Burglaries in the Gardens area and suspect description

From our local police team:

Burglaries have started to spring up in the area bordered by Canfield Gardens, Fairhazel Gardens, Greencroft Gardens and Broadhurst Gardens. There have been multiple offences all with the same suspect and modus operandi. The properties hit have all been backing on to the communal garden, entry has always been gained via the rear and is not forced. This means that people are leaving their properties insecure.

The suspect is described as a white male between the ages of eighteen and twenty-five with short dark hair and who wears glasses. Entry is gained through the back of the property via unlocked windows and doors and is during the hours of darkness in the evenings.

Area Action Group - feedback on key rubbish/streets issues raised

The Area Action Group on Monday was reasonably well attended and Camden environment officers Roberto Molinari and Danny Wilks were excellent in responding to questions and informing people. Key issues raised include:
Difficulties with getting through on the new Camden call centre number and lack of response once enquiries logged on phone or on-line.
Removal of bollards at Goldhurst/Priory junction means vehicles mount the drop pavement, which is dangerous for handicapped people in particular – we are taking this point up with officers.
Weeds in Fairhazel Gardens – officers will get on to Veolia on this.
Street sweeping – with the reduction in street sweeping from 3 times a week to once a week we will notice difference, but that doesn’t mean our streets officers won’t seek to maintain appropriate standards.
Road and pavement works in Aberdare and Canfield (which have been widely praised) have triggered some pest control problems. We are taking up a couple of specific cases.
Housing estates – grounds maintenance contract management is now also under the care of our environment officers, it was agreed there was a need for better understanding by residents groups and TRAs of how this actually works.
Recycling bins are getting flytipping – on the side of Waitrose and particularly at the bottom of Netherhall – officers are taking up
Big communal properties with a green eurobin should be getting rubbish removed several times a week to prevent rubbish pouring out on the streets.
Hedge behind Broadfield estate not being cut back – we are taking up.
Dog fouling – a continuing problem despite the extra bins. Officers emphasised they will issue penalty notices and take action if culprits are reported anonymously. Also comments that more notices needed on estates. One specific plea to get the dog bin at the end of Goldhurst Terrace/Priory cleaned.
Winchester Rd – residents have no bins and never have had. Officers going to look at this.
Problems with vermin following roadworks in Aberdare and Canfield – Camden does have a vermin service.
Winter gritting etc – more salt bins in place and many shovels have been distributed. However the Council has a clear plan with priority roads and doesn’t have resources to do all roads immediately after snowfall. If anyone wants to know where to find the priority roads list online, let us know.
Complaints about noisy street construction work early in the morning. No work other than emergencies should be taking place before 8 – contact Camden noise patrol or your councillors if this is happening.
Waitrose shopping trolleys being abandoned in the Gardens area – officers going to speak to Waitrose on this.
On a more positive note, Paul Perkins, director of the Winchester Project, outlined the new enterprise work they are doing to encourage young people to get into careers and start-up firms.

Camden tenant convicted for subletting in legal first

See council press release below, given the scale of social housing need, subletting is by no means a victimless crime, and it's good to see action being taken.

Camden housing tenant receives criminal conviction in legal first

Camden Council has become one of the first London local authorities to prosecute successfully a council tenant for housing fraud under the Fraud Act 2006, because he sublet his council property.

Camden’s housing investigation team successfully prosecuted the tenant under sections 1 and 3 for failing to disclose information to make a gain and exposing the council to loss, resulting in a criminal conviction.

On 28 January 2008 Oladapo Talabi was granted a secure tenancy in NW1. He was granted the tenancy due to overcrowding of the family home.

In September 2010 Oladapo Talabi rented out his property for approximately six months for the sum of £780 per calendar month. The person who rented the property paid £5,586 to an estate agent who was handling the letting on Talabi’s behalf. From this amount Mr Talabi received a lump sum of £4,000.

Following an investigation by Camden’s housing investigation team, Talabi was charged and on 1 September 2011 at Highbury Magistrates Court he pleaded guilty to two counts of fraud.

Mr Talabi returned to Highbury Magistrates Court on 26 October 2011 for sentencing.

District Judge Henderson took the view that Talabi had used the rental income to pay off his debts, particularly his rent arrears, and for that reason did not send him to prison but gave him a Community Order of 12 months comprising 100 hours unpaid work. There was no further award of costs as there were costs of £750 awarded to Camden at a previous hearing that are still being repaid.

Camden Council have proceedings for possession of the property listed in the Central London County Court to be heard in December 2011.