Call 999 every time
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| David Niemen |
By Wanstead and Woodford GuardianA SOUTH Woodford businessman is urging residents and traders to report crime and give police a true picture of the area's problems. The Chairman of the South Woodford Business Partnership, David Niemen, said George Lane had become a crime hotspot over the last few months but was not being given priority as incidents were not being reported. He is now urging residents and shopkeepers to overcome the catch-22 situation by ensuring they dial 999 after every single crime, no matter how small, and ensure the area receives the policing it deserves. Mr Niemen, who is based in George Lane, said: "We've been getting more and more reports of crime over the last two months, including shops being targeted, unpleasant attacks on people and mobile phone thefts. It's all very disturbing. Most of it seems to be carried out by youngsters robbing other young people of their mobile phones or the odd few pounds in their pockets. "We've spoken to the police and requested more CCTVs in the area, even if it's only temporary, but the police are telling us that not much crime is being reported." He added: "People know about crime but they don't phone the station or call in to the police station but this is counterproductive as CCTV equipment can only be allocated to crime hotspots." Mr Niemen said there was a group of around four young men believed to be connected with the recent crimewave who drive into George Lane, park their car and hang around the streets in pairs, unnerving locals. He said that every time the gang saw a police car approaching they disappeared into their car which was often parked in an alleyway close to South Woodford station. He also said the area has been plagued by another gang of young people who often congregated outside the Hogshead pub in George Lane. He is urging people to keep their eye out and report anything suspicious. 17:06 Tuesday 28th January 2003
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