Neighbourhood watch (Feb 2006)

Cecily King writes: "We are hoping to set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme for our four streets over the next few months. The statistics we have recently seen for our area suggest that it would be wise to have such a scheme in place. I will be delivering information to each residence with the hope of speaking to many of you about whether or not you would be interested in taking part. Do look out for the leaflet, which will include a tear-off slip for you to complete and return to the Neighbourhood Watch Coordinator" For further information, or to get involved, please contact Cecily at cecily.king@sjtl.org.
The police and tackling crime in the area (Feb 2006)
The committee has recently had a meeting with Sergeant Samantha Dyson, who will be head of the Stockwell Safer Neighbourhood Team. The current police strategy is to canvass a neighbourhood to find out which crimes most concern local people. They will then concentrate on the top three crimes. The police aim to allay fear of crime and concentrate on major crimes, rather than a zero tolerance approach to all crimes. The crime statistics for Albert Square, Aldebert Terrace and Wilkinson Street between 1 November and 1 January were four reported crimes, two thefts from vehicles and two robberies (muggings). There is obviously a need for vigilance - and please do not leave valuables in motor vehicles. Let's make this a CRIME FREE zone. Contacting the police For all matters the nearest 24-hour operational police station is at Kennington - 0208 649 1212. If you see a crime taking place - 999.

Traffic calming (Feb 2006)

LAlthough 75% of local people voted in favour of the traffic calming scheme covering the area between South Lambeth Road, Clapham Road, Fentiman Road and Albert Square Transport for London have decided that they need to review the scheme because of a change in legislation! However our heroic Lambeth engineers will be pressing on with as much of the scheme as they can during the current financial year. Watch this space.

Street lighting (Feb 2006)

Good news on improving the street lighting locally - while retaining the historic charactdr of our area. Our area will be one of the first to be relit in a new improvement scheme later this year. Work should commence in October - and there are penalty clauses in the contract if the contractor is late in delivering. The style of lighting column will be a copy of our original Lambeth gas lights - but electric. There will be more lights than at present with a greater luminosity. If the lights go out ... If you have a defective light outside your house you should report it to 020 7926 9000. Please make sure you get a job number and a time for the repair, in case it doesn't happen and you need to ring again.

Obituary (Feb 2006)

Alethea Hayter died on 10 January. She was 94 and had been a part of our community for many years. Her last public engagement locally was as our "oldest resident" at the unveiling of the Arthur Rackham plaque. As ever, Alethea was alert, interested and interesting. We shall miss her very much, especially in Aldebert Terrace. A memorial service will be held at Lady Margaret Hall College, Oxford on 18 February at 3pm.