Linden and Edmonton Residents Association. Report. January 2008

There has been for sometime trouble in the area regarding unsavoury residents living above elderly and disabled tenants.
This has been of concern because of the behaviour of same. The police have been called on numerous occasions because of     rows and fighting and the damaging of property. This has caused grief to surrounding neighbours. The property was let to a young   man who moved in, his girlfriend and her children, who also in turn wreaked havoc in the area. After a long spell of upset with the help of P.C. Gareth Jones and other police officers, and not forgetting our Councillor Julian Mineur,
Blackpool Housing officers etc; the young man gave up his tenancy and his girlfriend and family were evicted. I can now report that things are very different. It has taken sometime but if people work together to eliminate these situations then harmony can be restored. It is the view of the majority that it doesn't work to place these people above the elderly, not forgetting there are some very considerate young people about. This is not the only case of its kind I feel sure it is happening in other areas. But thankfully ours has been rectified.   Thanks to all concerned.

650 HOUSEHOLDS/AGM

That’s how many are covered by this Neighbourhood Watch!  “So where are they all?” wondered a member of the committee, “Why don’t we see more at our meetings?”  Don’t be shy, come and meet your neighbours on 28^th February AGM (cricket Club 7.30pm), and hear how we are keeping our area safer and cleaner.  There’ll be light refreshments and a raffle.  You can bring children. 
Would you like to be on the committee, or nominate someone?  Ask Eddie for a nomination form and get it back to him by 14th February if possible.  And Eddie welcomes any ideas about moving our work forward.

“THE SQUEAKY WHEEL GETS THE OIL”

That’s what Councillor Gary Bell told us at our last meeting.  In other words, if you want something done, raise your voice!  The Watch Group can advise you on who to contact, e.g. police or council offices.

We also regularly raise issues at the Area Forums, which are considered community wide problems.
WHAT’S HAPPENING NOW?

The drug dealing (class, A) in Barlow Crescent (in front of the Cricket Club) is being closely monitored by the Watch and police. We hope for updates on this soon.

Thanks go to the cricket club for helping facilitate our meetings by allowing us to use their first class venue.

We have a warning about street sellers offering stolen goods.  Beware  - don’t buy anything offered to you by a stranger on the street.

Continued efforts are being made to keep our alleys clean.  Be neighbourly  - pick up litter when you spot it!  And for real messes and fly tipping, alert NEAT on 478456.

 Plans to make Blackpool a ‘No cold calling’ zone are going ahead.  It will happen.

Residents are urging each other to support our local businesses.  We are lucky still to have small shops and other businesses on Whitegate Drive, and it’s up to us all to use them or lose        them.  What’s more, in doing so we get to know each other and so build a feeling of community.

WHAT THE POLICE TELL US

In the weeks before Christmas, police report that in and around our patch there were five house burglaries, three stolen vehicles and many thefts from vehicles.  They appeal to us all to keep our doors locked even when we’re in the house, and to close windows even in bedrooms where it might be possible for a burglar to reach the window by climbing.  

For vehicles, they offer these guidelines

·         Never leave car documents or spare keys in a car.

·         Make sure your tax disc is secure.

·         When driving, keep doors locked and windows up. 

·         Keep bags and phones out of view.

·         At home, don’t leave car keys where they can be seen from outside.

      Look out for a new Community Engagement Vehicle, a white van, which you may see around the Fylde.  It offers information from police, fire and rescue services and charities.

Numbers to call to contact the police:

For our local Bobbies, 01253 607012

For Blackpool Division, 01253 293933

For Lancashire Police, 0845 125 3545

For instant emergencies only, 999

ROUGH SLEEPERS

What do you do if you find a rough sleeper or are approached by a homeless person?  Ring 477477 (town hall) or Street life 294477 in daytime, or at night try Night Shelter 291038, Oasis 623205  - or the Salvation Army day or night 299835.

PACT AND PACM

Confused?  PACT is Police and Community Together.  PACM is Police Authority Community Meetings.  Still confused?  Don’t worry, it’s simple. 

As for PACM, it meets quarterly in Blackpool and our chair is now also vice-chair of that gathering, so he will keep us informed of proceedings there.  Do ask us if you want to know more.

 
Eric Doddemeade and Eddie Fewings, leaders in our own Watch Group, have been to see how a Preston PACT group works and have been able to make useful contributions about a constitution for our own PACT.  This is an example of how Eric and Eddie are liasing with many community groups.  They include Lancashire Neighbourhood Watch Forum, Area Forums (soon to be replaced), Stanley Park, Be Safe Blackpool, Blackpool Residents Federation, and others. 
Our thanks to Eddie and Eric for all they undertake, and to our councillors for their expressed willingness to help.  See the top of this newsletter for telephone numbers for them all.

Thanks go to the community for supporting us and helping to deliver our Newsletter, attend PACT meetings and supporting each other.