Events at the HAC

Let's get ready to rumble?

The events held at the Hac last weekend undoubtedly caused problems for numerous local residents. Many locals have emailed to say how their weekend was mired by the goings on.

There seem to be three key issues:

The building is NOT soundproof - Even with the large wooden doors shut, any amplified music just goes straight through the huge single-glazed church windows. It often travels as far as Grove Road. This is unreasonable and is blights the lives of residents.

Events are NOT managed properly - There doesn't seem to be anyone from the church actually onsite to ensure any disturbance is kept to reasonable levels. The first the church hear about issues is an email, text, or by doorstepping at Sunday Service by residents. The church don't experience it firsthand themselves.

Events finish too late - Music blaring out of a night from a club night is not something a quiet residential area should have to put up with. Last weekend there was a most unroyal street party in Morgan Street which really got going at 12.20am as punters left the club night.. Women urinating in the gutter, men in local mews, cars blocking access, the NOX and other illicit substances. We even had the "Shoreditch car bar" phenomenon where people open their boot to get prepped on cheap booze (and god knows what) before a night out or to continue partying in the street afterwards. Litter galore the next day.

License - what license? A quick Google indicates hosting a boxing match is classified as "regulated entertainment", yet Sunday's event seems to have been unlicensed? As we mentioned previously we have events coming up that have been given licenses until 1AM.

The MEOTRA committee are meeting on Monday and will discuss issues surrounding the use of the Hac, but please if you were affected by the events you need to speak up and write to the council...

Were you affected by last weekend's events at the Hac?

Tower Hamlets Council are reviewing the licensing and noise issues due to recent events at the Hac. If you were "inconvenienced" (to put it politely) then it is important to let the following know giving as much detail as you can (Date/Times/What you witnessed/Photos/Videos etc):

1. Email our two Bow West councillors Asma Begum and Nathalie Bienfait 
2. The council licensing department (Licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk)
3. The council's [noise] Environmental Health Team.

(first-hand accounts and photo/video evidence are really important)

Note: You will need to give your name and address for complaints to be looked into by the council.

More information is available on the council's licensing and noise control web pages.

Bow West Community Safety Events Report by Cllr Nathalie Bienfait

December 2022 Crime Map for Bow West

Below is a guest post by Bow West Cllr Nathalie Bienfait detailing recent community events within the Bow West area, plus details of local policing priorities (set by local residents), and a recap of how to report crime and ASB.

Nathalie has been working with MEOTRA behind the scenes on a number of issues and this article gives further information on some of them.

Join Us - This Thursday for a Safer Communities Engagement Day - Tredegar Square 9am-12 midday and 5-7PM

 

Concerned about Crime and ASB levels in our streets?

This Thursday morning and evening the Borough’s Community Safety Team, Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams and community safety partners will be in Tredegar Square.

In the morning (9-12) the council's safer communities mobile unit will be available with safer communities officers on board, as well as  police officers and Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs). There will be opportunities for residents to speak to their local Safer Neighbourhood Operations team, report any issues and seek advice.

In the evening (5-7PM) there will be a walkabout which gives residents a chance to highlight concerns of crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) in our neighbourhood. You will have the opportunity to speak directly to senior officers in the police, council and partner agencies about your local concerns and emerging crime and ASB issues.

This is your Chance to let the powers that be know your concerns

There is an increasing tendency for those who live outside our 13 MEOTRA streets to think we live in some insulated bubble. But we don't. It is more Truman Show. Things may appear all hunky-dory from the outside, but the sirens don't always go past. They often stop.

Actually post-lockdown it has been a particularly tough 12 months or so in our area with residents suffering significant levels of Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB), numerous muggings (often unreported), a growth in car crime (again mostly unreported) as well as a several fatalities on our streets.

Any ideas/solutions?

Pop along and let the police and other parties know what you think they could, or indeed should, be doing to tackle problems.

Increased lighting on Lichfield Road, securing Tredegar Square Gardens from dawn to dusk (like it was for many years), tackling the Morgan/Tredegar Square/College Terrace accident Black Spot, the NOx-related ASB on Clinton/Lichfield/Morgan/YouNameIt. Which of these register with you or do you have problems you wish to highlight?

Location: Tredegar Square

Date: 26th January

Time: 9-12; 5-7

If you are unable to come, but have concerns you wish to raise, then please email info@meotra.org.uk and our Chair will make sure your concerns are passed on.

Accident Crash Map

Anti-Social Behaviour in Tredegar Square

The other week Anti-Social Behaviour reached a new low in Tredegar Square with a car being driven into the middle of Tredegar Square one night for a party.

Since COVID first came to town Tower Hamlets Council have stopped locking the Square. This was understandable when we were all trying to maintain social distancing and going for exercise at all hours. But now it is just being done to save money.

Apparently our balloon blowing, happy crack NOX inhaling visitors, decided to open up the Square's gates and drove a car into the park at around 10.30 one night. They continued to clown around with their balloon party packs until the police came along with their blues and twos flashing.

If you witnessed this bizarre incident please get in touch with any further details you may have so MEOTRA can put this to the council and local police team. Any photos would be especially welcome.

Currently the under-resourced police are having to come far too often to sort out this easily preventable ASB. We know the police have better things to do with their time and are ramping up our efforts to get the gates locked like they have have been for many, many years.

Safer Communities Engagement Day in Tredegar Square (26/01/2023)

On Thursday the 26th January 2023 our council's safer communities mobile unit will be coming to Tredegar Square. It will be here 9am to 12pm and there will be a safety walkabout from 5PM-7PM.

It will provide us with a face to face opportunity to speak with the police, council officers and partner agencies about our local concerns. If you unable to attend, or are shy, then please drop us a note with any concerns (What, When, Where etc) and we will pass it on anonymously for you.

Information about police ward panel meetings will also be available ( this was discussed in a previous MEOTRA post recently).

Rising Anti-Social Behaviour, Noise and Crime in our Area

This year has seen quite a rise in Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) and noise pollution within the MEOTRA area. We all need to do our bit to help reduce it. It is important to report incidents and make a note of any reference number (e.g. Crime Number).

Police and council resources are often allocated based on the number of reports made (so-called "trigger levels"). So if you see an issue that concerns you report it, don't assume someone else has.

This article is in two parts. This first part outlines some of the current problems.  In Part Two (tomorrow) we will detail how to report your concerns.

The Art Pavilion, Clinton Road

Our Community Reacts to Shea Gordon's Murder on Morgan Street

As I am sure most of you will know there was a murder on Morgan Street on Sunday 4th September at approximately 00.08hrs. 17 year old Shea Gordon was fatally stabbed. Another youth was seriously injured, but his injuries are not thought to be life-threatening. The murder and disturbance leading to it was featured on BBC London news and further information is available on the BBC website and most recently on the Roman Road London’s website.

Police Appeal for Information

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Rogers from the Met’s Specialist Crime Command said:

“While an arrest has been made, I would reiterate my appeal for anyone with information about the incident which led to Shea’s murder to come forward. We continue to support Shea’s family through this incredibly difficult period but they need your help too – please get in contact with any information you have that could help provide them with the answers about what happened to Shea.”

Anyone who witnessed this incident, or who has captured footage or images, should call the Major Incident Room on 0208 345 3715, giving the reference Operation Wildcast. Information can also be provided via Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

Residents Meet to Discuss the Murder and Rising Anti-Social Behaviour

On the 15th of September there was an online meeting hosted by a Lichfield Road resident which had around 32 attendees from our area. Many MEOTRA residents were unable to attend as we were only invited two hours before. Thanks to the 15 or so who came via MEOTRA at such short notice. MEOTRA did get both of our Bow West councillors (Asma Begum and Nathalie Bienfait) to attend, and their knowledge and input was invaluable.

Meotra’s notes from the above meeting are here.

MEOTRA has arranged an online meeting between the church, our councillors, the MEOTRA committee, and a small number of residents this Thursday evening to discuss the events of that fateful night and the increase in noise and anti-social behaviour that has been noticeable over the last few months from the site.

Ahead of Thursday’s meeting please let us know your thoughts on any concerns you have about the church (both the historic building and the hall on Lichfield Road that is used for events too). Please be as specific with times and dates as you can. 

MEOTRA has had a good relationship with the church for many years - since at least 1986. They have kindly let us use their hall for committee and AGM meetings free of charge many times; lent us chairs and tables for free at the last minute for our Jubilee Party in Tredegar Square and we have obtained a £2000 grant from the Tower Hill Trust dedicated to “rewilding” the churchyard so it becomes a local pocket park for local residents to enjoy. The churchyard has potential to be a very special place and we are supported by the council and the Friends Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park in achieving this (further info).

Anti Social Behaviour within the MEOTRA Area

Our area has seen a noticeable increase in anti-social behaviour (ASB) and we are working with the police, councillors and the council to tackle this. We will be posting about this shortly in a separate post. Please let us know any other ASB concerns you have.

MEOTRA are arranging an open public meeting with our Councillors, council licensing/parks/events officers, our local police officers and local MEOTRA residents to discuss what concrete steps we can take to improve matters in our area.

No Laughing Matter

No Laughing Matter is the name of a campaign by Tower Hamlets Council, Tower Hamlets Police and Tower Hamlets Homes to help tackle some of the problems caused by nitrous oxide.

It follows complaints from residents that antisocial behaviour linked to the taking of nitrous oxide, otherwise known as laughing gas, has become a significant concern within the borough.

Residents say that it can be intimidating to see groups of people taking it, causes noise nuisance and it is also a litter problem because small metal canisters containing it are often left discarded. The police have also received reports of people taking it while behind the wheel of a car. Indeed the Love Wapping website has documented several car crashes where the use of nitrous oxide has been implicated.

The issues and actions are detailed in this leaflet.

What you can do to help:

Illegal Sale: The council’s Trading Standards Team are working with the police to tackle retail outlets that sell gas to people who misuse it. You can report an outlet to the Trading Standard team by emailing tradingstandards@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Littering: If canisters are in streets or parks please use the Fix My Street app/website as this will help MEOTRA see hotspots and nudge the powers that be to target these. Alternatively you can report them to the council’s street cleaning team on 020 7364 5004. 

As part of the campaign, the partners will also be educating people about what the substance is and the risks to health; and talking to school children about the dangers of nitrous oxide