CLARIFICATION ON VOTING

Erewash residents are being reminded that they do not need any photo I.D in order to vote in next month’s borough elections.

As long as people are registered to vote they can do so as they normally would. The clarification comes as two pilot schemes running in Derby and Broxtowe will see voters required to show photo I.D in order to vote in their local elections.

The 2nd May elections will see voters elect 47 borough councillors in total and those elected will represent a total of 19 wards across the borough. Parish council elections will also take place.

Election results will be published on the council’s website www.erewash.gov.uk as soon as they are announced.

DOCKHOLM MAN NAMED

A man who was found dead near to the Erewash Canal on Monday April 8th has been named as 37-year-old Robert Chatwin from Long Eaton. Mr Chatwin was found by officers shortly after 2am, in a wooded area just off, what is known locally as, Dockholm canal path. The path runs between the River Erewash and the Erewash canal in Long Eaton. He was pronounced dead at the scene and officers are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

He was last seen at around 2pm on Friday, April 5th in Walton Street, Long Eaton. He was wearing blue jeans, a grey fleecy jumper and black Nike trainers. If you were in the area at the time and believe you saw Mr Chatwin, or have any other information which may help detectives with their enquiries, please get in touch.
We are also keen to speak to anyone who was driving in the area at the time and may have dashcam footage that shows someone matching the description of Mr Chatwin. If you believe you have video that may help the investigation then it should be downloaded to an external device and secured for officers to view.

 

BODY FOUND IN EREWASH CANAL

Police have recovered a body from the Erewash Canal in Long Eaton. Officers from Derbyshire police were called out to Derby Road at 7am on Saturday 16th March.

Police set up a cordon at the canal bridge on Derby Road Long Eaton shortly after 7am following reports that a body had been seen in Erewash Canal. Local residents say they saw police divers on a raft under Derby Road bridge near Topps Tiles at 9am. Police later confirmed that a man's body was recovered from the water.

Thirty-seven-year-old Mr Thomas Boyle, of Russell Court, Long Eaton, was pronounced dead at the scene – and officers are currently investigating the circumstances surrounding his death.

Mr Boyle family have paid tribute to their “sensitive, talented” son. A family member said: “Thomas was a sensitive, talented young man who was liked by all who met him. We all love him and miss him so much.”

 

Mr Boyle was last seen at 10.35pm on Friday evening walking along Derby Road, Long Eaton, heading towards the town centre. He was wearing a black puffer jacket, jeans and distinctive brown Converse trainers with white soles and red laces.

Anyone who may have been in the area at the time and may have seen Mr Boyle are asked to contact detectives with any information that may assist with enquiries.

Officers are also keen to speak to anyone who may have been driving in the area at the time and may have dashcam footage that shows someone matching the description of Mr Boyle given above. If you believe you have video that may help the investigation then it should be downloaded to an external device and secured for officers to view.

If you have any information which may assist with our enquiries, please get in touch using one of the following non-emergency contact methods.

Please quote the reference number 19*134199 in any correspondence: Phone – call us on 101. You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999.

LITTER CULPRITS FINED

Three local residents have paid the price for dropping litter on the street – with each finding themselves nearly £400 out of pocket after being prosecuted by Erewash Borough Council. The litter bugs were all spotted by the council’s Neighbourhood Wardens and issued with Fixed Penalty Notices, but ended up with hefty fines when they failed to pay and the cases were taken to Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court recently.

 

Jack Greenhough (20), of Wirksworth Road, Ilkeston, was found guilty of throwing down a cigarette packet and leaving it on the pavement on Bath Street in the town.

 

Susan Osbourne (68), of Beresford Drive, Cotmanhay, threw down a cigarette end and left it on the pavement on Bath Street, Ilkeston.

 

Tracey Riley (44), of Collingwood Road, Long Eaton, threw a cigarette end to the ground and left it on the pavement at the Cross Street Retail Park in the town.

 

All three were each fined £220 after being found guilty of a littering offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990. They must also pay a victim surcharge of £30 and the council’s full costs of £127.50 – leaving each of them with a total bill of £377.50. Councillor Garry Hickton, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Environment, says:

“These three prosecutions are the latest of nearly 20 such cases that we have taken to court over the last few months and should serve as another clear warning that we will take action against anyone seen dropping litter. Litterbugs should also take note that ignoring a Fixed Penalty Notice will end up costing you much more. It would be far better if you disposed of your litter properly and join the vast majority of us in taking pride in our surroundings and wanting a clean and welcoming environment.”

The council appeals to the public to help the crackdown on environmental crime by reporting offenders and supplying information through the council’s confidential PRIDE-line number 0115 850 8383 or email prideline@erewash.gov.uk

 

MUSEUM TO HONOUR ILKESTON VETERAN

An Ilkeston war veteran who was awarded France’s highest decoration for his bravery during the D-Day landings is having his medals displayed at Erewash Museum. Sgt Ernest Turner, who passed away earlier this year at the age of 92, was awarded the rank of Chevalier de la Ordre National de la Region d’Honneur (Legion of Honour) in 2016 during a presentation in the Mayor’s Parlour at Ilkeston Town Hall.

His daughter, Lesley Bamford, has now kindly loaned his medals for a long-term display in the museum’s War Gallery and presented them on Friday 7th December, when she was joined by members of the local Royal British Legion branches. Ernest was a long-time friend to the museum, loaning objects about his heroic career and family history, and was also a long-standing member and supporter of the Royal British Legion charity.

Mr Turner’s war service included taking part in the Normandy D-Day landings, which saw him run up Juno Beach where 2,000 men had been killed by German guns just 24 hours earlier. He fought in many Second World War battles through France and was stationed all over the world, later serving in Palestine in 1947-48. Councillor Mike Wallis, Erewash Borough Council’s Lead Member for Culture and Leisure, says:

 

“This is a wonderful way to honour the memory of a truly remarkable gentleman. Ernest was always very humble and it is with great pride that we can display his medals, all of which tell a story of incredible bravery. It is much more than a salute to his memory, these medals are part of history and it will be particularly special for our many young visitors to see them. We would like to thank his family for kindly loaning his medals to Erewash Museum.”

NEW ERA FOR LEISURE SERVICES

The company that will take over the running of Erewash Borough Council’s leisure services has been confirmed as Parkwood Leisure Ltd. Parkwood will manage the council’s leisure services as part of a ten-year contract, resulting in substantial savings for the authority. Parkwood will take over leisure services at Victoria Park Leisure Centre, Rutland Sports Park and Pewitt Golf Course in Ilkeston, as well as West Park Leisure Centre in Long Eaton and Friesland Sports Centre in Sandiacre.

Parkwood will take the leisure services forward from early 2019, with a number of improvements set to be made including the expansion and improvement of gym facilities; new gym, spin and weight lifting equipment; improvements to customer retail and vending facilities, and the introduction of a number of new activities.

Outsourcing the provision of the leisure service will save the council approximately £6 million over ten years. Approximately £1.3 million is expected to be invested to improve facilities for residents with Parkwood Leisure investing £800,000 with a further £500,000 earmarked for upgrading the leisure centres through a loan from the council to be paid back over the term of the contract.

The council has built into the contract protection for a number of local clubs and groups and an agreement that prices will be frozen for a minimum of six months. Councillor Mike Wallis, Lead Member for Culture and Leisure at Erewash Borough Council, says: “Our residents and leisure customers have been at the heart of this process throughout. There has been a commitment to achieve two key aims: to ensure the leisure facilities on offer are invested in and improved and that we, as a council, achieve the important savings we need in these financially challenging times. We believe those aims will be more than achieved and customers will see enhanced facilities and a new programme of activities at our leisure centres. This marks a new era for leisure services in Erewash and we look forward to seeing Parkwood’s plans put into action.”

Peter Fitzboydon, Managing Director of Parkwood Leisure, says:  “Parkwood Leisure has more than 20 years’ experience in running leisure centres. Recently we have invested in our staff and improved our customer experience to help achieve our overall company objective: helping the local community to be happier and healthier. We look forward to working with the council.  

NOMINATE YOUR COMMUNITY CHAMPION

Erewash Borough Council is calling on its residents to nominate someone they admire for their valuable voluntary work in the borough and who deserves a pat on the back for their tireless work for the community. The council has launched its popular Mayor’s Awards to honour the special people of Erewash and is looking for nominations in recognition of those people who willingly volunteer to help others and go that extra mile without expecting anything in return. The closing date is Friday 11th January when a panel will then consider the nominations, looking for evidence of special qualities and service beyond being a ‘good neighbour’. The Mayor of Erewash, Councillor Chris Corbett, says:

“I know only too well just how many unsung heroes we have in this wonderful borough – indeed, I have been truly humbled when meeting many of them and have seen first-hand the selfless work carried out to help others. This is our way of celebrating and recognising fellow residents. I ask people to please take a moment right now to nominate someone you admire. It will be a great honour for me to present my Mayor’s Awards to people who make a real difference to the lives of others in this borough.”

Nominations will be in confidence and publicity only given to people who receive a Mayor’s Award. Please note that awards cannot be made to serving councillors of the county, borough or parish councils or their employees. Forms are available at Ilkeston and Long Eaton Town Hall receptions and online at www.erewash.gov.uk or send full details in a letter to Susan Dunkley, Democratic and Civic Officer, Town Hall, Wharncliffe Road, Ilkeston, DE7 5RP. For more details email sue.dunkley@erewash.gov.uk or call 0115 907 1115.

IMAGES RELEASED AFTER BREASTON GARAGE ROBBERY

Detectives investigating a robbery at a Jet garage in Breaston have released images of men they would like to speak to in connection with the incident. A man carrying a multi-tool went into the Jet garage in Wilsthorpe Road at about 10pm on Wednesday, October 10th and demanded cash. He forced the till and took a small amount of money, as well as a number of packets of cigarettes from behind the counter. The offender then fled on foot in the direction of Long Eaton. He was described as white, and was wearing black trousers and a black puffer-style jacket.

Officers have also released images of a second man wearing a white t-shirt and grey shorts. They would like to speak to him about a separate incident on the same evening, where a car was broken into, in Woodlands Avenue at about 9.45pm. It is believed that this incident may be linked to the robbery. Anyone who recognises these men, or with any information that may assist with our enquiries is ask to get in contact with us. Please quote the reference number 18000487765 when you get in touch.

Facebook – send us a private message to /Derbyshire Constabulary

Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact

Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us. Phone – call us on 101.

You can also call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Please note in the event of an emergency you should always call 999.

ROBBER JAILED

MAN JAILED AFTER ROBBING 102 YEAR OLD LONG EATON WOMAN

A 34-year-old man who robbed an elderly relative has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Ghulam Qudir, of Almond Street, Derby was found guilty of robbery during a trial at Nottingham Crown Court. He was sentenced on Monday, October 15th.

On May 12th this year Qudir visited the Long Eaton home of the 102-year-old victim under the guise of paying his respects after a family death. He later returned once the victim was alone and forced his way into her house. He restrained her and stole gold bangles from her wrists, injuring her in the process. He also took the earrings from her ears and removed her glasses and hearing aid, throwing them on the floor before leaving.

Detective Constable, Claire Croll said: “This was a callous and pre-meditated robbery of a vulnerable person who Qudir knew would not be able to fight back or raise the alarm.This sentence reflects the severity of the crime and I am pleased that this may give the victim and her family some comfort that justice has been done.”

POLICE ON FACEBOOK

All Safer Neighbourhood teams in Erewash are now on Facebook to keep residents informed of policing issues in the borough. The teams covering Ilkeston, Long Eaton, Sandiacre, Borrowash, Ockbrook, Risley, Draycott and Breaston will be posting appeals and updates from across the area, helping to keep residents safe and informed. Followers will also be able to message their own team. PC Matt Boyer, from the Long Eaton Team, said: “This is a really useful new addition for us. Most of the teams have twitter accounts and this is yet another way we can communicate with the community we are serving.

We can update the Facebook or Twitter accounts remotely through our mobile devices and it can only take a couple of minutes, allowing us to give out timely messages and respond to queries and questions while on duty. The accounts will be monitored while an officer is on duty, and not 24/7, so it is important people continue to report crime through the non-emergency and emergency numbers, and there will be a note on the pages reminding users of this important information.”

Give the teams a like, you can find them through the following links:

Ilkeston Police SNT, Long Eaton and Sandiacre Police SNT, Borrowash, Ockbrook, Risley, Draycott and Breaston Police SNT

To report a crime, suspicious incident or non-emergency contact us using one of the following non-emergency contact methods.

Facebook – send us a private message to /DerbyshireConstabulary

Twitter – direct message our contact centre on @DerPolContact

Website – complete the online contact form www.derbyshire.police.uk/Contact-Us. Phone – call us on 101.

Use 999 for emergency situations where a crime is ongoing or life is at risk