NEWSLETTER

Billericay Citizens Advice Bureau

Barry Wickerson of Billericay Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) kindly came along to our April members meeting to tell us what the Bureau does and how they help the Citizens of Billericay.

The service was started in 1934, it is 85% staffed by volunteers, funded by Basildon District Council and Essex County Council and free to users of the service.

Britain has the only CAB of its size in the world. Australia and New Zealand have smaller versions and the rest of the world has nothing like it. Something to be proud of.

The service CAB provide is strictly confidential and they will help anyone, so the service is a life line for those who may not be able to afford a solicitor. CAB not only give advice, but they will help their clients through the whole problem, helping them write letters, complete forms, etc.

Amazingly 99% of problems that people take to CAB are fixed by them, only 1% of the problems need to be referred to another organisation.

Besides helping people to resolve problems CAB write Evidence Reports to the Government; these reports detail problems and legal anomalies and are often used to shape new laws.

CAB offers general advice and information service on a wide range of issues, including:

¨ Employment

¨ Housing and Homelessness

¨ Consumer matters

¨ Personal Budgeting

¨ Credit

¨ Debt

¨ Welfare benefits

¨ Family matters

¨ Utilities (Water, Gas, Electricity)

¨ Community Care

¨ Basic Immigration and Nationality issues

CAB is located next to the Library in Burghstead Lodge, you can contact them on 01277 651858.

If you would like to become an advisor there is a six months training course at no cost to you and no exams.

Training is followed by a probation period and you will never be dropped into the deep end. The next training programme starts in January 2004, so now is a good time to sign up!

Maureen and Brian Frankham

Maureen and Brian are moving out of the county. They have been supporters of Billericay Neighbourhood Watch for more years than they probably care to remember! Our thanks to them both for their support and best wishes in their new home.

Alcohol Free Zone

WPC Julie Dawes is continuing with her initiative to make Billericay High Street and alcohol free zone. This does not mean the end of Pubs and Restaurants, but it will mean the end of drinking in the streets.

Crimestoppers

We print their number on the back of every Newsletter and it may be a good time to remind you how the scheme works.

All telephone calls to Crimestoppers are free and callers are not asked for their name - the whole scheme relies on the anonymity of the people providing information. Each caller is given an identity number which can be used if a reward is claimed. Rewards are paid anonymously if an offender is arrested and charged; interestingly only about 15% of callers claim a reward.

Remember: Put A Crook Away

ÞIt is a free call

ÞYou are not asked your name

ÞCash rewards may be paid.

ÞYou may help to solve a crime

ÞYou may help prevent a crime

In view of the increase in drug related crime in Billericay, please consider calling Crimestoppers if you have information that may help the Police. The information you give may save a life.

Basildon Car Park Attacks

There have been a number of reports of violent attacks in car parks in Basildon, especially the one above Toys R Us. Be watchful - try and stay in open spaces - back into parking areas - don't display valuables - keep windows closed while stopped but have the engine running - keep doors locked - report anything suspicious.

New Sponsors

We are pleased to announce that we have two new Newsletter sponsors in addition to our old friends Crystal Print. Both Colt Alarms and Hollmark Electrical Installations and Facilities Maintenace will sponsor 50% of alternate Newsletters and Crystal Print will continue to sponsor 50% of all newsletters. Needless to say we are extremely grateful to these companies for their sponsorship in producing 5,000 newsletter each month.

Billericay Fun Day

Don’t forget Saturday 28 June at Lake Meadows, come long and join in the fun.

Quiz Night

Well, I had to cancel it in the end. We had just three tables booked and we would have lost even more money. We all went to the twinning association quiz night instead and had a great evening.

Saturday mornings at the Police Station

In three open morning we had three callers. I guess it is not seen as an essential service to Billericay Neighbourhood Watch so we have stopped doing it.

Crime Figures 1 March to 29 May

Burglary

18 The locations of burglaries over this two month period were: Longtail, Little Norsey Road, The Copse, Stock Road, Laindon Road, Noak Hill Road, Vincent Way, London Road, School Road, Greens Farm Lane, Roman Way, Chapel Street, Laindon Common Road, Rectory Road, Southend Road, The Pantiles, Grange Road, Queens Park Road.

Theft From Motor Vehicles

23 Barlylands Road, Queens Park Avenue, Radford Crescent (2), Radford Way, Stock Road (3), Coxbridge Court, High Street, Tye Common Road, Clockhouse Road, Rosslyn Road (3), Magnolias, First Avenue, Brookside, Kennel Lane, High Street, Norsey Road, Beams Way

Theft Of Motor Vehicles

10 Grange Road, High Street, Radford Crescent (2), Allysun Walk, Tavistock Way, Radford Way, Hunters Avenue, Western Road, Dorchester Road.

Criminal Damage

46 Southend Road, High Street (4), Radford Crescent, Western Road, Rosebay Avenue, Cromwell Avenue (5), Norsey Road (4), Jacksons Lane, Salesbury Drive (3), Vincent Way, Bell Hill Close, Redwing Drive (3), Bush Hall Road, Well Mead, Laindon Road, Knightsbridge Walk (2), Coxes Farm Road, Foxhunter Walk, Mountnessing Road, Lakeside, Stock Road, Carlyle Gardens, Grange Road, Perry Street, Noak Hill Road, Southend Road, Cherry Gardens, Hill Bell, Outwood Common Road, Morris Avenue, Tye Common Road

Help to stop these yobs who are spoiling Billericay