In the week commencing 8th February we had another visit to Court for a fly tipping prosecution. This time we were attending Derby Crown Court as opposed to the usual visits to the Magistrates. Unfortunately, the day before we went we learned that our case was to be a "floater" which would only be heard if another case on the day was cut short (for example if the defendant pleaded guilty or didn't turn up). In the event all the other cases went ahead and our case was adjourned until May, which was disappointing.
As is often the case, the Friday evening was the busiest on this week and this is a short summary of the evening's events from one of our Wardens, Nathan Bull:
- Windsor close Newhall. After complaints from residents regarding youths etc. patrols conducted. Lads seen at 16:08 playing football in the street. Advice given.
- Pine Grove Newhall. Complaints regarding jitty from Pine Grove up to Parliament Street and groups gathering again. Nothing seen during any of my visits that night, however, I contacted the Waste Team at the Depot and arranged for the area to be cleaned up as it was covered in litter. Also noted damage to fences next to the jitty.
- Belmont Street, Swadlincote. Nothing seen around Belmont Street, the jitty down to the park was also quiet at the time of my visits. Surrounding streets also appeared to be quiet.
- Willoughby House. Static at this location and foot patrols conducted. Building appeared to be secure. The lighting on Hall Farm Close nearest to main building are not working - info passed on.
- Hilton. Area patrolled included The Mease, village hall, Soar Close and Wildhay Brook. Several graffiti tags seen along Avon Way and onto Welland Road. Also another nearby road whose name escapes me. Will pop out again to retake photographs for our intelligence records as the ones taken on Friday night didn't come out well.
- Willington. Twyford Road area and both the takeaway and the underpass were quiet at the time of my visit.
- Gosley Estate appeared to be quiet.
- Harebell Close - several visits. Arrived at 20:45, parked van up cameras covering the jitty up to Burton Road. Police arrive at 20:50. I conducted a foot patrol of the jitty, Burton Road, Sorrell Drive, Jubilee Close, along bottom road of estate (can't remember name) and back up jitty to Harebell Close. Police were stood in the garden of of a house as I walked past the second time. I saw them speak to group who had come down.
- East end car park - Static in car park and conducted patrol around Church Street and also Church Yard. Nothing seen.
- Swadlincote High Street - Nothing seen.
- Urban Parks - Drive past each of the three main parks with a brief foot patrol on Eureka and Newhall. All appeared to be quiet.
In the week commencing 15th February James Cunningham-Gardner was working days and had the unfortunate duty of checking for identity chips on dead two dead dogs which had been found. The dogs were then taken for cremation. Another one of those things that nobody really thinks about but the Wardens are doing behind the scenes! Fortunately it's not that common an occurrence.
Evening patrols were similar in nature to the information above, except visits were also made to the north east of the district to places like Aston-on-Trent and Stenson Fields, in response to complaints from the public regarding youths congregating.
In the week commencing 22nd February two things occurred which were of particular note - firstly, a quantity of cannabis was found by one of the Wardens dumped down a secluded lane. Information was passed to the Police for them to start an investigation. Secondly, we undertook a stop and search exercise with the Police, Environment Agency and Derby City Council in order to find people carrying waste which may be fly-tipped or people carrying waste without a licence. A number of vehicles were stopped and notices issued requiring waste transfer notes to be provided in relation to the waste being carried.
It is worth noting that if you get "white van man" or indeed any business to take waste from your house you should be given a receipt which details what waste is being removed. Whilst previously only businesses had a duty of care to ensure their waste is being properly disposed of, now residents have that duty too. If you pass your waste to an unlicensed carrier then you may be committing an offence. There is a common sense approach to all this and that is - if they are offering to take your waste for a knock down fee, why? Disposing of waste properly costs money and waste companies must consider this when setting fees to remove waste. If they are not charging accordingly then they might be dumping your waste down a secluded lane in South Derbyshire. If that happens, don't be surprised to receive a knock at your door from the Safer Neighbourhood Wardens!
