Dropped kerb scam. It has come to police notice that individuals claiming to work for the Council are approaching residents offering to install dropped kerbs, while planned footway maintenance work is taking place nearby. The Council’s contractors will never cold call in order to seek out work on private property. Please beware if you are approached by individuals claiming to be contractors working on the Council behalf. Council enforcement teams are investigating and they are including a scam warning in the letters sent out prior to planned maintenance. If you are approached by a company or individual in this way, please notify Trading Standards.  (Any work you choose to commission privately will be at your own risk. Discounts are available via the council for those wishing to install a dropped kerb at the same time as planned works, subject to conditions. Further details can be found at www.brent.gov.uk/droppedkerbs). If you need to reply regarding this message, contact: rebecca.fitton@brent.gov.uk

 

New MapRA website. (same location: https://mapra.org.uk/). You may have noticed it is rather different. Hope you like it. There are bound to be some teething problems; so let me know if you notice anything wrong. The Trader page isn’t there yet as we are weeding out some out-of-date items . And we haven’t yet put the Paypal link in. And the next email you get should be via Mailchimp (you can see we’re crawling into the modern age!)

Membership renewal. Thanks to all those who have renewed after my email of 4 Jan.

 

Covid Testing. Further good reports of service at the Central Mosque, Marley Walk. But one does have to book, I found; https://www.brent.gov.uk/covidtesting  (not appropriate though if you have symptoms)

Couple of information via our local Mutual Aid group, who are continuing to do sterling work for people unable to get out and also for those suffering financially.

  • How to eat well on a budget. Free talk on 27 Jan: join via link
  • If you have an old laptop (or other computer, tablet, smartphone etc) and not sure where to donate,  some London-based organisations will take (or collect) your old devices, securely wipe them, then refurbish / upgrade them as necessary and distribute to local families and vulnerable people in need. https://therestartproject.org/london-laptop-donation-drive/

Low traffic Neighbourhood. There has been much controversy about this scheme (in the Cricklewood part of Mapesbury). There will be an online meeting on evening Monday 1 Feb so you can put your point of view forward to local Councillors. Details later.

Murder and two stabbings in Neasden. Just after 21:30 last Monday 11 January, Leon Street, a delivery driver aged 48 was stabbed in the chest and died. Ten minutes earlier, near the bus stop on Neasden Lane North close to Press Road, a man aged 47 was stabbed by a lone male who ran away. The victim has now been discharged from hospital. And at 09:50 on Sunday 17 January a man believed to be in his thirties was stabbed near the location of Monday’s fatal stabbing. He was taken to hospital. The links to the police press releases are below. The first one includes a photo of Leon Street. https://news.met.police.uk/news/further-appeal-as-neasden-murder-victim-named-419088; https://news.met.police.uk/news/stabbing-in-neasden-419091

Police believe the two attacks on Monday were committed by the same lone male. They believe that the suspect lives locally. Police are appealing for information if anyone:

  • saw a man running near Neasden Lane North between 9pm and 10pm on Monday 11 January
  • has seen a man hanging around the area in recent weeks
  • knows anyone who has been acting suspiciously on Monday or since then
  • know anyone who has been disposing of clothes
  • knows anyone who seems agitated for no apparent reason.

Anyone with information about the murder and stabbing on Monday evening should call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 6783/11Jan. Anyone with information about the stabbing on Sunday morning should call police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC quoting 1943/17Jan. To remain anonymous, anyone can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit crimestoppers_uk.org

 

Virus Support information

 

 Current Planning applications in the area: For details search Brent Planning. New items in red

  • App: 20/4041, 41-43 Cricklewood Broadway. Comments by 25 January

Proposed single storey front extension with associated alterations to ground floor

Guide to tradesmen and services: Under devt

Local restaurants/cafés: Under devt

Ashford Place https://www.ashfordplace.org.uk/;

Cricklewood Library http://www.cricklewoodlibrary.org.uk/

Latest from Brent Council: importance of regular testing

Culture in Brent: Brent Libraries update

Gerry Weston:  https://www.mapra.org.uk/