February Safety and Travel News for Holborn.
Learn what security and transport issues might affect you this month.
Safety News:
Graffiti:
Since the start of the year there has been a small increase in the number of Graffiti incidents throughout the BID area. This increase also effects other parts of the borough. However the Safe Neighbourhood Team, PCSO’s and Rangers are all aware of the issue and are monitoring vulnerable sites in an attempt to identify the persons concerned. The number of incidents have gone down and the tagging does not appear to be continuing within the BID area of late. Camden Council are also removing offensive graffiti as we report it.
Special Constable Ben has Been on Patrol:
In January, Ben worked a total of fifty eight hours as a special constable.
During those hours he achieved loads! He was involved in the issue of a number of fixed penalty notices for dangerous cycling, an arrest for immigration offences, drug offences, and a warning for possession of cannabis he also stopped and arrested a person that was wanted on warrant. He also patrolled the BID with his regular colleagues.
All this took place in Holborn, making it safer for you!
Cashpoint Tampering Alert:
We've had several reports come through that ATMs in Holborn have been tampered with- this ranges from cameras installed that record pin-entering to card recording devices. Please take care when using cash point machines and always cover your pin number, if you are not happy with your surroundings then abandon your transaction. Should the machine look tampered with then do not use and report to the branch. It is always better to use a machine within the branch or one that is in a busy area, these are places the criminals are likely to be seen and caught therefore places they avoid placing devices. Check card statements regularly as this is sometimes the first time that you will realise that someone has cloned your card and is withdrawing cash from your account.
Antisocial Cycling:
Antisocial Cycling is on the rise in Holborn. On the 21st of January, a story apepared in the Evening Standard:
"A senior policeman "came close to death" after a cyclist almost ran him over before fleeing. Camden borough Chief Supt Domoinc Clout, on his way to work in Holborn, chased the cyclist who "gave me the finger". He spoke at a town hall debate on registration plates for bicycles."
If you witness or are the victim of antisocial cycling, please inform the Safe Neighbourhood Team 020 8733 6545
Travel News:
Bus diversions to enable major Oxford Street utility replacement work .
Transport for London is advising bus passengers that next year there will be a number of long term bus diversions affecting the eastern end of Oxford Street to allow construction work at Tottenham Court Road station to begin.
Major utility works will need to be undertaken at the eastern end of Oxford Street throughout 2010. Diversions will begin on Saturday 16 January 2010 and are expected to continue until November 2010.
For more information, click here.
Changes to Bus Route 59:
The contract for this route has been retained by Arriva London South and will be operated with a mix of new and existing double decker buses.
Frequency of service will increase from Monday to Saturday to every 6 to 7 minutes instead of 9 minutes. Additional journeys are also planned towards King’s Cross during the Monday to Friday morning peak, with a bus every 5 minutes.
Legible London coming to Covent Garden and Bloomsbury
Legible London, the new way-finding system that has already been introduced West of Holborn, will be expanding Eastwards, helping pedestrians navigate more easily and promoting walking instead of taking public transport or cabs.
Including the Bloomsbury and Strand areas, this pilot will cover a number of distinct neighbourhoods to test the concept of linking the 'villages' of London.
The area runs from Charing Cross Road in the west to Kingsway in the east and is a key shopping destination. It includes a number of 'campus-style' sites such as University College London, University College Hospital and the London School of Economics.
The pilot includes a number of prominent buildings, such as Centre Point, that are ideal landmarks for helping pedestrians find their way around.
Find out where Legible London signs will be appearing in the Clear Zone Partnership area.
The Clear Zone Partnership area pilot aims to:
• Encourage people to walk between the Underground stations in the area, by showing that their journey could be quicker on foot
• Reduce walking times to nearby attractions, such as the British Museum
• Encourage walking between central London's neighbouring villages
Inholborn is already in touch with legible London to coordinate this.
