News from Community Safety
(03/09/2010) Chafford Hundred Community Engagement Day - Thursday September 16th
Shoppers at Sainsbury's Chafford Hundred can gain valuable help and advice from consumer rights experts, the Fire Service and Emergency Planning at the Thurrock Community Safety Partnership Engagement Day on Thursday September 16th.
The event from 10am to 1pm will focus on information from Thurrock Trading Standards - particularly tips on buying your first car - fire safety in the home and the work that Thurrock Council does in case of a borough-wide emergency. Crime Prevention and personal safety advice will also be available.
Commuters at Chafford Hundred railway station will get the chance to air their views on issues affecting their local area. Members of the community safety partnership will be at the station from 8am to 9am.
Residents of Chadwell St Mary and Tilbury have already benefitted from community engagement days where they had the chance to get face-to-face help and advice from a variety of organisations. Those attending included Thurrock Council's Community Protection Team, responsible for dealing with incidents of Anti-social Behaviour, representatives from Oasis drugs and alcohol advice centre, members of the voluntary community and Police Community Support Officers.
At the Tilbury Community Engagement Day last month members of the community safety partnership met commuters at Tilbury Station and gathered their views on the issues affecting their local area. Thurrock MP Jackie Price-Doyle also attended the Tilbury event and mingled with experts and residents.
To keep up to date with information and advice from the Community Safety Partnership sign up for email updates at safer.thurrock@thurrock.gov.uk
(06/09/2010) Dog Owner Falls Foul - Costing Her £235
A Chadwell dog owner has been fined £120 and ordered to pay £100 costs and a £15 surcharge after admitting she allowed her dog to foul the footpath and failed to clear it up.
Nicolette Williams (32), of Felicia Way, Chadwell St Mary, pleaded guilty by post to a breach of the Dog Control Order at Grays Magistrates Court on Thursday September 2nd.
The court heard Ms Williams had allowed her dog out unaccompanied to roam and foul the local footpaths. She was issued with a fixed penalty notice by Thurrock Council but refused to pay the £75. The matter was then pursued and taken to court.
Thurrock Council's Portfolio Holder for Crime and Disorder, Councillor Gerard Rice was delighted by the result." This case gives a clear message to dog owners that they need to take responsibility for their animals but also for helping to keep the place they live clean. We will not tolerate dog fouling which quite simply is disgusting. Anyone caught failing to clear up after their dog will be issued with a fixed penalty notice or, or as in this case, prosecuted through the courts".
Reports of dog fouling should be made to the Thurrock Community Protection Team on 01375 652211.
(06/09/2010) Prison Sentence for DVD Seller
A man has been imprisoned for 12 weeks after being caught with counterfeit DVDs in Aveley.
Ming Huang was arrested following a joint operation between Thurrock Council Trading Standards and Essex Police and charged with offences under the Trade Marks Act 1994.
When arrested Huang had more than 200 DVDs in his possession and had sold some that morning. He had previously been arrested and imprisoned for similar offences and had absconded from bail in 2009.
At a court hearing in Basildon on 27 August, Huang pleaded guilty and was given 27 days for the bail offence and 12 weeks imprisonment for the trademark offences.
Thurrock Council Portfolio Holder for Crime and Disorder, Councillor Gerard Rice said: "This is an excellent example of partnership working and the co-operation provided by both services brought about an excellent result within a day. Both Trading Standards and the police should be commended for their efforts".
Thurrock Trading Standards take trade mark enforcement very seriously as evidence has shown counterfeiting does fund organised crime and undermine legitimate business.
To report any suspected trade mark infringements contact Thurrock Trading Standards on 08454 040506.
(07/09/2010) Buy with Confidence– Thurrock supports "Know your Consumer Rights, Used Car Campaign"
Photo Opportunity: Cllr Gerard Rice will be at The Car Place, the first car retailer to gain the Buy With Confidence Accreditation.
When: Wednesday September 8th at 10am
Where: The Car Place, Lodge Lane, Grays
Buying your first car can be exciting but equally hazardous. To ensure you get a good deal Thurrock Trading Standards is supporting the Office Of Fair Trading "Know Your Consumer Rights – Used Cars Campaign".
- Fit for purpose
- Of satisfactory quality
- Fit the description given
To ensure you find a trader you can trust Thurrock Trading Standards is promoting the Buy With Confidence scheme. The scheme supports good reliable, tradesmen and retailers. Members have to be independently checked and pass stringent guidelines to be approved.
The first car retailer to pass the vigorous testing and sign up is The Car Place, Lodge Lane, Grays.
Thurrock Council Portfolio Holder for Crime and Disorder, Councillor Gerard Rice visited The Car Place and spoke with owner Vince Turner. Cllr Rice said: “It is important that people in the area can feel confident in their local businesses. Trading Standards officers work hard to ensure consumers get a good deal and both the Buy With Confidence scheme promoted locally, and the used car campaign will help make people understand the kind of standards they should expect.
(27/08/2010) Sporting Theme for Anti-Graffiti Material
Sports stars including local paralympian Danny Crates have been immortalised in paint with the transformation of the Daneholes Underpass, Blackshots, into a sporting mural.
The anti graffiti diversionary project funded by the Thurrock Community Safety Partnership and organised by the Councils' Street Services team involved local children, pupils from William Edwards School and the Stifford Community Forum.
Graffiti has been dramatically reduced in the areas of Thurrock where five other similar murals have been created. The success of the scheme has not only reduced the cost of clearing the graffiti but also improved the appearance of the affected areas.
Cllr Yash Gupta, Portfolio Holder for the Environment said: "By involving young people in improving their area they have a personal stake and pride which means they are more likely to respect it. These fantastic murals have not only helped to reduce the incidents of graffiti but given our residents something attractive to look at and be proud of where they live".
The Daneholes Mural project was led by Sue Bloss of Thurrock Council and artist John Bulley who have worked on five other similar projects across Thurrock. The sports theme was chosen to reflect the close proximity of sports fields at Thurrock Rugby Club and Blackshots Leisure Centre and involvement of William Edwards School which is the local Sports College.
