The St Peter S Association

THE ST PETER’S ASSOCIATION NEWSLETTER & NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

OCTOBER 2012

QUIZ NIGHT

The Dominican Priory, St Peter's Lane

10th November @ 6.30 for 7.00 pm

£6 a head

Prizes and raffle

Light supper included

BRING YOUR OWN DRINKS AND GLASSES

Maximum 6 people per table

Tables must be booked in advance

TO BOOK ring Hilary on 764094

COME AND SUPPORT THIS NEW VENTURE THEFT This occurred at Black Griffin Lane, between 22; 00 and 22; 40 on the 21 September. An amount of Lead was stolen from this property.

BURGLARY Police are appealing for information after two men stole a pensioner's car during a robbery in his own home. It happened during the early hours of Saturday, September 15. The two men smashed a window on the front door of the house in Nargate Street, Littlebourne. They threatened the 87-year-old man and stole about £200 in cash, his car- a silver Renault Megane with registration number CK03 TGX and an air rifle belonging to the man. Detective Constable Louise Hammond said: 'This was a terrifying ordeal for the man where he was robbed in his own home.

CRIMINAL DAMAGE occurred at The Guildhall, between 15.00 and 16.00 on the 23 September. A copper rod was damaged.

Youngsters hanging around drinking? Do you see lots of alcohol related litter? Trading Standards are responsible for making sure that age restricted items particularly alcohol and cigarettes, are not sold to anyone underage. It is a criminal offence to sell these products to a young person under 18. Underage drinking can lead to health problems, truancy and anti-social behaviour. There are a number of ways that young people obtain alcohol, from home, attempt to buy it themselves or ask an adult to buy it for them. If an underage person asks you to buy alcohol for them, do not be tempted. This is called a proxy sale and you could get an £80 on the spot fine or face prosecution with a fine up to £5000. We are also interested to know about anyone selling cheap cigarettes; it is possible that they are fake. All cigarettes are harmful but counterfeit products have been found to contain cyanide, plastic, sand and even rat droppings. Fakes are so dangerous that doctors have warned that they are responsible for 4 times as many deaths as drugs. If you know of retailers that you suspect are selling cigarettes or alcohol to children, or if you have been asked by a young person to buy alcohol for them, please let us know. Citizens Advice consumer helpline on 08454 04 05 06. Your contact can be completely confidential and you do not need to give your name or address Canterbury & District

Neighbourhood Watch Association

We sadly cannot guarantee that being a member of an NHW scheme will mean that you will never become a victim of any sort of crime, but East Kent Police do have statistics to show that scheme householders can be up to 9 times less likely to become such victims. Whilst most of the Canterbury area is already a very safe place in which to live, we can all still be even wiser about such things as household, car and personal security, rogue traders and “bogus callers” on the doorstep and, increasingly, telephone and internet scams. With our good partners in Kent Police and Kent Trading Standards, we can keep all of our members up-to-date with the latest information and guidance. In recognition of this, many insurance companies will offer up to 10% discount on home contents insurance for those policyholders in an active NHW scheme.

Being in an active scheme will also send a very clear message to would-be criminals that yours is a ‘crime-wise’ area and home that should be avoided - through the clear display of window stickers for every member household. These stickers should also deter unwanted “cold callers”, some of whom are known to cause real problems especially for any more vulnerable residents.

Experience shows that NHW works on many different levels. Primarily we aim to assist the Police through the implementation by members of crime prevention warnings and advice, and then the passing back of any information which may in turn help to solve crimes which might be taking place. Perhaps most importantly, it also encourages local communication. Community awareness and a sense of belonging increase when neighbours talk more to each other. As a result, issues that might otherwise be ignored - such as anti-social behaviour and vandalism - start to receive more attention, so the whole community benefits as empowerment and intolerance to crime develops. You will also be gaining the ‘strength’ and voice of the whole Canterbury District NHW Association and, in turn, that of the Kent and National Associations. Calling the Police? 999: for crimes in action 101: for reporting crime, including anti-social behaviour. Also, use this number for Local Police Community Support Officers – and enquire who is on duty at the time.

Or 0800 555 111: CRIMESTOPPERS – for anonymous calls with information about crime. Refuse & recycling collection: 01227 862211 City Council Rubbish on streets and paths: 0800 0319091 Serco Dog fouling: 01227 862253 City Council Street Scene Fly-tipping and Graffiti: 0800 031 9091 Serco (Preferably also report to Police and get incident report number) Abandoned vehicles: 01227 862203 Canterbury City Council Street Lighting, Pavements, Potholes etc: 0845 824 7800 Kent Highways Agency (An incident report number should be obtained for follow-up) Canterbury City Council CCTV contact telephone number – 01227 862540

SPA contact information Our website: www.stpetersassociation.co.uk A general email link: [email protected] SPA Committee 2012/13 The current officers are: Chairman: Hilary McKernan – 01227 764094 Vice-Chairman: Andrew Kerin – 01227 456618 Secretary: Alexi Brook Treasurer: Gillian Rushton Neighbourhood Watch: Andrew Kerin & Gillian Rushton Committee members: Polly Coburn, Clive Bowley, Margaret Hagan, Margaret Keeler and Janet Scott.

NHW Coordinators St Peter’s Association Neighbourhood Watch Scheme: Andrew Kerin, Blackman House, 6 St Peter’s Lane, Canterbury CT1 2BP. Gillian Rushton, 68 Broad Street, Canterbury CT1 2LS. This is a list of your SPA street representatives and the roads they cover:

Mrs. Alexi Brook, 16 King Street: Abbots Place, Chantry Court, Dean Mill Court, Knotts Lane, Mill Lane, St Radigund's Street. Mrs. Polly Coburn, 66 Northgate: Kings Mews, Northgate, St John’s Hospital, St John's Place. Mrs. Margaret Hagan, 73 St Peters Lane: Pound Lane, St Peters Lane, St Peter's Street, Tower Way, Westgate Hall Rd. Miss Margaret Keeler, Flat 1, Eastbridge Hospital, 25 High Street: 16 The Friars, All Saints Lane, High St (part). Mrs. Hilary McKernan, 9 King Street: Best Lane, Blackfriars Street, King Street, Orange Street, Palace Street, St Alphege Lane, The Friars, Turnagain Lane. Ms Gillian Rushton, 68 Broad Street: Broad Street.