this location throughout the night in order to tackle the issue
• We have informed the Roads Policing Unit of this issue for them to patrol and deal with the anti social use of vehicles
• We have asked Spelthorne Borough Council for signage reminding users of the park and car park to be considerate of local residents at all times however this is not possible at this time.
• We have asked Spelthorne Borough Council whether it would be possible to put a barrier on the car park at night time however this is not possible at this time.
• We have attended incidents reported to us by residents and dealt with them effectively.

There has been a decrease in reports received regarding this location but please do not hesitate to report the anti social use of vehicles at this location so that we can deal with them effectively. We will continue to patrol this location throughout the Summer.

Parking at school times in Green Street and Nursery Road
You told us:
We have been contacted by residents to advise us that parents of children attending schools in this area are parking their vehicles at start and finish times in an obstructive and dangerous position.

We acted:
• We have conducted patrols in this area on a daily basis.
• The Council have recently placed yellow lines in Green Street and Nursery Road and the surrounding roads in an effort to tackle the problem of parents parking in inappropriate locations when dropping off or collecting their children. Although this has alleviated the parking in this location some drivers are now parking fully on the pavement which is not acceptable.
• The Parking Enforcement Officers for Spelthorne Borough Council have been conducting regular patrols in this location and carrying out enforcement on any vehicles parked on yellow lines.
• We have issued a number of warning notices to vehicles for parking on the pavement and have moved a number of vehicles off the pavement.
• We have conducted school surgeries at a number of Sunbury schools in an effort to educate parents as to how and where they should be parking their vehicles when dropping off or picking up their children from school.

This priority will be closed during the Summer holidays however we will continue to monitor the location when the school term begins again in September.

General update

Drive SMART Campaign
On Tuesday 13th July 2010 we held an Operation Smart Panel Meeting which was well attended by residents where issues such as speeding, anti social use of vehicles and parking were discussed.

The Lower Sunbury Safer Neighbourhood Team will now be working to tackle the issues raised by residents at the meeting and will be conducting speed enforcement throughout the village in an effort to slow drivers in the village down.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any concerns regarding anti social driving, speeding or dangerous or obstructive parking in Lower Sunbury.

Car Key Burglaries

Unfortunately there have been a number of burglaries in Lower Sunbury since my last update.

Offenders are currently gaining access via front doors and rear patio doors and taking car keys for high value vehicles parked on the driveways of the properties before driving off in the resident’s vehicle.

Please do not leave your keys visually near to windows or your front door and either take them to bed with you or place them elsewhere where they can’t be seen. Also if you have access to a garage please make use of it and park your vehicles in it so to not highlight high value vehicles to offenders.

With the hot weather it is very tempting to leave windows open throughout the day. If you leave a room for a period of time please shut the window. Offenders will take any opportunity to gain entry to a property quickly in order to steal items.

If you would like a visit from the Lower Sunbury Safer Neighbourhood Team to offer you some Crime Prevention Advice please let us know.

Sunbury Regatta
This year’s regatta is on Saturday 14th August 2010. There will be a police presence at the event this year so to ensure the event runs smoothly. Lets hope the sun comes out!

Good Work
On 5th May 2010 police were called to attend a disused public house in Sunbury following a report that three males were taking tiles off the roof. Police arrived and the three males were arrested on suspicion of theft. Following the investigation into this offence one of the males has been issued with a caution.

River Patrols
On Tuesday 27th July 2010 I conducted patrols with the Environment Agency along the River Thames in Sunbury. During my patrols I was able to deal with a group of youths behaving anti socially on Rivermead Island.

Should you have any concerns regarding crime or disorder occurring on the River Thames please do not hesitate to report it to Surrey Police so that we can attempt to deal with it promptly and effectively.

Written by FIN: 3885

Actions taken on your neighbourhood priorities

Fordbridge Road Car Park
You told us:
We have received reports from residents in Fordbridge Road and the surrounding area that youths congregate in the car park and drive their vehicles in an anti social manner as well as shouting and swearing in the early hours of the morning

We acted:
• We have conducted patrols at this location throughout the night in order to tackle the issue
• We have informed the Roads Policing Unit of this issue for them to patrol and deal with the anti social use of vehicles
• We have asked Spelthorne Borough Council for signage reminding users of the park and car park to be considerate of local residents at all times however this is not possible at this time.
• We have asked Spelthorne Borough Council whether it would be possible to put a barrier on the car park at night time however this is not possible at this time.
• We have attended incidents reported to us by residents and dealt with them effectively.

Please report any anti social use of vehicles or people behaving in an anti social manner so that we can deal with it promptly and effectively.

Rivermead Island
You told us:
Since the weather has improved we have received a number of calls from residents stating that large groups of youths have congregated on Rivermead Island and caused criminal damage and anti social behaviour in this location.

We acted:
• We have conducted patrols at the weekends late into the evening which is when the reports are being received
• We have obtained the details of large groups of youths who have been reported as causing a nuisance on the island
• We have informed the council of the reports we have received regarding members of the public lighting BBQ’s on the island and requested they put up a clear sign indicating that BBQ’s and fires are not allowed on the island.
• We have spoken to a number of youths and their parents regarding their children’s behaviour whilst on Rivermead Island and they have now signed up to a Firewise Course run by Surrey Fire and Rescue aimed at educating the youths in the dangers of setting fires.

We have seen a decrease in reports from residents regarding this location since we made it a priority area however we will continue to patrol this area throughout the Summer to ensure it stays this way.

Parking at school times in Green Street and Nursery Road
You told us:
We have been contacted by residents to advise us that parents of children attending schools in this area are parking their vehicles at start and finish times in an obstructive and dangerous position.

We acted:
• We have conducted patrols in this area on a daily basis.
• The Council have recently placed yellow lines in Green Street and Nursery Road and the surrounding roads in an effort to tackle the problem of parents parking in inappropriate locations when dropping off or collecting their children. Although this has alleviated the parking in this location some drivers are now parking fully on the pavement which is not acceptable.
• The Parking Enforcement Officers for Spelthorne Borough Council have been conducting regular patrols in this location and carrying out enforcement on any vehicles parked on yellow lines.
• We have issued a number of warning notices to vehicles for parking on the pavement and have moved a number of vehicles off the pavement.

We will continue to monitor this issue and attempt to resolve this issue until the schools close for the Summer holidays.

General update
Auto Crime in Lower Sunbury
Unfortunately there have been a number of incidents where cars and vans have been broken into and items stolen from them, or where a vehicle has had the number plates stolen.

Please can I remind you of the importance of not leaving valuable items in your vehicle. This includes not hiding valuables under the seats or in the glove box.

I would particularly like to highlight the importance of not leaving tools in vans or cars. I know it is hard work taking your tools inside every day but it is better than having the hassle, upset and the cost of replacing them if they are stolen!

World Cup 2010
I am pleased to report that we had no public order issues in Lower Sunbury as a result of the World Cup which is great news!

Drive SMART Campaign
I would like to update you with the work the Lower Sunbury Neighbourhood Team and other officers from Surrey Police along with representatives from VOSA (Vehicle and Operator Services Agency) and Surrey County Council as well as members of the Lower Sunbury Community Speedwatch team conducted on Thursday 24th June 2010 in relation to tackling anti social driving in Sunbury.

Officers were positioned on Staines Road East, Green Street, Manor Lane, Lower Hampton Road and The Avenue, Sunbury maintaining a highly visible presence and dealing with any offences committed by drivers along these roads.

The results of this morning’s session are as follows:
• 54 vehicles were stopped
• 17 drivers were issued a driver alert warning for speeding
• 34 drivers were given an educational intervention in relation to not wearing a seatbelt
• 2 drivers were given an educational intervention in relation to driving whilst using a mobile phone
• 1 driver was given a Fixed Penalty Notice for speeding (£60 fine and 3 points)
• 2 drivers were issued Fixed Penalty Notices for driving without a current MOT for the vehicle (£60 fine)
• One vehicle was immediately prohibited from being driven by VOSA as a result of it having 4 illegal tyres
• One driver was issued a £200 fine, 6 points on his driving licence and was required to buy car insurance at the roadside due to him driving whilst being uninsured.

Surrey Police are committed to tackling anti social driving and the Lower Sunbury Safer Neighbourhood Team will be conducting patrols in various locations in the village at various times so please make sure you are not speeding, driving whilst using your mobile phone and that you are wearing your seatbelt at all times.

Drive Smart Panel Meeting
We are aware that a large number of residents have concerns regarding speeding, parking and other anti social driving of drivers in Lower Sunbury.

As a result of this we will be holding an Operation Smart Panel Meeting on Tuesday 13th July 2010 at 7.30pm in The Manning Room, behind St Ignatius Church, Green Street, Sunbury.

This meeting will be an opportunity for residents to raise any concerns they have specifically in relation to anti social driving within Lower Sunbury including speeding and parking.

Please take advantage of this opportunity so that we can work together to resolve issues in the village relating to anti social driving.

Burglaries update
Unfortunately there have been a number of burglaries in Lower Sunbury since my last update.

Offenders are currently gaining access via front doors and rear patio doors and taking car keys before leaving the address in the resident’s vehicle.

Please do not leave your keys visually near to windows or your front door and either take them to bed with you or place them elsewhere where they can’t be seen.

With the hot weather it is very tempting to leave windows open throughout the day. If you leave a room for a period of time please shut the window. Offenders will take any opportunity to gain entry to a property quickly in order to steal i

Written by FIN: 3885