Previous story(News Browser) Next story
A man is arrested for the theft of drain covers
A man has been arrested after the recent spate of thefts of drain covers from the gutters of Bexley’s roads. About 95 cast iron gully covers vanished over a four-day period and it became apparent that they were being stolen in the early hours for their scrap value.
Although there are considerable cost implications for the Council, the main consideration has been for public safety as, for instance, a small child could easily have become trapped in the unprotected deep chambers below ground level.
The cost of replacement will be in the region of £25,000, compared with the scrap value of a few hundred pounds.
A joint intelligence operation with the police over the weekend resulted in an arrest in the early hours of Monday 11 June, when 25 covers were recovered.
Cllr Katie Perrior, Cabinet Member for Community Affairs, says: “The Council is delighted with the outcome of the police operation, which also involved Greenwich, with intelligence input from Bromley. The Council was determined to assist in securing an arrest and worked very closely with the police throughout the weekend providing local knowledge and intelligence information.”
Cllr Gareth Bacon, Cabinet Member for Environment, says: “I am encouraged that the police welcomed the Council’s input into the operation and that they took the safety implications of the thefts very seriously. I am personally grateful to the Council Officers concerned who gave up their weekend. The end result is very satisfying.”
“The investigation into this series of offences continues and we have a number of leads we are following up,” says Chief Inspector Hafford, Bexley Police. “Our main concern, however, is for the safety of our communities in Bexley. The callous nature of this offence is such that a serious injury could be caused to a pedal cyclist, a pedestrian or to the occupants of a car - all for the sake of a few pounds.
“Our proactive operations are continuing and we are working with scrap metal dealers to identify those responsible and recover the gully covers. Everyone should take extra care when using roads in Bexley.”
Veterans Day
Trust Thamesmead’s Veterans Day Celebration took place today at the Firepower at Woolwich Arsenal and was attended by 48 people, including two men who both served in the Coldstream Guards - which surprised them, as the regiment are based up north and it is very unusual to come across members in London, so it was a chance for them to catch up and reminisce.
The celebration started with tea and coffee being served in the museum, before veterans were asked to take their seats for a two course sit-down meal.
Veteran and Trustee of Trust Thamesmead, Ted Claridge gave a speech: “The eleventh of the eleventh is to remember those who lost their lives at war; Veterans Day is about celebrating those who survived and all that we achieved.”
Whilst Trust Thamesmead’s Art & Events Coordinator Danny Thorpe, who organised the event added: “It was really heartening to meet so many Thamesmead veterans and very fitting to have the dinner on the Royal Arsenal, which, like our veterans, contributed hugely to Britain’s overall war effort.
“It is always important to take time to say thank you to the people who worked so hard to protect Britain during the war.”
 |
Jamelia will be headlining this year’s Trust Thamesmead Summer Festival which co-insides with Thamesmead’s 40th birthday. Keeping in theme, acts from the last four decades, including Showaddywaddy, The Real Thing, Sybil, Antony Costa, The Honeyz and Trust Thamesmead’s T Factor winners Audio Hawk will all be performing on stage.
Click here for for more details |
|
