Is Canvassing Dangerous ?

Fantastically interesting day yesterday. Met lots of residents and all for the price of one bike crash.

Douglas Alexander and the Pakistani Community Centre

I met with Douglas Alexander MP and members of the Pakistani Community Centre at lunchtime. It was interesting to hear his take on Libya, the Afgan conflict and issues of racism. I was asked to make a short speech and asked him how we deal with the attitude of papers like the Daily Express who seem intent on stirring up intolerance in our communities.

Canvassing

We have been out most nights knocking on residents' door for the last few months. It was very nice to be door knocking when it wasn't raining, snowing or dark. The residents were very concerned about many issues, however the main issue was still Maiden Erlegh. I was happy to complete the picture for residents, however they seemed very concerned about Conservative Councillor Wazir's role in supporting WBC's proposals. It was on the way to canvassing that I fell off my bike, so had to do the canvass feeling slightly wobbly.

University and Redlands NAG

Topped the evening off with the University and Redlands NAG public meeting. The Council, Police, University and Students' Union all presented what they have been doing to react to residents' concerns about the area. The police presentation was striking, crime is down in the area, however burglary is an issue. Burglary has become an issue because of the number of Houses in Multiple Occupation which seem to be less well secured. The Police is working with the University and Landlords to make sure that  the Landlords fulfil their obligations to protect their tenants. There was a good mix of residents and officials, unfortunately the Park Councillor who is up for election, Conservative Cllr Wazir Hussain, appeared not to have it in his diary so wasn't there. Shame really...........

Stop disfiguring Park Ward

Estate Agent's sign Grange Ave

It is student let time in Park Ward. In roads like Pitcroft, Grange and Liverpool estate agents have disfigured the streets with forests of For Let signs.

The Redlands NAG, of which I am a member, ran a campaign to get the estate agents to moderate the numbers they put up in any one street. They were pretty successful, however this year the estate agents are disfiguring the streets and pointing out to burglars which houses are student houses and can be targeted for break in.

I am pleased to say that the NAG is demanding action against the estate agents and has put up a petition against this invasion in to the street scene. I am happy to support the campaign and would urge you to sign the NAG's petition.

Its address is: http://www.gopetition.com/petition/44070.html

Happy New Year and Watch Out There is a Burglar About

First of all Happy New Year, I hope 2011 is everything you want it to be.

I started the year with a meeting of the Neighbourhood Action Group, where local residents and Neighbourhood Watch coordinators get together with the Uni, the Police and Council to discuss issues that concern local residents.

The Police were concerned that residents are aware of the needs to protect their houses. They advise that E Reading is a bit of a burglary hotspot at the moment, despite other crimes going down. They have asked that residents make sure that their front doors, back doors and windows are properly locked. It sounds simple, however the Police told the meeting that burglars are trying front doors and finding many that are not properly secured. They also mentioned that officers are travelling around E Reading and Park Ward knocking on front doors, during the day, to ensure that the doors are secured.

The message is please, please, please, please, make sure your front door has a decent lock on it and is actually locked. It will cost a penny or two to get a decent lock, however it will save you money in the long run.

Please keep safe in 2011 and remember; Watch Out There's a Burglar about....