Downham at Easter: Vandals, thieves and boy racers
Does reporting a community concern really make a difference?
Is it worth taking the time and making a concerted effort to visit a Saturday morning councillor surgery, speak to a Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) member or attend a Community Action Group meeting to report an issue?
Last month's Local Action Group meeting reported general crime in the area to be low, also cases of anti-social behaviour being reduced. Things appeared to be looking up.
And then came the Easter bank holiday weekend. In Downham it was relentlessly jam-packed with anti-social disturbances and crimes.
These included vandalism of public toilets and buildings, stone and brick throwing, graffiti, purse-snatching, and, most noticeably, almost every local car park being used as a race track and left strewn with drink and/or drugs-related litter.
In response, Downham SNT is taking an old-fashioned approach to this modern breed of boy racers. Vehicle owners are being contacted and given reports of the vehicle misuse. These are usually the unknowing parents of the youths involved. Having been given relevant information, including the real possibility of having their vehicle seized, parents are offering to resolve issues themselves by metering out some family justice.
Even the involved youths – at least those with any shred of common sense – are beginning to realise they don't have to be caught red-handed. Members of the public are giving offending vehicle details and the SNT are able to act on them.
Speeding across the Howdale has certainly been going on for years but, reassuringly (and maybe due to more officially-received resident complaints), police will now be monitoring this. The recently-installed CCTV camera should help.
Also on the SNT agenda is the address of a group of feral-type youths believed to be responsible for a spate of various anti-social behaviour in and around town. Several have already been identified, approached and made aware that unless certain situations improve enforcement will be stepped up.
So yes, it does seem that taking that time, making that effort, is worth it. The sooner worries are reported, the quicker the SNT can start investigating and addressing them.
Another opportunity to report concerns will be at the new, multi-agency surgery being held at Downham Priory Centre on Monday, from 10am to noon.
Among others Police Community Support Officer Tracy Millburn will be on hand to pass on crime prevention tips, and take reports of any community incidents and issues.
Preparations for Downham in Bloom this year include opportunity for a local benefactor to sponsor the uncultivated bed outside the Priory Road fire station building. Businesses, groups, organisations or individuals are all welcome to apply. The borough council will do all the work, planting up and maintaining etc, but need 100 to 150 to do so. The successful sponsor will of course have an advertising notice in the bed. To register interest contact Downham council on 01366 387770.
Local retailers are this year again being urged to join in the Downham in Bloom campaign by ordering large hanging baskets for display outside their Bridge Street, High Street and Railway Road premises. Costing 50 each (inc VAT) the baskets are planted, watered and maintained throughout the flowering season by the borough council. Brackets are supplied free of charge.
To order hanging baskets and/or brackets contact Roger Parnell on 01553 782081. For help with the fitting of brackets contact Downham town council.
Some tickets are still available for tonight's organ recital being hosted by Downham Friends of Papworth group in the town hall. Organist is Andrew Nix and the show starts at 7.30pm. Tickets cost 5 each and are available from Lewks or by contacting a committee member.
Well done to the Ladies' Friendship Circle at the Methodist church for recently raising a warming 200 for the East Anglian Children's Hospice by holding a sponsored knit. Through this column the group
extends sincere thanks to all who sponsored and supported them.
Finally, some of you reading this may well have been among the first audience to use the new cinema facility in Downham town hall last week. There were high hopes to fill 90 seats but a rousing 202 were finally taken! I'd really appreciate any comments you have on the experience. Email is sally_hewitt2000@ yahoo.co.uk
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Weather for King's Lynn
Monday 28 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 10 C to 24 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 9 C to 16 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: North east
