More on policing the Thames
- Thread starter boatone
- Start date
Captain Coochie
Active member
Why dont officers ask us if they can hop on board and get a lift to the next lock or mooring ? I wouldnt mind myself and would give them a visable presants on the river with no training needed .
byron
RIP
This is an eminently sensible idea
Andrew_Fanner
New member
Very sensible. What happens if there is an urgent call while he is on your boat. Sticks forwards and portable blue flashing light? The silly question would have to be answered, but I'd still happily transport an officer if it would raise his presence.
byron
RIP
I will answer the question. Unless your vessel is a registered emergency vehicle it cannot display a blue flashing light. This applies from a maritime viewpoint too.
RutlandMike
New member
Lobvely and sensible idea but very unlikely in this day and age:
1) Staff shortages mean that any officer must be deployable or redeployable anywhere on the Borough or neighbouring Boroughs
2) Calls are prioritised and if an urgent or more urgent call came in the officer would be stuck up a creek with no paddle
3) Should the officer need his 'lift' to pull over a suspect/offending vessel or respond at speed to a call, no insurance would cover any damage/injuries caused to anyone involved, directly or indirectly whilst engaged in such activities
4) What starts as a crime prevention initiative could backfire. Senior officers would not want the press to have an oppoprtunity to criticise with headlines such as 'PC PUGWASH'
5) Police authorities and the general public would need convincing that the crime rate on the river (taken against that in neighbouring towns and villages) justified such a response and resources.
All sad but true - though the troops would absolutely LOVE the opportunity.
1) Staff shortages mean that any officer must be deployable or redeployable anywhere on the Borough or neighbouring Boroughs
2) Calls are prioritised and if an urgent or more urgent call came in the officer would be stuck up a creek with no paddle
3) Should the officer need his 'lift' to pull over a suspect/offending vessel or respond at speed to a call, no insurance would cover any damage/injuries caused to anyone involved, directly or indirectly whilst engaged in such activities
4) What starts as a crime prevention initiative could backfire. Senior officers would not want the press to have an oppoprtunity to criticise with headlines such as 'PC PUGWASH'
5) Police authorities and the general public would need convincing that the crime rate on the river (taken against that in neighbouring towns and villages) justified such a response and resources.
All sad but true - though the troops would absolutely LOVE the opportunity.
rr_123
Active member
so who do we turn to
There are some people moored up right now at the derelict house next to me, cutting (their own) firewood. When challenged they claimed they bought the house; when "dunno, last week sometime", from whom "some charity or estate agent"
I don't know what the intention is; squatting I have to assume. We have no police presence, the EA tell me to phone the council, the council tell me to phone the EA.
Anyone got any ideas or are we "tax-paying-units" just left to defend ourselves when an incident occurs that isn't revenue raising?
R
There are some people moored up right now at the derelict house next to me, cutting (their own) firewood. When challenged they claimed they bought the house; when "dunno, last week sometime", from whom "some charity or estate agent"
I don't know what the intention is; squatting I have to assume. We have no police presence, the EA tell me to phone the council, the council tell me to phone the EA.
Anyone got any ideas or are we "tax-paying-units" just left to defend ourselves when an incident occurs that isn't revenue raising?
R
teddington_lock
New member
Can't you phone the police and tell them there are trespassers of people attempting to break into ( and squat in ) an empty house ?
Surely the house is private property , it must be owned by someone ?
Where abouts on the river are you ?
Surely the house is private property , it must be owned by someone ?
Where abouts on the river are you ?
rr_123
Active member
It's on the Staines reach between Penton Hook and Bell Weir.
The property is in private ownership, with a somewhat complicated past (and present)
If they've merely stopped to admire the view and use the conveniently left workbench, I wish them well (just a young couple with bit of an attitude?), if it looks like they plan to stay a bit longer will try the police next.
R
The property is in private ownership, with a somewhat complicated past (and present)
If they've merely stopped to admire the view and use the conveniently left workbench, I wish them well (just a young couple with bit of an attitude?), if it looks like they plan to stay a bit longer will try the police next.
R
rr_123
Active member
OK, now they've lit a fire, this is not good...
rr_123
Active member
Actually they've lit a fire in brazier with a load of wood that they unloaded from a tender, they now seem to be clearing leaves and scrub from the garden
I am a little bit confused...
teddington_lock
New member
Are they the 'advance force' clearing the garden for the all night parties when the rest of the itinerant boats arrive later ?
byron
RIP
Are they the 'advance force' clearing the garden for the all night parties when the rest of the itinerant boats arrive later ?
If Pikeys can build where they wish and even make an encampment over a footpath (Queen's Highway?) what chance have you in stopping River Pikeys taking over a riverside home that no one can challenge them on ownership.
Personally I think the Police could act on the basis of criminal damage.
Captain Coochie
Active member
All over to St ains tonight for the biggest party the forum has ever seen . Thatll get rid of them
byron
RIP
All over to St ains tonight for the biggest party the forum has ever seen . Thatll get rid of them
Naah! They will all join in and supply the drugs
rr_123
Active member
And a whole load of forumites lushing it up and listening to loud music late into the night is better than 2 squatters watching tv in what way...?
I'm so pleased that the tens of thousands of pounds that I pay in taxes each year give the security of having at least 3 different agencies to do feck all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I'm so pleased that the tens of thousands of pounds that I pay in taxes each year give the security of having at least 3 different agencies to do feck all!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Doolittle
Member
We had an incident a couple of years ago with a launch moored for six weeks North side (towpath) next to the intake. John the Locky arranged for a Harbour Masters Order to be slapped on its screen requesting it be moved within 24 hours or be seized! John 01932 562208
EA's Bob Smith 01276 454 900 straight talking tell it how it is sorta guy could advise.
I do remember my Mum putting a sprinkler in the garden to dampen the spirits of an over familiar fisherman who insisted on standing on the tumble bay steps leading upto their house! (Shepp back weir)
I think most probably you will have to contact the land registry to find the owners and pursue it that way unfortunately.
Finally, you and I know that hosting the Staines Rugby Clubs party will be the only effective way...
Good luck, keep us posted.
EA's Bob Smith 01276 454 900 straight talking tell it how it is sorta guy could advise.
I do remember my Mum putting a sprinkler in the garden to dampen the spirits of an over familiar fisherman who insisted on standing on the tumble bay steps leading upto their house! (Shepp back weir)
I think most probably you will have to contact the land registry to find the owners and pursue it that way unfortunately.
Finally, you and I know that hosting the Staines Rugby Clubs party will be the only effective way...
Good luck, keep us posted.
rr_123
Active member
Cheers for that!
The neighbours the other side have a contact number for the owner, but they weren't around yesterday.
If it comes down to "civil" enforcement, I know some people who know some people who have dealt swiftly and effectively with this kind of thing in the past!
Captain Coochie
Active member
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And a whole load of forumites lushing it up and listening to loud music late into the night is better than 2 squatters watching tv in what way...?
No idea but i was hoping you would buy the beer and i could have a free pissup
And a whole load of forumites lushing it up and listening to loud music late into the night is better than 2 squatters watching tv in what way...?
No idea but i was hoping you would buy the beer and i could have a free pissup
rr_123
Active member
Hmmm
Starting to look as if they've moved on and so were just peripatetic gardeners of some description after all.
I heard a boat leave last night, and assumed that they were going to the pub (guess one of the advanatages of the liveaboard lifestyle is that you can take your home to the pub so it's never too far to walk home), but in the cold light of day there's no rattly generator, no fire, and they seem to have taken down their TV aerial and washing line ...
If this is the case I have wronged them, but a simple truth when I first asked who they were would have prevented that!
Fingers crossed that NOW it's time for a party
R
Starting to look as if they've moved on and so were just peripatetic gardeners of some description after all.
I heard a boat leave last night, and assumed that they were going to the pub (guess one of the advanatages of the liveaboard lifestyle is that you can take your home to the pub so it's never too far to walk home), but in the cold light of day there's no rattly generator, no fire, and they seem to have taken down their TV aerial and washing line ...
If this is the case I have wronged them, but a simple truth when I first asked who they were would have prevented that!
Fingers crossed that NOW it's time for a party
R