A new control room, from which police and council staff can monitor and control up to 200 cameras across the borough, was introduced with much fanfare in the middle of December.
]]> New cameras, which are monitored around the clock, have already gone up in Hounslow town centre and Heston, among other places. They are due to be rolled out to more 'hotspots' identified by the council, police and fire brigade.Successes so far include:
A man being arrested on suspicion of possessing drugs at the junction of Neals Corner and Hounslow High Street. Police officers were directed to the scene by a CCTV operator and caught the suspect allegedly trying to discard the drugs
Police breaking up a fight between five youths after being alerted by CCTV operators
Officers in Chiswick tracking down a car belonging to a suspected drugs dealer after the vehicle was caught on camera failing to stop
A man who climbed onto ledge of the Treaty Centre car park in Hounslow with a knife being helped away from the edge and given medical treatment after he was spotted by CCTV operators.
Council leader Peter Thompson said: "We know people feel safer when there are cameras on the streets - which is why we made it one of our 10 promises to residents.
"But we aren't interested in just putting them up for the sake of it. We want them where they're needed, and for those that are already in place to work better.
"That's why the police have been involved every step of the way - helping us site cameras and put systems in place that will help them do their job.
"These early successes are encouraging, and I'm confident there will be more to come as the scheme continues to be rolled out across the borough over the coming months."
]]>The two parks, together with surrounding streets, will become controlled drinking zones (CDZ) from February 15.
]]> Although people will still be allowed to drink there in moderation, cops will be able to seize alcohol from potential troublemakers and ask them to move on.The CDZs will initially remain in place for a year, as part of the pilot scheme, but that period could be extended should they prove successful.
Councillor Paul Fisher, lead member for community safety at the council, said: "Previous CDZs in Hounslow town centre and Feltham have helped cut the amount of anti-social behaviour and curb street drinking.
"These parks are for people who want to enjoy them without fear of intimidation or the threat of violence from an anti-social minority.
"This is not about banning people from drinking and having fun. It's about stopping people who drink excessively and cause trouble.
"We hope this measure reassures people we are serious about tackling alcohol-fuelled problems, and will use every tool in our armoury to do it."
The borough's first CDZ was introduced in Hounslow town centre in January 2006 and soon hailed as a success by the council and police.
However, the Chronicle recently reported how a similar drinking ban in Feltham town centre had proved less successful, with figures showing antisocial behaviour rose by nearly a fifth during the first three months it was in place.
The scheme is run by Hounslow Community Safety Partnership, made up of local organisations including the council and police, using powers under the Criminal Justice and Police Act 2001.
As well as making the streets safer, it is also used to identify street drinkers and offer them help to control their addiction.
]]>Parishioners at Our Lady Queen of Apostles, in Heston Green, collected about £12,000 for the new spire and cross after an inspection found the old structure was rotting from the inside.
]]> Members of the congregation. led by the parish priest Father Simon Nguyen, reached the target by organising a number of events, including dances and fetes.They were also helped by children from the nearby Rosary RC Junior School, who raised money by holding mufti days.
Although the 35-year-old spire has been replaced, builders were unable to fix the cross as planned in December due to high winds. They hope to return to fit the cross, which has been blessed in a special ceremony, early this year.
Church deacon Reverend James Richards said: "When you drive along the M4 and don't see the spire you realise what a landmark it had become.
"We were determined to raise the money to restore it as soon as possible so people knew we were still here.
"We're very grateful to everyone who helped with the fundraising, especially those children at the Rosary, because we thought it was important for them to feel they were part of the operation."
]]>Several people were arrested when police raided the flat on Heston Farm estate following an undercover surveillance operation.
]]> Cops from Heston Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) spotted drugs being exchanged more than 30 times during the stake-out and the search revealed heroin was being supplied from the property.Bosses at Hounslow Homes, which manages the estate, have now been granted a three-month 'closure order', allowing them to take civil action to re-possess the flat.
Neighbours on the estate, just south of the M4, had long complained about discarded needles and burnt foil littering the stairwells around the flat.
They even claimed their children had to negotiate their way around drug users on their way to school.
]]>Householders in Sutton Road, Heston, first petitioned the council to introduce safety measures on the notorious short-cut in 2004.
]]> They were finally victorious this year when transport chiefs agreed to spend more than £50,000 building speed cushions along the road and a raised platform at either end.Work began on Monday this week but no sooner were the first of six sets of speed cushions up than they had to uprooted.
One resident, who asked not to be named, said he had been told the humps were removed because they were black rather than the standard red in other nearby roads.
"I find it beyond a joke they couldn't get it right after all this time we've spent waiting," he added.
Residents have long complained of commuters using the street as a short-cut between Upper Sutton Lane and Heston Road.
They say drivers regularly speed down the 30mph road, putting pedestrians' lives at risk. Motorists have even been known to end up in people's front gardens after trying to take the sharp bends too quickly.
Tony Cooper, chairman of Heston Community Development Association, was one of the people behind the original petition in 2004.
He said he was mystified by the sudden disappearance of the new speed humps but hoped the work would make a difference to residents' lives when completed.
"Hopefully this will reduce some of the traffic and encourage drivers to cut their speed but we will have to see what the long-term effect will be," he told the Chronicle.
Householders in Sutton Road originally campaigned to have the street closed to prevent people using it as a short-cut.
However, there were fears this would cause congestion on surrounding roads, and a compromise was eventually reached.
]]>Police shut the Hounslow Council-run pool in New Heston Road this morning (Friday) and a 22-year-old man has been arrested.
The suspect has been released on police bail pending further investigation.
Were you at the pool on Tuesday? Do you know more? Call us on 07795 666587, email edsaunt@trinitysouth.co.uk or leave your comments below.
]]>The concert takes place at Watermans Arts Centre in Brentford and starts at 7.30pm. Tickets are £4 and are available by ringing 020 8560 5887 or from info@hounslowfriendsoffaith.org.
]]>The R 'n' B star topped the Billboard Hot 100 today with Down (featuring Lil Wayne), knocking the Black Eyed Peas from their perch after 26 weeks.
]]> The 28-year-old, whose real name is Kamaljit Singh Jhooti, grew up in Hounslow and was studying to become a doctor when his debut album made the UK top 30 in 2004."It's just incredible to have reached number one with my first release in America," he said.
In January this year, he performed a surprise concert for youngsters at Springwell Junior School, in Vicarage Farm Road, Heston.
]]>Banks Yard, in New Heston Road, was named best small development at the Affordable Home Ownership Awards 2009, hosted by Property Ladder presenter Sarah Beeny last month.
Banks Yard, built by Octavia Housing, was completed in July last year and has 28 homes, including 10 'affordable' properties for rent.
]]>Vista Health Club & Spa, at the Vista Centre in Salisbury Road, opened to the public this time last year, with membership starting at just £3.99 a week.
]]> However, members were stunned when they turned up for a workout last week only to be told it was now solely for use by employees.The gym officially closed to the public on Monday, when the year's lease came to an end, following a dispute between the building's owners and the fitness centre manager Ashish Banymandhub.
However, Mr Banymandhub insisted all those who had paid in advance would get a full refund, either from him or the marketing companies they signed up through.
He claimed he wanted to extend the lease by 10 years and had been close to reaching an agreement, only for it to fall through at the eleventh hour.
Zul Virani, manager of the Vista Centre, said Mr Banymandhub had 'failed to fulfil his obligations' and claimed he only became aware this week that the gym had been offering two-year subscriptions.
About 400 members of the public had signed up to the gym, which was promoted as part of the Government's much-lauded Change 4 Life scheme to get people to lead more active lifestyles.
Members seeking a refund are advised to call Mr Banymandhub on 0770 2701 703, Ashbourne Collection on 01564 711 236 or Creative Business Marketing on 01242 691 334. Anyone paying by direct debit should cancel the payment immediately.
]]>Hounslow Homes, which manages the council's social housing, last week agreed a £29m deal with developers Lovell and United House/A2DHG for four projects.
]]>Residents are being consulted about the proposals, with the Passingham House site at Heston Farm estate the first in line for development.
There are also plans to replace rundown blocks and regenerate a disused park at Manor Lane estate in Feltham. However, talks are at an early stage and there is no estimated start date for this work.
Councillor Jon Hardy, lead member for housing, said: "We have a great shortage of affordable family-sized homes in Hounslow and while this move will not eradicate that problem, it is an enormous step in the right direction.
"By signing this agreement, Hounslow shows its continued commitment to providing affordable housing to local people one way or another."
]]>He will be joined on stage at Heston Community School by Team:Dhips and hosts LyonDaPoet and MC Mac among others on Saturday, July 4.
]]> More than 4,000 revellers are expected to converge upon the secondary school in Heston Road, Heston, for the annual carnival.They will be able to enjoy go-karting, fairground rides, food from around the world and much more at the free event, which runs from midday to 4pm.
The themes for this year's festival - organised by HECRA, the extended schools service for Heston and Cranford - are Fairtrade goods and how to save money.
]]>'We regard it as a pilgrimage as we are visiting a number of places of worship on one day.' explained Bessie White, secretary of the group. 'We will meet representatives of the different faith communities in the borough and get to know them and their traditions in respect and friendship. Everyone is welcome to join us for all or any part of this event.'
Contact 020 8560 5887 or email info@hounslowfriendsoffaith.org. For further details about HFOF see www.hounslowfriendsoffaith.org
Baljit Singh Rihal, of The Crossways, was sworn in at a ceremony in central London last month and described the role as a 'tremendous privilege'.
]]> But the dad-of-two believes there is a long way to go before the bench is truly representative of the people it serves."The judiciary belongs to us, and it works better when we are involved," said the 34-year-old BA software engineer.
"Therefore I encourage people to apply and to make a real difference.
"We need to break down the barriers of people just thinking that Magistrates are only retired and white."
Baljit heard about a scheme run by an equalities campaign group called Operation Black Vote, which encourages ethnic minorities to consider a job in the court system. After shadowing a JP in Richmond for six months, he was hooked.
To win his new position the economics graduate had to go through two grilling interviews, stringent background checks and finally impress the Lord Chancellor himself. He has now begin an intensive training course in the law, including some prison visits.
Anyone, other than those in a handful of professions or with serious criminal convictions, can apply to become a magistrate but they must be prepared to sit in court for at least 26-and-a-half days a year.
]]>The far right extremists polled more than five per cent of the total votes cast in the borough.
]]> The Conservatives topped the polls, with 13,926 votes (28 per cent), narrowly ahead of Labour, with 1,2578 (25 per cent).The UK Independence Party finished third, ahead of the Liberal Democrats and The Green Party.
London-wide, the Tories received 479.307 votes, giving them three seats, ahead of Labour, who got 372,590 votes and two seats.
The Lib Dems, UKIP and Greens each secured one seat in the new parliament.
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