THE NEXT MEETING OF THE SEVERNVALE AREA FORUM will be held at SEVERN BEACH SCHOOL on WEDNESDAY 10TH DECEMBER, 2008 at 7.00 pm.

This is your chance to meet the local Severn Vale South Gloucestershire Councillor.  Items to be discussed include Public Transport in our area, and Decision making- local traffic schemes. No doubt the proposed Traveller sites in our area will also be raised and the question of what is happening at the land at Severn Beach Station.

COME ALONG AND GIVE YOUR POINT OF VIEW.

Remember this date 1st December 2008. This is the date the Avon & Somerset Police start their anti Drink Drive Campaign. Everyone wants a Happy and Peaceful Christmas & New Year, but drunk drivers can, and do, KILL. If you think someone should not be driving due to drink you can inform anonymously on CrimeStoppers 0800 555 111 or 0845 4567000. Of course use 999 if urgent. Please take care of your Christmas gifts, do not leave them on view in the back of the car. Do not leave under the Christmas Tree until the last moment, and above all make sure you are all secured.

On behalf of Severn Beach Neighbourhood watch may I wish you all a very happy Christmas and peaceful New Year. Neighbourhood Watch calenders at £1 are available from me either call at 54 Beach Road or telephone 632840.

The meeting commenced with a tribute to Gloria Phipps who was a founder member and sadly died on 6th November 2008.

We welcomed two new members and the new PCSO Chris Baker

Members attended the SGNW meeting with Andy Francis, Melanie Andrews has left her job as coordinator. General crime and car crime has been less but burglaries and robberies are up in the Avon/Somerset area. Members are advised not to leave car keys where they can be seen as the new locks and keys on modern cars prevent thieves breaking into cars they now break into houses to look for car keys.

Volunteers are needed for a range of jobs, one being to ride around in a police car, the person to contact is Caroline Howard 011794 55938.

No crime figures available from Daryl.

Members reported a recent spate of anti social behaviour by youths in cars speeding in Shaft Road Fast noisy mopeds in Gorse Cover Road causing a nuisance and parking on the roundabout at the junction of Church Road, Station Road and Gorse Cover Road causing concern. It is hoped that the new sculpture to be erected at Western Approaches will be delivered soon then a new fence and gate can be completed. The 50mph speed limit in Green Lane needs to be reduced, white lines in Ableton Lane are not being replaced.

Halloween and Bonfire Night passed off without incident in our area, maybe we have the wet cold weather on both nights to be thankful for. 

There is a warning of a scam  - PDS Parcel Delivery Service are putting cards through letter boxes saying that a parcel could not be delivered and a telephone number to ring 0207 239 6635 Please DO NOT RING this number, it is a high premium line and you will receive a high bill for the call and there is no parcel.

The meeting ended with mince pies, cake and wine as we said goodbye to PC Daryl Lodge and Christine Callanan with cards and small gifts. We thank Daryl for his support in our community and wish him well in retirement especially the coastal walk he has planned.  We thank Christine for her hospitality for our meetings held in Ableton Court and wish her well in her new duties in the district at Thornbury.

We wish everyone a happy Christmas and good 

Police seek witnesses to ball bearings incidents (South Gloucestershire)

ADDED: Today 9:15

Two people were shot at in separate incidents invoving a ball bearing gun in the South Gloucestershire area.

In the first incident on Sunday November 2, a man out running in Trevelyan Walk in Henbury at 5pm was shot at and struck in the face with a pellet from what is believed to be a ball bearing gun.

And then 10 minutes later a man walking along Hatchet Lane, Stoke Gifford between the Tesco Express and Parkway Station was victim of a second shooting. After being hit in the face from someone in a car, a second shot was fired at the man but missed.

In both cases a ball bearing gun was used. It is believed it was fired by someone travelling in what is thought to be a small Peugeot car which was believed to be blue or blue and silver.

Police would like to hear from anyone who may have been in either Trevelyan Walk or Hatchet Lane areas at the time of the incidents, who may have information to help police enquiries.

Anyone able to help is asked to contact police at Staple Hill on 0845 4567000.

Male head butted during unprovoked attack (Cribbs Causeway)

ADDED: Today 11:30

Police are appealing for information following an assault on a male in Cribbs Causeway on Saturday 1st November 2008.

The incident occurred at about 15 minutes after midnight, when the 20 year old victim and his friend, were walking along Lysander Road near the roundabout that leads into the yellow sheds site at Cribbs Causeway.

They were confronted by two men and without provocation one of these men head butted the victim in the face causing some bruising and reddening above his eye.

The offender is described as a white male, 17 to 20 years old, 5ft 8in tall, average build, freckles or spots on his face, dark brown spiky hair, and he spoke with a local accent. He wore a white hooded top and dark trousers.

If anyone witnessed this incident or has any other information which may assist the investigation they are asked to contact Staple Hill Police Station on 0845 456 7000.