Some years ago, my car broke down on the A406. I rang the break down company and was advised to wait in the car.

After looking at how others were driving and thinking about it further, I got out of the car and stood between the metal bars in the middle of the road that separated the cars travelling in different directions.

People often don’t look well or drive slowly enough to react quickly when they need to act/stop etc.

The driver of a van saw that my car was stationary but he realised too late! He had to break hard to avoid hitting my car and 2 other cars nearly went into him. The sound and sight of it was terrifying! It was OK but it could have a different scenario altogether!

Can YOU do anything to encourage break down companies to advise those who are in a broken down vehicle differently? Do you have a few minutes to forward even this post to your MP? All you have to do is visit http://www.writetothem.com/, add your postcode and then you can press one button and send a message to your Councillors, London Assembly Members & Member of Parliament.

The message I received by email today prompted me to write this post.

Here is that message: -

I have been asked to pass on this message to people who drive……..take care.

As most of you now know – my cousin sister died in a car crash on Sunday afternoon.

Can I beg for you all to understand the rules of driving … that if you break down…DO NOT STAY IN THE CAR!!!  This is what Kajal did…however it wasn’t her fault as she broke down the A40 and there was no hard shoulder there….She couldn’t have got out in the middle of the road with cars zooming pass!

A Tow truck went into her whilst she was waiting for the RAC to come and rescue her and she was stationery talking to her dad……had she had not been sitting in the car – her life would have been saved! I am devastated as I only spoke to Kajal on Thursday and she was a little sister I never had!!!

Only this morning whilst I was driving – a car had broken down at Gillette corner – I wound my window down – it was a young guy in a nice car…I asked him are you okay and he goes I called the RAC – I told him to get out of the car as he was sat in it! I told him my cousin died 2 days ago in exactly the same situation as you! He listened to me and got out and carried on with his phone call! He could have potentially saved his life!  Or maybe  I was sent to him to tell him that!

Who knows!

LESSON TO LEARN – if you break down

Get out of the car and walk 50 yards!!!

Click here to read her Tribute

I guess the title poses a funny question.

Well is it ever going to go away? No! For one reason or another; men and women like to have sex with strangers. Maybe they do not find their partner attractive any more, perhaps they want to be more or less controlling or they do not have anyone to be intimate with.

Who cares? It happens, there is a demand and there are people willing to meet the need! So should there be a move to help legalise it? Organise it? Protect it?

There are so many men who beat, rape and kill prostitutes and if you do not think it matters; I urge you to think again! They are people and they have human rights whatever their occupation.

So how can we stop the beatings, rapes and murders? Should we follow what they have done in other parts of Europe? Why not legalise, organise and protect prostitution? The system would ensure that the prostitutes have regular health checks which will prevent the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI’s). It would mean that an area/areas are organised to provide this service and that it remains constant, rather than, an underground service that keeps moving from place to place as they are discovered or people complain. It would avoid becoming a ‘seedy’ area which nobody wants to walk through. Also the people that work there would be protected so that they are not abused!

Do you have any arguments against this?

Agreeing does not mean that you condone the occupation or the people who use the service; but it DOES mean that you are realistic, humane and logical.

This message has been issued by Harrow Crime Prevention Panel – December 2008

Just to remind that Christmas does provide more opportunities for thieves, therefore a need to take extra care to have a secure and safer festive season by following simple steps, like:

·         When you go out, make sure you leave a light on in your home.
·         Wait until Christmas eve before putting presents under the Christmas tree and don’t advertise the purchase of expensive presents by leaving empty boxes outside your home.
·         Park your car at a secure place and don’t leave presents you just bought in your car.
·         Keep your handbag and wallet safe – be careful in crowded streets or stores. Wear your bag across your body, so that it opens on the side facing you. Never leave a purse in the top of an open bag and never leave your bag unattended. If you use a motorised scooter or wheelchair, keep your valuables in front of you, rather than behind you on the back of the chair.
·         Keep your identity and personal information safe – use well known and reliable mail order outlets if shopping through the internet.
·         Don’t throw away entire bills, receipts, card slips, bank statements or even junk mail in your name.
·         If you attend an office party or go out for a night, be aware of hidden dangers. Never accept a drink from someone you don’t know – appoint a drink watcher if you go to toilet or off for a dance.

This message was sent by Harrow Police. If possible try to use this information to prevent what we can without living in fear.

This is a Ring Master message:

In the past month there has been a rise in distraction and walk-in burglaries, where offenders are posing as:

1) Police Officers – Stating there is a gas leak outside and needing access to the premesis to prevent an explosion.
2) Water Board – Calling at flats saying there is water leaking into flat below and needing to turn off the supply.
3) Workmen – Asking if there is any garden or interior jobs needing their attention.
4) Female with a baby – Asking if she could fill the babies bottle with water.

Offenders have also been walking into addresses when occupants have opened the door without using their safety chain and thus taking items from within.

Suspects are male and female aged between 16 – 45.

The police would ask occupants to:

1) Not to answer the door to strangers, without using their safety chains.
2) Always Ask for ID and check ID carefully.
3) Ask for caller’s office number to check their credentials.

We would like you to report any suspicious callers immediately to police calling 999.

Remember do not let anyone into your premesis until you are happy with who they are.

Thank You
Harrow Police Borough.

On Saturday 6th September 2008 Pinner police station is opening its doors to the public: the day will include the following: -

• Free property marking for valuable property items
• Speak to local businesses such as Pinner Locks and Phase 8 Alarms that specialise in crime prevention and security
• The chance to get your mobile phone recorded on the MEND database which prevents phone related crime Free information, booklets and pamphlets on crime prevention measures such as home security, internet and mobile phone crime
• Your chance to find out how to join the Metropolitan Police Service as a Police Constable or a PCSO and also how to join the Metropolitan Special Constabulary and Police Cadets
• Meet the Pinner and Pinner South Safer Neighbourhood Team Sergeants, PC’s and PCSO’s
• Meet the Harrow Borough Police Cadets
• Meet the Harrow Metropolitan Special Constabulary co-ordinator and talkto one of the Specials who works here
• The opportunity to talk to a former Pinner based police officer about the history of the police station and policing in the area
• An exhibition showing the history of policing in Pinner and across the Met
• An opportunity to walk into the old cell block and possibly meet the famous ghost of Pinner police station!
• A chance to meet a police officer in genuine wartime uniform with 1940’s police equipment
• A selection of vintage police cars

All are welcome, light refreshments will be available

Here’s some info about a March for Peace which I got from the 100 Black Men of London newsletter.

Not Another Drop Brent Community Group are holding their 5th Annual Peace March on Saturday 20th September. The march aims to raise awareness of gun and knife crime, and to take stand against those who perpetrate violence. All are welcome.

Not Another Drop

Harrow have started sending messages like this to help in prevent crime. I think it’s an excellent way of reaching people.

I guess, the downside is that you then may feel more fear and it’s not nice to live with fear. However, I think I have a responsibility to behave in a particular way and help and support others, where possible, to avoid this kind of thing.

I guess a little prevention can go a long way.

No police burglary = no police involvement = no calls to your insurance provider = no forms to complete = no ’stock take’ etc. etc. etc.

For this reason I am forwarding this message to you. I hope you find it useful.

See below: -

harrow_nhw@crime-prevention.co.uk]
Sent: 19 August 2008 12:06

This is a Ring Master message from harrow police.
In the past 2 weeks there have been a number of offences of residential burglary in the Pinner and Pinner South ward’s.
Burglars are gaining entry by forcing windows and doors open, however some have manged to gain entry via open windows.
The property that has been taken is laptops, mobile phones, cash and high value vehicles.
To ensure that you don’t become another victim:
Please ensure that all doors and windows are locked and secure.
Do not keep large sums of money at home.
Remember to keep any serial numbers of property, credit card details, account numbers etc.

If you require any further information and crime prevention advice please contact you local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

pinner.snt@met.police.uk or PinnerSouth.SNT@met.police.uk

How do you do this? Sharing cabs! Not safe I hear you say. How? Grab someone off the street? What?!?!

So this is the name of the scheme – Transit Exchange XX1st Century (TEXXI)

How does it what? What does it mean?

Use SMS messaging to book your seat on a shared taxi, limousine or bus with people travelling in the same direction you are.
At times of peak demand; get home from the bar, the big game, the concert, or to and from work.
Be selective about who you travel with by joining Texxi Groups.

Simple right? Register and find out more.

Harrow have started sending messages like this to help in prevent crime. I think it’s an excellent way of reaching people.

I guess, the downside is that you then may feel more fear and it’s not nice to live with fear. However, we also have a responsibility to behave in a particular way right? For that reason, I guess a little prevention goes a long way. No police burglary, involvement, calls to your insurance provider, no forms, no ’stock take’ etc. etc. etc.

For this reason I am forwarding this message to you. I hope you find it useful.

This is a Ring Master message from harrow police.

In the past 2 weeks there have been a number of offences of residential burglary in the Pinner and Pinner South ward’s.
Burglars are gaining entry by forcing windows and doors open, however some have manged to gain entry via open windows.
The property that has been taken is laptops, mobile phones, cash and high value vehicles.
To ensure that you don’t become another victim:
Please ensure that all doors and windows are locked and secure.
Do not keep large sums of money at home.
Remember to keep any serial numbers of property, credit card details, account numbers etc.
If you require any further information and crime prevention advice please contact you local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

pinner.snt@met.police.uk or PinnerSouth.SNT@met.police.uk

I’ve often heard people complain about having problems when reporting things that need to fixed, moved or removed, for example. Here’s an easy way to do it without being on hold, getting cut off, being passed transferred etc.

Examples of what you could report: -

• Graffiti,
• Fly tipping,
• Broken paving slabs or
• Street lighting
• Light bulbs
• Dropped kerb is too high

How to do it?

1. Visit http://www.fixmystreet.com/
2. Enter a nearby UK postcode, or street name and area
3. Locate the problem on a map of the area
4. Enter details of the problem

This is then sent to the council on your behalf

The site shows recently reported problems and photos of recent reports