FURTHER OPEN, QUARTERLY MEETING OF LOCAL RESIDENTS AND THE POLICE

Sutton police station

The police met residents of Sutton South Ward again on the evening of 15 January 2025, at Devonshire Avenue school. There are open, public meetings held quarterly at which the police discuss the policing of the Ward with local residents. We were addressed by our Ward Constable, Constable Robyn Skivens, who went through the crime statistics for the Ward. Sutton has a lower crime rate than most outer London boroughs and our Ward has one of the lowest crime rates in Sutton. However, crime always has a significant impact on the victim and public concern remains high. The draft minutes of the meeting are as below.

SUTTON SOUTH COMMUNITY / POLICE MEETING. 15 JANUARY 2025
Attended by PC Robyn Skivens and PCSO Helen Maguire for the police.
A report was given on main crime trends from 1 September to the date of the
meeting.
DRUG OFFENCES
There had been 18 drug offences, mainly possession of drugs, mainly cannabis.
While this was higher than normal the increase was partly attributable to a
special police operation at Sutton train station.
Four of these crimes were the interception by the Border Force of drug
shipments. Where such a shipment is to premises in our Ward it will count in
our statistics.
BURGLARY
There had been 21 burglaries or attempted burglaries. This included residential
burglaries, burglaries of garages and sheds, and some burglaries of businesses.
It was noted that there was usually a seasonal increase in burglary at this time
of year as it was darker earlier.
There had been eight residential burglaries. However, some that had been
reported in sheltered accommodation in the Ward were later disproved and
attributed to dementia. A disturbing case was that of a landlord who was able
to let himself into a flat and commit theft. Two burglaries of garages had
involved theft of bicycles.
Mention was made of a shop in Brighton Road where the window was
smashed and the wooden panel that was then put in place to secure the
premises was pulled away to facilitate burglary. Mention was made of the
theft of tools from a construction site in the Ward.
Some burglaries had involved the theft of keys, which were then used to
commit further offences (theft of a car key leading to theft of a car). The police
stressed the need to make sure keys were kept out of sight – if the keys can be
seen from your letterbox you are inviting crime.

VEHICLE CRIME

There had been 14 instances of vehicle crime (theft of vehicles, damage to
vehicles, theft from vehicles). The police stressed the need to avoid leaving
anything of value on display in your car, or in the car at all. An unusual crime
had been the theft of an excavator and a dumper from the road works in
Brighton Road.
THEFT
There had been 23 crimes in a category the police described as “theft and
kindred (to theft)” events. This included shoplifting, parcel theft, theft of pedal
cycles and mobile phones. Examples mentioned included theft of scrap metal,
theft of a wheelie bin and theft of a wedding ring by distraction techniques.
MAJOR CRIMES
There had been nine major, violent crimes in the Ward. This included several
robberies at the train station, a large group altercation outside a restaurant, a
fight between two drug users, and a concerning incident of a woman who was
followed from the station and robbed. There were also two incidents of arson,
of a bin and of a Ford transit. A ULEZ camera was deliberately damaged.
There was an incident where a drug user was searched and a knife, and bladed
articles, were found to be in his possession.
There was a disturbing incident of an anti-semitic symbol being daubed on a
wall outside the synagogue in Cedar Road. There had been a succession of
incidents related to a woman living in Cedar Road who had engaged in anti-
social activities that had attracted a community of drug users to her premises.
This was now the subject of police reports to the DPS that were expected to
lead to her being charged with serious offences.
SPEEDING
The police had been conducting a programme of visits to local care homes and
sheltered housing to talk about scams. Residents had raised with them
concerns about speeding in Cavendish Road, which had led to police action in
that road. There was a discussion of speeding in local roads including
Chalgrove Road, Langley Park Road, The Ridgway and Cavendish Road. The
police had been carrying out speed checks in Chalgrove Road and Cavendish
Road. The action in Cavendish Road had led to twelve drivers receiving
warnings. The police would consider further action against speeding in local
roads, subject to resources.

OTHER MATTERS DISCUSSED
Staffing levels: There should be in theory be a third officer on the Ward to
support Robyn and Helen, but they were coping.
The number of “extractions” when they were called away to join police
exercises elsewhere in London, or at the Croydon custody suite, remained an
issue of concern but was now running close to 35% of their time rather than
the 50% it had once been.
Mention was made of local concern about a story that a body had been
discovered at a house in Egmont Road. The police assured the meeting that
there was no wider implication of this incident.
The next meeting was tentatively scheduled for Wednesday 14 May at Devonshire Avenue school (7pm) subject to the police checking their work rota.
The meeting thanked Robyn for coming back from leave to attend the meeting
and thanked the officers for their work for the community in dealing with
crime in the Ward. The meeting thanked Fiona Ostler for letting us meet at the school. The date of the next meeting was provisionally set as Wednesday 14 May, at Devonshire Avenue primary school and thought continues to be given to what could be done to better publicise the meeting and get a better attendance.

Constable Skivens, Louise, Trish and Richard with other Ward police officers at the Sutton South Hello Christmas party

SUPPORTING THE POLICE CADETS

Sutton South Councillors were concerned to learn about changes proposed to the organisation of the Police Cadets, who meet at a school in our ward. Currently there are over 120 cadets. However, the decision has been made to close junior cadets and cut the remaining senior cadets to just 46. Their future programme is also being severely curtailed. This will have a major impact on the youth of this borough who will no longer have the opportunity to participate in activities such as camps, parades and Duke of Edinburgh awards.

Councillor Louise Phelan, whose son has been a Cadet, commented “I’ve seen first-hand the benefits of being part of police cadets. They learn valuable life skills, and gain self confidence. They also support the local community and get to take part in things they wouldn’t otherwise have had the opportunity to do. For many this is a stepping stone into a career within the police force, for others the Cadets help to keep them on the right path and make better life decisions. I am incredibly concerned others will now not get these opportunities.”

TACKLING GRAFFITI IN SUTTON SOUTH WARD

This picture shows Louise and Trish cleaning off the graffiti we found in the area outside Northumberland House in Brighton Road. We want residents to report to us instances of graffiti, which is one of the scourges of our times, worldwide. In general, the Council has a good record in cleaning off graffiti quickly. A difficulty is when the graffiti is on private property and the owners of the property have responsibility.

Here is an example of graffiti we got cleaned off, on the bridge at Kings Lane.

MAINTAINING THE “NO DRINKING ZONE” IN OUR WARD

The “No Drinking Zone” was extended south from Sutton town centre

When Richard was first elected in 2010 one of the first projects he initiated was to get the “No Drinking Zone” in the centre of Sutton extended to our Ward. There were a group of what the police termed “all day drinkers” who used to congregate on Cedar Road outside Forest Dene Court.

The zone was extended to cover the area of our Ward south of the station as far as Cavendish Road, and running west to east from Brighton Road to Langley Park Road. In this area it is unlawful to continue to drink alcohol if asked by the police to stop, and there are provisions that would enable the police to confiscate alcohol. You will find reminders of the provisions attached to lampposts in the area, for example in Cedar Road.

The Council has, by law, to re-consider and consult afresh on these provisions from time to time. It is doing so at present. You can comment or make representations on the proposal to maintain these provisions. Representations must be made in writing and addressed to Safer Sutton Partnership Service, Environment, Housing and Regeneration Directorate, Sutton Police Station, 6 Carshalton Road, Sutton, SM1 4RF, before 21st September 2020. You need to state the grounds on which your representation or objection is made.

If you have any questions about this consultation, you can contact the Safer Sutton Partnership Team via email at safersutton@sutton.gov.uk. 

APPEAL LAUNCHED AFTER NOOR JAHAN BAR LOSES LICENCE

The owner of the Noor Jahan Tandori Bar in Brighton Road has submitted an appeal against the decision of Sutton Council to remove his licence to sell alcoholic drinks.

Sutton Council completed its review of the licence of the Noor Jahan Tandoori Bar, at 10 Station Parade, Sutton, just south of Sutton station on the Brighton Road, earlier this year. The bar is the only bar in Sutton South Ward.  

At a hearing of the Licensing Committee on Monday 17 February in the Civic Offices in Sutton, the decision was taken to revoke the bar’s licence. Trish and Richard attended the hearing. Richard told the committee that he did not want to see the bar closed but it needed to be much better managed, as it had been in the past, to ensure there was no nuisance to local residents.

The bar had a Premises Licence to sell food and drink till late at night.

Discussion at the committee related to the four licensing objectives of:

  1. Prevention of crime and disorder

     2. Protection of children from harm

     3. Public safety

     4. Prevention of public nuisance.

The committee was shown video evidence indicating breaches of the licence conditions, with trading outside the permitted hours, smoking in the bar, and noise problems.

The decision of the owner to appeal means that, in normal circumstances, the bar could continue to operate until the appeal is determined. However, the current coronavirus restrictions mean that the bar, along with other pubs, restaurants and bars, is closed. The current restrictions mean it may be a while before the appeal is determined.

The premises are up for sale and it is believed that there is a buyer keen to take over the bar. The buyer would, unless the appeal succeeds, have to apply for a new licence and convince the Licensing Committee that the premises will be better managed in future.

It is understood that the Spagetti Tree restaurant, near the bar, is taking over the vacant unit next to it (also an Italian restaurant until it closed recently). And that the vacant Rift and Co. premises opposite Sutton station will become a Sainsbury’s local.  

CONCERN CONTINUES OVER POLICE NUMBERS IN SUTTON SOUTH WARD AFTER MERGER WITH BROMLEY AND CROYDON

Our police station in Carshalton Road

On 8 March we attended a meeting of the Police Consultative panel for the Ward. We continue to have no dedicated Ward office above the level of PCSO. Two police attended – our loyal PCSO Laura Jogoe and PC Adam Nawol, from Cheam Ward, also came.

As usual, the police SNTs are seriously undermanned.  Over the 4 wards, ie Sutton South, Cheam, Belmont and Sutton West, there are 1 sergeant, 5 PCs, of whom only 3 are “operational” and 3 PCSOs.  There are supposed to be 8 PCs, 2 per ward.  We were told that there is a PCSO recruitment campaign.  Great concern was expressed by all at the meeting and we agreed to write to MPs and the Mayor of London.The police reported that in the period December to March, there were 16 burglaries and 21 vehicle crimes in Sutton South Ward.  Common methods of entry included getting over a back gate and entering from the rear of the premises by breaking a door or window.  We were advised to link a burglar alarm to a call centre, rather than rely on a neighbour.  Car thefts were mainly opportunist, some people forgetting to lock their cars.  Drugs were not viewed as a big problem, incidents being very sporadic and tackled quickly, after which the drug sellers would move on to somewhere else.

RE-LAUNCH OF THE COMMUNITY-POLICE CONSULTATIVE PANEL

Our police station in Carshalton Road

An effort is being made, on 8 March, to re-launch the Community-Police Consultative Panel for our Ward.

This will be a meeting to which the public are invited, at 6pm, at Christchurch in Christchurch Park.

We were concerned after the last meeting of the panel, on 29 November, that numbers attending and the importance the police placed on the work of the panel were slipping. It was the first meeting for a long time as the summer meeting was cancelled at a late point due to it being on the evening of one of the football matches England were involved in in the World Cup. It was a meeting that left us feeling worried. An increase in crime, in burglaries and thefts from motor vehicles, was reported for the first time for some time. This may not be unrelated to problems of police numbers following the merger with Croydon and Bromley. There were a significant number of unfilled posts, vacancies, that the police were struggling to fill, particularly PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers). These officers are important for work on community relations. One member of staff was about to be moved to work in Croydon and we have again lost our Dedicated Ward Officer, Kellie Heath. Kellie has also moved to Croydon.

We hope for a better attendance on 8 March and welcome a new Chair, Aime.

 

A WORRYING MEETING WITH THE POLICE

Our police station in Carshalton Road

On 29 November we attended he first meeting for a long time of the Sutton South Ward Police Community Panel, held in the Parish Office at Christchurch in Christchurch Park. The summer meeting was cancelled at a late point due to it being on the evening of one of the football matches England were involved in in the World Cup. This was a meeting that left us feeling worried. An increase in crime, in burglaries and thefts from motor vehicles, was reported for the first time for some time. This may not be unrelated to problems of police numbers following the merger with Croydon and Bromley. There are a significant number of unfilled posts, vacancies, that the police are struggling to fill, particularly PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers). These officers are important for work on community relations. One member of staff is about to be moved to work in Croydon, though she did not request this move, and we are again losing our Dedicated Ward Officer, Kellie Heath. Kellie is also being moved to Croydon.

SUTTON POLICE STATION SAVED AFTER OUR CAMPAIGN

Our police station in Carshalton Road

After a long consultation, to which the Council contributed, the Mayor of London has announced the closure of counter services at a swathe of police stations across London. We campaigned to save the service at Sutton station, and we have been successful.

Sadly, the counter service at Worcester Park station is to close. Shame on you, Sadiq Khan!

POLICE PRIORITIES CONFIRMED

Our police station in Carshalton Road

Although Sutton borough has one of the lowest crime rates in London – and Sutton South Ward is among the Wards with the lowest crime rates in the borough – we must never be complacent.

We take part in regular consultation meetings with the police to discuss crime trends and priorities for police action in our Ward, and on Tuesday 31 October we met the police at Christchurch hall in Christchurch Park.

Our new Dedicated Ward Officer, PC Kellie Heath, is fitting in to her role and has been very active in meeting local community groups. Although the revised policing model promised by Borough Commander Mark Lawrence promises two Dedicated Ward Officers, supported by a PCSO, by the end of 2017, Kellie is at the moment something of a one woman band.

We were delighted that Frank Berry, who lives in Christchurch Park and was formerly chair of the Sutton Federation of Residents and Tenants’ Associations has agreed to chair future meetings.

The meeting ran through the crime statistics for the last three months. A theme in the four burglaries from houses was windows left open, and in motor vehicle crime carelessness about locking vehicles and leaving SatNavs on display inside the car. Other themes discussed at the meeting were incidents of rough sleeping in stairwells of blocks of flats. The meeting agreed that police priorities should continue to be burglary, anti-social behaviour and speeding.

This consultation meeting was much better attended than recent meetings in this series so our efforts at publicity are bearing fruit.