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Headington Forum
 An
elected_Mayor_for_Oxford
Headington_Police_News_Update_May_2008_
Marston_and_Woodfarm_neighbourhood_update_
Oxford through_to_the_finals_of_Council_Worker_of_the_Year
Headington_Author_-_ BRIAN_ALDISS_AT_OXFORD_PLAYHOUSE
Proposed_Abingdon_Resevoir
Missing_Headington man_returns_home_–_Oxford_ _
Traffic_collision_-_Headington_
Headington_south,_Police neighbourhood_update_
Bury_Knowle,_Police_neighbourhood_update_ _
Doorstep_sellers_- Warning!
Headington_News_Update
Headington Police News Update 8 May 2008
Its
clear in a town which invented the road sign for failed roads, perhaps we
should invent a new one for Oxford itself, a failed city sign. The low
turnout of 32.59% at the recent local elections, together with no
single party able to win a majority of the city council seats; means Oxford
will suffer yet another year of ineffectual governance.
Clearly, if we
are to improve local democracy in Oxford, keeping the current system is not
an option. If we are to improve accountability with the public, create a
stronger focal point for business and inward investors and ensure we have
effective decision-making for the whole of the Oxford community and not
simply for council services, we need to have an elected Mayor for Oxford.
I suggest Oxford's
many local residents and business pressure groups get together in the
interests of Oxford's future and campaign for an elected Mayor for this fine
city.
Since sadly as
the Oxford Times said recently:
“Sadly, it
is unlikely that the present crop of councillors will seriously consider
such a proposal. After all, they would have to concede power.”
For information:
About getting the ball rolling
see
http://www.nlgn.org.uk/public/elected-mayors/information-advice/
Why
elected mayors are making a difference see..
http://www.councillor.gov.uk/Templates/Internal.asp?NodeID=89957
About Oxford Time support for an
elected Mayor see
http://www.theoxfordtimes.net/news/leader/display.var.2256459.0.turning_on_voters.php
Headington North neighbourhood update
The second NAG took place on 16 April. The three NAG priorities were
discussed and the results of actions set at the previous meeting were
reported back to the group:-
1. Speeding
The neighbourhood team have conducted some speeding surveys in the area.
These have focused on Old High Street, London Road and Headley way. The
surveys were conducted between 11am and 1.40pm and recorded approximately
1,200 vehicles over the three sites. The results of the survey showed that
vehicles recorded speeding were negligible (0.00% in Old High Street, 0.03%
in London Road and 0.09% in Headley way). Members of the NAG who live in Old
High Street requested that further surveys be done at different times of the
day so over the next few weeks we have arranged to do this to gain further
information. We will soon have access to a SID (Speed Indicator Devise)
which will give us greater flexibility as a team to be proactive in
recording this type of data.
2. Anti-social behaviour
PC Miles organised a successful operation to target anti-social behaviour on
the area. This used officers from other areas to ‘flood’ Headington using a
high visibility approach to both detect and prevent offending. The patrols
focused around the licensed premises on our area which we recognise could be
a hot-spot for offending. The operation resulted in several arrests and stop
checks of individuals. It was also a useful intelligence gathering exercise.
We have worked hard to build up our excellent Pubwatch group which is
extremely well attended and supported by the local licensees who are keen to
work with us in order to prevent crime and disorder. We recognise that with
the summer months coming we will need to stay focused on this issue and
continue our work with the licensees and staff at Brookes University to
deter any offending. The team frequently patrol Bury Knowle Park to ensure
that the park is being used as it is intended.
3. Cycling on the pavement
The neighbourhood team have started to conduct surveys to assess the problem
of cycling on the pavement. So far four surveys have been done over a two
hour period with the highest figures being recorded on 28 April where 33
offences were recorded between 3pm and 5pm at Headington Carfax. We have
further surveys to do before we will have enough information to provide
accurate figures for assessment; however this is obviously an issue that we
deal with if we come across it on a day-to-day basis.
Although we are still collecting data for analysis for two of our priorities
we are working hard to make an impact in these areas. We have currently had
two probationer attachments to our team who have assisted with high profile
patrols and the issuing of fixed penalty notices. We have a busy month ahead
with various operations planned which we look forward to reporting back in
the next newsletter. On 28 May following the next NAG we will be at the JR2
with our mobile police station on a crime reduction day. We plan to be there
from approximately 1pm and will look forward to meeting any local residents
who would like to come and see us. In the meantime we welcome any
information on local issues or offences that you may have. Please contact
the neighbourhood team on 08458 505 505, by email to
HeadingtonNorth@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk or contact Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please note that the team are not always on
duty however we will respond to your non-urgent enquiries as soon as
possible. For emergencies please call 999.
Crimewatch
Over the last two days there
has been a spate of distraction burglaries across Thames Valley Police force
area. Although none has occurred in the Oxford Police area, this is a reminder
to be vigilent and if you know of a vulnerable member of your family,friend or
neighbour please keep a wathful eye out on their behalf.
Issued: Wednesday, 07 May
2008, 16:24:41
Marston and Woodfarm
neighbourhood update
By Neighbourhood Special Officer, PC Jon Shaw
The Third NAG meeting is scheduled to take place on the 12 May. During the last
month the team have been working very hard to complete the scanning phase of the
three neighbourhood priorities. I am pleased to report the following updates:-
1) Speeding
During April we carried out the covert speed surveys in Headley Way, Marston
Road, Marsh Lane, Croft Road and Marston Ferry Road. The surveys were carried
out by the Safer Roads Partnership with the assistance of one of the PCSOs.
During the survey we measured the speeds of 1,746 vehicles, of this 0.09% of the
vehicles were over the speed limit. The majority of the vehicles that were over
the speed limit were travelling one or two miles per hour over. The road that
had the most offending vehicles was Marston Ferry Road with 12 recorded
travelling in excess of 46mph. We will now be carrying out a three day survey on
the Marston Ferry Road to establish the worst times of offending, I will report
back once this information has been received. I have also secured the loan of
our own SID (speed indicator devise) which we will be deploying on the roads
where speeding is evident but not enforceable.
2) Anti-Social Behaviour
I have now received a date for the full anti-social behaviour order (ASBO)
hearing which is to be held at Oxford Magistrates Court in early June. We have
started conducting a survey of all the residents of Plowman Tower to establish
what and where ASB is happening, who is responsible, and when and why it is
happening. Once this has been completed we will collate the results and deliver
them at the next NAG meeting. We have now drawn up six Acceptable Behaviour
Contracts (ABCs) for youths living on the Northway Estate; these have been sent
to the CANAcT team for approval and signing. Once they are approved a meeting
will be set up with the child and their parents and the contract issued. We will
then work with the individuals to try and stop them from offending and breaching
the ABC. If information does come to light that they are ignoring the contract
we will look at further measures, this may result in the issuing of an ASBO.
3) Parking
The PCSOs have been assessing the extent of the parking problems over the last
few months at peak times around the schools and speaking with offending
motorists. It has been identified that motorists are parking on the zig-zags
outside St Josephs and St Michael’s primary schools and on junctions fully on
the pavement around Arlington Drive / William Street / John Garne Way and Eden
Drive. We will now be liaising with the head teachers at the schools and
arranging to attend and deal with the offending motorists by issuing £30 fines
for obstruction or £60 and three points for stopping in a pelican controlled
area. This is a long term strategy, and with the assistance of the schools we
will be publishing our activities in the newsletters and hoping to reduce the
problem.
During the last month PCSO John Cope has started to set up a Neighbourhood Watch
on Northway Estate. He has already got co-ordinators for Plowman Tower and
Chaundy House. If you are interested in becoming a co-ordinator or just want to
know what is involved please email the Marston email box and I will forward your
details on to John and he will contact you directly. I would like to thank the
community for the information we have been receiving from them. Without this we
would not have been able to issue the amount of ABCs we have done. Please keep
reporting incidents as they happen and we will continue to collate evidence and
deal with offenders. Please contact us on 08458 505 505, email
MarstonNorthway@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk or contact Crimestoppers
anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please note that the Marston email box is not
monitored seven days a week and if the team are on rest days it may take up to
five days for us to respond. Please be patient and we will deal with your
requests or information on our return. In an emergency dial 999.
Oxford City Council through to the finals of Council Worker of the Year
On 1st May 2008 it was announced that Oxford City Council’s Area A Cleansing
have been short listed in the Team category for the Council Worker of the Year
Awards 2008.
Thames Valley Police nominated the team in recognition of the support they give
the police in cleaning up after the effects of drug misuse and homelessness.
There were 130 nominations in the Team category and only six finalists were
chosen.
Members of the public will ultimately decide the winners in each category. Films
about each of the finalists will be available to view on
www.localgovernmentchannel.com
or by watching Local Government Today on the Community Channel.
Oxford residents will be able to show their support for Oxford by voting online
or texting LGATV 6 Oxford to 80039
Voting will be allowed up until 1200 on 3rd July when the winners will be
announced.
Peter Sloman, Chief Executive says “I am proud that we have been nominated for
this award. I think the residents of Oxford should also be proud that we have a
team that has been recognised nationally as providing a great service.
“I am pleased that the nomination has been made by a policeman that works on a
day to day basis with the team so really understands what it takes to do their
job.
“I would encourage everyone to log on onto the website and vote for Oxford.”
Jeremy Vine, the Council Worker of the Year Awards host says: "Council workers
so often get blamed for everything, even the stuff that wasn't their fault.
“These awards are fantastic because they show the standards that are being set
by people who really understand what public service is. It's not about politics,
it's sheer hard work that will scoop these awards - on a good day a local
council can connect with voters in a way that Westminster and Brussels really
struggle to."
Sir Simon Milton, chairman of the Local Government Association says, “I am
delighted by the number of entries from local authorities to the Council Worker
of the Year awards.
”Council workers across the country all too often go above and beyond the call
of duty and help local people in some of the most incredible ways. These awards
are a chance to recognise the tireless work that they do to improve the lives of
millions of people across the country each year."
David Brindle, The Guardian's Public Services Editor, said: "Council workers
make a vital contribution to the quality of our daily lives, but all too often
we take it for granted. These awards are to be warmly congratulated for
reminding us of that contribution and for celebrating the very best in public
service."
Friday 30 May at 5pm
Fans of science fiction writer Brian Aldiss will be in for a treat on Friday 30
May when the writer visits Oxford Playhouse to give a talk on the ways in which
science, literature and life are linked.
Best known as a science fiction writer, Brian Aldiss is also an important
mainstream novelist, a poet, an essayist, a dramatist, a struggling artist, an
SF historian and a critic whose work has been published in dozens of countries
around the world. His book Trillion Year Spree is the definitive history of
science fiction, and tells a story in which Oxford has played a surprisingly
large part.
Aldiss’ visit to the Playhouse will be a rare opportunity to hear on of the UK’s
leading authors talk about the influences that have shaped his work and the work
of others in his field.
A book signing will follow the event.
For tickets to see Brian Aldiss at Oxford Playhouse on Friday 30 May at 5pm,
call the Box Office on 01865 305305 or visit
www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Speaker: Thames Water
Date
30 April 2008
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Time
18.00 to 22.00
Location
Oxford Brookes University
Headington Campus
Gipsy Lane
Oxford OX3 0BP
About this event
Thames Water’s plans for a large new reservoir
near Abingdon have been put on hold following a
Government decision to conduct a wide-ranging review
of the strategy for water supply in the UK. This
review will be published early in 2008 and it will
then become clear whether the place for the
reservoir will proceed and in what form. We have
arranged the presentation from Thames Water to
follow the publication of the strategy to provide a
prompt update on the proposals. No one knows the
outcome of the review – however, the development of
the plans to date provides an interesting insight
into the issues that must be addressed in planning a
large environmentally sensitive project of this
sort.
This lecture is likely to generate a lot of
interest and there is a small possibility of changes
if the publication of the strategy is delayed.
Registration Please visit the
Oxford website to register.
Cost Free of charge.
Programme
18.00 - refreshments 18.30 - lecture starts 22.00
- lecture finishes
Organiser IET Oxford Network
Missing Headington man returns home – Oxford
A man who went missing from his home in Headington
has returned home safe and well.
Steven Williams, aged 40, of Leiden Road, Headington, was reported
missing to police on Wednesday (16/4). He returned home over the
weekend.
We would like to thank the media and public for their help in
tracing him.
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Traffic collision -
Headington
Police are appealing for witnesses following a
non-stop collision in Headington on Thursday (10/4).
Shortly before midnight, a cyclist was involved in a collision with
a small black vehicle on Old High Street, by Summerfield
supermarket. The cyclist, a 22-year-old man, suffered minor
injuries.
PC Richard Saywell, of Abingdon Roads Policing Department, said: “I
appeal to the driver of the car to contact police as it is an
offence to drive away from an incident like this without passing on
your details. I also appeal to anyone who witnessed the collision to
get in touch.”
Anyone with information about the incident is urged to contact
Abingdon Roads Policing Department via Thames Valley Police Enquiry
Centre on 0845 8 505 505. If you don’t want to speak to police and
don’t want to leave your name contact the Crimestoppers charity on
0800 555 111.
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Headington south, Quarry and Woodfarm neighbourhood update
Update from Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Kidd.
The Headington South, Quarry and Wood Farm neighbourhood priorities are:-
• Anti-social behaviour
• Speeding
• Parking
We are currently working with a group of five local youths responsible for anti-
social behaviour in and around Wood Farm. In connection with this we are also
working along side Oxford City Council’s Crime and Nuisance Action Team (CANAcT)
and are in the process of sorting out acceptable behaviour contracts (ABC) for
these youths. The recent problems with youths causing anti-social behaviour seem
to be calming down in Broad Oak and outside the Wood Farm community centre on
Titup Hall Drive.
A speed indication device (SID) has been used on the Slade, Girdlestone Road,
and Windmill Road and over the next week it will be used on Nuffield Road,
Masons Road, Quarry High Street, Quarry Hollow and Quarry Road. The use of this
device will help us to identify the roads that have a speed problem and enable
us to conduct speed enforcement operations in the right place. We will include a
summary of the results of the survey in the next newsletter.
Work is still ongoing with parking issues in the area, and has drastically
improved outside, both, Windmill and Wood Farm primary schools. Tickets are
still being issued and drivers are being educated on ‘parking awareness’. The
number of tickets we are issuing is suggesting that the issue of parking is
getting better but we still need to keep a vigilant eye on the situation.
Pupils at Windmill Primary School held a road safety week and designed two
excellent parking banners that have been put on the railings outside the school
and were featured in the Oxford Mail last week with some very excited looking
children. It is well worth a trip to the school to have a look but remember if
you are driving please don’t park outside the school to view them.
Bury Knowle, Barton, Risinghurst and Sandhills Police neighbourhood update
25 April
We are pleased to announce that the Barton office is now
officially open. We now are going to hold weekly surgeries at the community
centre every Tuesday. The time is to be confirmed, but could be from 11am to
2pm. The idea of this is for members of the community to come and speak to us
about their problems, concerns or just about anything else they want to talk
about! The official launch of the office coincided with the launch of the
Underhill Circus development, which took place on 11 March. The police team
enjoyed being part of the event and would like to thank everyone who played a
part in making it an enjoyable evening.
As a result of the public consultations held during February we now have our new
three priorities that we are going to focus on. They are as follows:
Priority 1 – Antisocial Behaviour
We have identified two areas which are causing the most concern for local
residents: The shops at Underhill Circus, Barton and the ball park in Richards
Way, Risinghurst. We have been closely monitoring both areas for a long time as
they were also priorities last year. Several methods were used in order to
reduce the amount of antisocial behaviour taking place in both locations.
However we do not intend to rest on our laurels. We intend to fully re-analyse
the problems, in co-operation with all other partnership agencies, in order to
find long term solutions to the problems.
Priority 2 – Parking
This is a new priority that has been raised due to concerns expressed by the
residents of Risinghurst. We aim to tackle the issue of obstructive parking
(particularly at McDonalds) and parking on grass verges causing the grass to
degrade. We will liase heavily with Oxford City and County Council in order to
try and resolve this issue to the best of our abilities.
Priority 3 – Drugs
This is another priority that has carried over from last year. The main area of
concern is spread over the Barton Estate. During the past year Thames Valley
Police and Crime and Nuisance Action Team (Canact) have worked well to reduce
the drug problem on the estate. An example of this was the high profile closure
of an address on the estate which was previously used as a drugs house. We will
be looking to continue in this vein throughout this year.
Officers have already begun the work required to tackle not only the above
issues, but others problems faced by members of our community. Four arrests have
been made recently in connection with antisocial behaviour in the area and more
are to follow. We are also cracking down on the drug problem in the area.
Details of this will follow in the next newsletter. We have now completed the
first round of Environmental Visual Audits (EVAs) for our area. This has been an
interesting process and we have enjoyed working alongside the City Council.
April 21, 2008 ·
.Doorstep sellers
are in the Oxford area at the moment . They are selling Fish
and are believed to be from Newcastle,they have broad
accents so should be easily distinguished. Trading Standards
are interested in their whereabouts.If spotted please call
Trading Standards on 0845 051 0845 option 2 and inform them
of the location and if possible any details of the vehicle,
colour or registration.Thank you for your time regarding
this matter.If you have any information about the above
message that is of an urgent nature please contact our
police enquiry centre on 0845 8 505 505 and state you are
responding to this Ringmaster message.
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