Red Cow Lane

Andy Nethercott of Devon Highways advises that the drain that overflows onto the pavement at the bottom of Red Cow Lane can’t be unblocked at public expense as it’s on private land. Apparently they have tried, and the blockage is so serious that it would have to be dug up. They considered that the water that flows over the pavement would be dangerous if it froze this winter, however, so they’ve put in the concrete ridge shown to channel the water into the triple drain grating in the middle of the lane. It’s ugly but if we want anything better we’ll have to pay for it ourselves.

Residents Association

You may have noticed that we haven’t had this year’s AGM or arranged for our Christmas get together.

Among the several circumstances which have led to this sad state of our affairs is the fact that Christine Force has not been in the best of health for some time. As her home is the Association’s regular venue, that’s a real problem.

However, she is sure that it will be OK to set it all up in the new year.

We will have an AGM!

Neighbourhood Watch: Leather Jacket Scam

This message relates to Police Log No.817 22/07/09.

There is a scam being carried out by a male in the carparks of large stores in the Exeter area. He is stating he is in England for a fashion show and has Armani leather jackets he needs to sell for cash to pay for his flight back. His description is male, in his 40's, with a tanned complexion, black hair, wearing a smart suit and tie.

Please be aware that the goods are not as he describes and your money could be wasted.

If you have any information regarding this please contact 08452 777 444 quoting police log 817 22/07/09.

Thank you for your continued support of the Community Messaging System.

Taddyforde BBQ 2009 - Come rain or shine!

Thanks to everyone for all the work and for being such good company – especially Vivienne and Nigel who stayed calm and organised whatever happened.

Neighbourhood Watch

This message relates to crime no DE/09/7902.

Several burglaries have been reported in Exeter recently, where entry has been gained via insecure doors or windows. Some of these while the occupants were in the premises targeted. Please be reminded that all access points should be secured when retiring for the night or leaving the property unattended.

Suspicious activity or callers should be reported to the police.
Please phone us with any information on 08452 777 444.

Thank you for your continued support of the Community Messaging System.

Neighbourhood Watch

Some residents in the Exeter area have had two men cold calling at their doors trying to sell security products. The police have been informed that these products are over priced and their sales tactics are aggressive. They are described as white males one in his 40's,5ft 7ins tall, stocky build, tanned complexion, receding brown hair, the other in his 30's of slimmer build with dark short hair.

Contact the police you have a call and try to get their registration number. If you have any information ring 08452 777 444 or 999 if they are with you. Thank you.

Thank you for your continued support of the Community Messaging System.

Barbecue

If anyone has a portable table and is prepared to lend it for the barbecue, please contact Margaret (my contact details are on the invitation).

Neighbourhood Watch meeting

Is anyone interested in going to a meeting on 23rd June between 1800-2100 held at the St David's Community Centre on St. David's Hill?

 

The meeting is being held by Sandra Calvert who heads up DACCWA  (Devon and Cornwall Community Watch Association).

 

This is another attempt to get NHW back on its feet across Devon.

If anyone would like to go, please let me know via email: (David.CROPP@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk) 

or leave me a message on 08452 777444, as we need to have some idea of numbers.

Thanks.

 

PC 3580 Dave Cropp

Duryard & Pennsylvania Neighbourhood Beat Manager

Red Cow Site:Latest news from Percy Prowse

Dear Resident,

My first letter to the  City Council Enforcement Officer about the state of the above site which residents complained about was on 25th June 2007.

I am pleased now to tell you that the City Council successfully won its case at the County Court against the developer of the site.

The injunction remains in force until 1st June 2010.

The court costs of £700 were awarded against the developer.

The site still has to be cleared and maintained as tidy.

Sorry it took so long.

Yours sincerely,

Percy.

Neighbourhood Watch

This message relates to police log 261 of the 29th May 2009. 

Three males are offering gardening work in Exeter today 29th May 2009, from a white Ford Transit Tipper index number X271GBH. 

Please be wary of dealing with these people as we have had a complaint relating to the quality of their work. All cold callers should be treated with suspicion. Local tradesmen of known good reputation should be employed instead.

Please phone us with any information on 08452 777 444. 

Thankyou for your continued support of the Community Messaging System.

Neighbourhood Watch - Again

This message relates to Police Log No. 232 04/05/09. 

A man called on a property in the Exeter area claiming to need to service the boiler.  After he had left the property it was discovered that a bank book was missing.  He is described as white male, aged about 60, 6ft tall, well built, wearing a woolly hat and light jacket.  He didn't show any ID.  

If you have a call from this man, please note any vehicle he may be driving and contact:

 08452 777 444 quoting police log 232 04/05/09

Neighbourhood Watch - Phone Scam

This message relates to Police Log No.150 29/04/09. 

There have been many incidents throughout the Devon area of households receiving telephone calls from someone claiming to be BT and stating that there is an outstanding amount owing to them.  This is a scam.  Bank card details including PIN numbers are being requested.  Please do not give your card details out to anyone on the phone.  Thank you.

 
Please phone us with any information on 08452 777 444

Neighbourhood Watch - SKY Engineers

This message relates to Police Log No.307 24/04/09. 

There was an incident in Exeter where an household was visited by 2 men claiming to be SKY engineers.  They arrived in a van both wearing blue polo shirts and combat trousers and gained entry to a property.  They looked offical with plastic badges around their necks but their claims were false if you have a visit from these gentleman please do not let them in and contact:

08452 777 444 quoting police log 307 24/04/09. 

Neighbourhood Watch - Bogus callers

This message relates to Police Log No. 523 09/04/09.

As always there have been several incidents this week of bogus callers in the Devon area.  The latest was in Exeter on Thursday evening.  Callers use many claims to try to gain entry to people's homes: the Water Board, Council, window installers, also the BBC checking on digital switchover.  Their aim is to commit crime.  

Please pass this message to any vulnerable people you know and make sure they are reminded not to allow into their property anyone they do not know.

Please phone us with any information on 08452 777 444.

Thank you.

The Shelf Under The Noticeboard

Please put on it anything you want to give away.

If it's a plant, don't let it freeze or scorch!

Take it away after two weeks if nobody wants it.

Red Cow Continues

On the 16th of March Jeremy wrote to Stacey Salter complaining about the current state of the site.

He had a reply today from Sara Jenkins who is covering Stacey Salter's maternity leave.

Thank you for your email.

Please be advised that I am aware of the state of the Red Cow Inn site and was out taking photographs this time last week to confirm that the developer had once again failed to comply with our request to tidy the site.

I have produced a Witness Statement and was due to meet the Solicitor today with a view to submitting that documentation to the County court to secure an Injunction against the developers.

Unfortunately the Solicitor is on sick leave today but we hope that he will be back tomorrow and we will be able to progress this matter then.  Please be assured that I am doing all I can to resolve the situation, and will update you once I have spoken with Legal Services tomorrow.

In the meantime if you have any further queries, please contact me.

Red Cow Site Legal Action

Once again the site owner claimed to the Council that the site had been cleared.  That was on 7th January.  However a Council visit on the 9th January found that this was not the case and the Council is now pursuing legal action to secure compliance with the Untidy Site notice.

The full letter is on the outside noticeboard.

A Rare Sight

Watch Out!

Helen found a syringe yesterday at the bottom of the footpath near the electricity hut.  Fortunately she was wearing gloves and was able to dispose of it safely.

Be careful where you walk.

Neighbourhood Watch

This message relates to Police Log No. 873 21/01/09.

Two men called on a property in Exeter last evening claiming that they needed to carry out maintenance on a kitchen wall.  This claim was false and they proceeded to go upstairs and look around the bedrooms.  They are described as: white male 5ft 3ins, 30 years old, short black hair, slight accent, wearing dark clothes.  The second white male was 6ft, between 20 -30 years, short light hair, politely spoken, wearing a long sleeve green top.

Please remember not to let anyone you don't know into your house. Thank you.

Please phone us with any information on: 0845 777 4441

Neighbourhood Watch Warning

This message relates to Police Log No. 533  12/01/09.

There has been a suspicious incident in the Exeter area of a man calling on a household claiming to be an electrical service engineer and needing to service their tumble dryer.

He is described as a white male in his fifties, 5' 10", stocky build with a stubbly beard.

Please do not let anyone into your home you do not know and report any suspicious incidents to 0845 777 444, quoting the Police Log No. above.

Footnote on the footpath

It was impressive to see all the hard graft put in on the footpath on Saturday - congratulations to all involved.

However, that success comes with some bad news.  While clearing up afterwards Roger and Helen made a horrible discovery.  They found the dead and mutilated bodies of about 10 toads and frogs, obviously killed when the drain was being cleared.  

This is a tragic slaughter and Helen and I agreed that before we residents set out to do any more work that might affect the environment in such a destructive way, we should seek to do an environmental impact assessment.  Roger is very knowledgeable and experienced in the field and would be glad to undertake the assessment.

Footpath: The Base Layer

Footpath: The Workers (1)

Footpath: The Workers (2)

Footpath: The workers (3)

Footpath: The top coat

Footpath Work

Work on the footpath starts tomorrow - Saturday 10 January 2009.

10 am start: barrows, shovels, pickaxes, rakes all likely to be useful.

Neighbourhood Watch Mugging

In the run up to Christmas there have been three attempted muggings in the Hoopern Valley area.  Incidents have occurred on the Lower Hoopern Valley Cycle track, West Avenue and Howell Road.  None of these incidents were reported to the police at the time and there is no good description of the offender.  The alleged offender engaged one victim in conversation before demanding to see what was in the victim's handbag.  His demeanor was pleasant at first but then became aggressive.. Please can you make as many residents as possible aware and report any suspicious activity.

To report any information or past offences please ring:

08452 777 444

quoting Police Log 175 5/01/09.

Thank you.