LONG EATON BURGLARY

Have you recently been offered designer shoes and jewellery in an unofficial way or circumstances that made you suspicious? You may be able to help police solve a serious crime. A burglary was reported to have taken place at a house in the Derby Road area of Long Eaton on the afternoon of Thursday, August 10th. Gucci and Chanel ladies’ shoes are believed to have been stolen during the incident, together with some Tiffany jewellery.

If you have any information, however insignificant it seems, please contact DS James Bolus on 101 quoting reference 17000341721.

Alternatively, send him a message online by visiting the Contact Us section of our website www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.

You can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

NEW LONG EATON BOOKSHOP

A new bookshop has opened in Long Eaton Market Place with the aim of providing great books at low prices. ‘Books at The Well’ is located above ‘The Well Coffee Shop’ (Formerly known as Andersons Coffee Shop) at 30 Market Place, Long Eaton. All the books are brand new and are priced at ‘Any 3 books for £5.00.’ The shop has plenty of fiction books with non fiction lines like biographies, history and recipe books. The bookshop is a humble start-up with plans to add extra shelves and more variety of books over the coming months.

The bookshop has been opened by local man 25-year-old Luke Wilkins, who at the age of 18 became the UK’s youngest Parliamentary Candidate to stand in a UK General Election when he stood as an Independent Candidate in Erewash in the 2010 Election. In a statement Luke said, “The bookshop is an addition to the coffee shop, providing a great environment to sit, enjoy a coffee whilst browsing books. For local readers, this will be a great source to pick up some fantastic reads at low prices.” Luke has ambitions to expand the business model into other towns and to create a mobile coffee/book shop on a double decker bus which will visit a different town each week. According to statistics the UK physical book market appears to be on the rise, as 'Screen fatigue' sees UK e-book sales plunge 17% as readers return to print.

POLICE REACT TO A REPORT OF AN INCREASE IN CRIME

Officers from the Long Eaton Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team have reacted to reports on social media that crime in the area is on the increase. PCSO Karen Pykett, from the team, said: "We have been aware of certain reports on various social media outlets such as ‘spotted’, of some concerns that crime in the Draycott area is on the rise and we are keen to state that this is not the case. The largely rural area of Draycott, Breaston, Ockbrook and Borrowash remains a lovely, safe place to live and visit and whilst of course it is not problem free we have not seen any significant rise in reported crime. The team works hard to be as visible as possible in the area and are never complacent.”

The team held an event on Saturday, July 29th, outside the shops on Priorway Avenue, Borrowash where they were available to provide crime prevention advice, hand out free crime prevention equipment and property mark belongings.
Karen added:
“Social media is a great way of spreading messages quickly and we have had some very positive results using it. I would suggest that those with an interest in policing in the area follow the force’s social media outlets on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and also our own twitter account which we update regularly with things that are happening on our patch.”
To see the work of the team follow them on Twitter @LongEatonRural.
You can also follow us on Twitter @DerbysPolice, like us on Facebook at derbyshireconstabulary and follow us on Instagram at derbyshireconstabulary.

PHONE STOLEN IN LONG EATON

A man has been robbed of his mobile phone in Long Eaton. Police are appealing for witnesses to the crime, which took place at around 4pm on Tuesday, July 25th. A 20-year-old man was walking along the railway footbridge at Midland Street when a man approached him and hit his case, causing his phone to fall out and land on the floor. The thief picked up the phone and walked away. The victim followed him but the robber then punched him and the pair grappled on the floor before the robber walked off.
The robber is described as white, 6ft 3ins tall and of large build. He was in his mid-20s to mid-30s and spoke with a local accent. He wore a green t-shirt and grey jogging bottoms and had a white mountain bike with blue and black lines on.
Witnesses or anyone with information should call DC Mark Walker on 101, quoting reference 17000317635. Alternatively, send him a message online by visiting the Contact Us section of our website here.
You can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

HS2 VIADUCT A TRULY ICONIC STRUCTURE OR WILL IT DESTROY THE TOWN

The government have confirmed that Toton will be the East Midlands Hub and that the line will pass through Long Eaton on a 16mtre high viaduct. Although most of the route and the choice of Toton was announced in November 2016 the details of how it would pass through Long Eaton were not announced until last Monday (17th July).

Maggie Throup, Member of Parliament for Erewash, who favoured the tunnel option said, “A high level viaduct gives us a fantastic opportunity to create a truly iconic structure.” 

However Ben Timberley of the Stop HS2 Erewash Group said, “This viaduct will do lots of damage and destroy the town. Cutting it in half is probably one of the most idiotic suggestions you could make for economic recovery.”

Erewash Green Party coordinator and recent Parliamentary candidate Ralph Hierons said; ‘The response from all our local politicians on HS2 has been shambolic from the off. Derbyshire County council have been silent as have Erewash Borough Council. With the Labour Party repeatedly proclaiming their continued support for HS2 in Parliament on Monday night, the vested interests of the project seem to have both the main parties wrapped round their finger, nobody is speaking up for the people this will impact on.’

On Tuesday 18th July 2017 Maggie Throup has gained a personal assurance from the Secretary of State for Transport that no Erewash resident affected by HS2 will be left out of pocket as a result of the major national infrastructure project. Following a late night statement to the House of Commons in which the Secretary of State confirmed that Phase 2b of HS2 will run through parts of Long Eaton, Sandiacre and Stanton Gate along a high-level viaduct, Maggie asked:
“Although I welcome the clarity that today’s announcement brings to residents of Long Eaton, Sandiacre and Stanton Gate in my constituency, and the extension of the rural zone to the south of Long Eaton, some of my constituents who have lived in their homes for 40 years or more are being offered only two thirds of the value of their homes and cannot afford to buy another home. As HS2 will be of great benefit to the whole nation, does my right hon. Friend agree that nobody should be worse off as a result of it?”
To which the Transport Secretary replied:
“I do agree, and I am very grateful to my hon. Friend and to the people of Long Eaton; as she knows, we have had a long discussion about whether we should have a high-level embankment or a low-level one, and I hope the solution we have reached is one that her community will support. I am clear that I do not want people to lose out as a result of this, and I extend to the House the request that Members should come to tell me if there are any places where there is a danger of that happening.”
After the statement Maggie added:
“I understand that HS2 splits opinion in our area, with some residents wanting the project to be dropped completely. However we have to accept that HS2 is going ahead, and it is my job as the Member of Parliament to fight for the best possible deal from HS2 Ltd for local residents who are affected by the line of route in Long Eaton, Sandiacre and Stanton Gate.
“I am pleased therefore, that the Transport Secretary has given his personal assurance on public record that he does not want people to lose out as a result of this vital national infrastructure project.
“Ministers also need to address the appalling way in which HS2 Ltd has treated residents up to now, otherwise they risk undermining the project altogether.”

WHITE LION BEER & CIDER FESTIVAL

I discovered from my diary, that I went along to this Festival on the same date (23rd July- Saturday), last year, but this year, it was Sunday. Having had a very late night, & not falling asleep in my chair, I got up after mid-day, & walked to the pub. It was warm, in the sun, & I announced my arrival to the token table. I was made to feel welcome, & a shade was put up for me, at 1 of the tables in the centre of the courtyard. I chose Castle Rock Brian Clough, 4.2% & £1.50, from the list supplied, a pilsner-style pale ale, which wasn't bad, although I don't usually go for this kind of beer. I must mention that I was only drinking 1/2s. To soak up the alcohol, I had a very tasty chicken & bacon mayo crusty white cob, £1.50 & about 600 kc. Other brews worthy of note, were Shipstone's IP Ale, 5.5%, Old Sawley's own Tollbridge Porter, 4.5%, very good of its kind, & Snailsbank Rhubarb Cider- the advertised Lilley's (4%), had run out. There wasn't much of a problem with ales running out, despite this being the last day of the Festival. I had a maximum of 3 pts., to remain standing, & bought a jar of Tomato & Chilli Dipping Sauce from Pete's Preserves- £2.30 for 275g. at the Festival. Music was provided, in the shape of vocal guitarist Asa Greenfield, who played a pleasant 43 min. session. I walked home, as rain began, albeit light, forgetting to redeem my remaining tokens (hope I can get my money back later!). The rain came down heavily around 6 o'clock, but not for very long. I met Fred & his new dog Basil, on Plant Lane. I can recommend the White Lion as a good real ale pub, & the Festival is certainly worth visiting, so mark it down for next year!

C R Davis

BRITAIN IN BLOOM PLANTS STOLEN

Villagers have been left upset by the theft of floral displays they had created as part of Britain in Bloom. A thief has taken a range of displays from across Draycott and Breaston between Sunday, July 9th and Thursday, July 13th.
They have taken:
Five hanging baskets from a group of flats in The Green, Draycott
A bicycle frame fitted with planters from outside a house in Victoria Road, Draycott
Three planters from Wilsthorpe Road, Breaston
A planter from Grange Avenue, Breaston
Planters from Poplar Road, Breaston
PCSO Karen Pykett, of Long Eaton Rural Safer Neighbourhood Team, said the thefts were unusual and it has caused upset among residents, many of whom had created the floral displays. Witnesses or anyone with information should call PSCO Pykett on 101, quoting reference 17000296465. You can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555

BANK WINDOW SMASHED

A window was smashed at the Santander bank in the High Street Long Eaton. The incident occurred during the early hours of Thursday July 20th. Police say one glass panel was smashed at around 3am but there was no one at the scene when they arrived.

WITNESSES SOUGHT

Police have this week relaunched an appeal after an incident in KFC last December. They are trying to trace a group of men who may have witnessed an incident at the Long Eaton restaurant.
Several witnesses have already come forward, however police believe a group of older men could have seen what happened but they are yet to come forward and speak to them. A 19-year-old man and two teenaged boys, aged 17 and 14, have been charged with several crimes following an incident at KFC in Cross Street shortly after 8pm on Thursday, December 22nd. It’s alleged that a group of young men came into the restaurant and were verbally abusive, caused criminal damage and had thrown a golf club at a 22-year-old customer, which broke his jaw. The group had left when officers arrived, as had several potential witnesses who helped staff eject the group from the restaurant.
Witnesses or anyone with information should call DC Amreen Khokhar on 101, quoting reference 16000429268. Alternatively, send her a message online by visiting the Contact Us section of our website www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us.
You can also call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

EREWASH CELEBRATES ANOTHER HAT TRICK

Erewash Borough Council has again retained its Green Flag awards at three popular leisure sites in the borough, it has been confirmed today. (Wednesday 19 July) The good news means Long Eaton’s flagship West Park and Straw’s Bridge Local Nature Reserve at West Hallam have secured the prestigious award for the third time while Victoria Park at Ilkeston celebrates the honour for a seventh successive year. The Green Flag award is the benchmark national standard for England and Wales and is presented to high quality parks, green spaces and nature reserves that have excellent facilities and are well-maintained and well-managed. Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, says:

“This is another tremendous achievement and more good news for Erewash. We are very proud to fly the Green Flags at the three sites, which are now rightly confirmed as among the best in the country. Our continued success is testament to the hard work of our dedicated team who work all year round to manage these sites and we

also send out a very big thank you to the volunteers and the Friends Group members who enthusiastically help us to maintain and further develop the popular sites. They play such a big part in making them such beautiful places for all to visit and enjoy.”

West Park is the largest in Erewash at 127 acres and dates back to the early 1900s. It is enjoyed by thousands of visitors every year and has seen substantial investment over the last few years. It offers an extensive range of sports and recreational facilities including an outdoor gym trail, a skatepark, a splashpad water park, bowls, tennis and football and cricket.

Victoria Park dates back to 1896 and a major heritage project to restore key Victorian features within it has just been completed after the council secured a £740,000 Heritage Lottery Fund grant.

Straw’s Bridge Local Nature Reserve features three ponds that are surrounded by woodland, scrub, meadow and wetland – while it is also connected to the Nutbrook Trail. It attracts many types of birds but is particularly famous for its swans, leading to its affectionate nickname ‘Swan Lake’.