I met with several Parish Councillors, the local beat bobby Jamie Quinney and the new Area Inspector Mark Everett for an on-site meeting on this issue on Tuesday night. I’m very pleased to report that we agreed a way forward.We will be approaching the Town Hall for a temporary Mobile CCTV camera to be placed for a few weeks to cover most of the lay-by with suitable signs placed nearby.

If this is agreed and it has the desired effect, the Parish Cllrs present agreed the Acting Chair should propose to the Parish Council that is should set up 2 permanent CCTV cameras to cover all of the lay-by with suitable signs placed nearby. 

If it doesn’t have the desired effect, various options will be discussed that could include setting up Gates or laying temporary blocks. 

I promised all those present at the on-site meeting that I would approach County Hall to discuss the urgent need for some work on Stewartby Way to slow down the majority of drivers who speed along Stewartby Way. The local Police Constable confirmed on Tuesday night that he is regularly catching people speeding and giving out tickets. Action is required before someone is fatally injured.

Just to let you know that I recently received a letter from Bedfordshire County Council.  It relates to the temporary closure of Keeley Lane , Wootton for:

-        2 days during the period Mon 6^th Oct 08 to Wed 31^st Dec 08.

-        One day during the period Fri 1^st May 09 to Tues 30^th June 09.

-        One day during the period Tues 1^st July 09 to Sun 31^st Aug 09.

Why they cannot be more precise on the dates involved beggars belief! 

I would very much appreciate it if you could give me your feedback on the following issues:

a)    Did you receive a copy of the enclosed letter yourself?

b)    If you did, did you think it was enough notice?

My current view is that the County Council does not give enough notice to a large enough number of local residents on such issues. However, I would like your views before I can lobby the County Council to improve the way they do this. Please let me know by either e-mail, letter or phone what your views. I look forward to hearing from you.

You may remember my article in July advising why the County Council contractors made such a “botch” of their attempt to meet my request for Bourne End Road to be resurfaced and that they will be back on site in Sept 08. 

Just to let you know that I have today asked the County Council contractors exactly when in Sept 08 they will be returning to do the proper job that they originally promised to do. 

I will let you know their reply as soon as I can.

I’ve posted several articles about the cruising cars causing problems to local residents near the lay by outside

We’ve launched some new ideas on tackling youth crime that call for sensible action rather than try to talk tough. The ideas outlined in the document A Life Away From Crime also highlight how to stop children who have been found guilty of minor offences from committing more serious crimes.  The main proposals include: 

-          Making young people pay back the damage caused to communities without involving the criminal justice system

-          The formation of a Youth Volunteer Force to engage young people in activities that benefit local people

-          Running nationwide restorative justice programmes, with a particular emphasis on early intervention in schools and care homes

-          Creating a dedicated PCSO youth officer in every area to work with teenagers most at risk of offending

-          Targeting guns and knives through intelligence-led stop and search, hot-spot policing and action in schools 

If we want to tackle the problem of youth crime, we need to take action early to stop kids from embarking on a life of crime before it’s too late.  

The old parties are falling over each other trying to be tough on crime, but nothing is being done do stop young people getting sucked in to a cycle of crime.  Ministers know that programmes to divert kids away from crime work, and are even happy to promote such projects. However, they have failed to fund them properly in favour of punitive policies that grab headlines but achieve little. 

It is time for a new approach to youth justice which both prevents crime and confronts young people with their actions if they do break the law.