Help change crime and anti-social behaviour in Mile End

Help change crime and anti-social behaviour in Mile End

Safer Neighbourhood Public Meeting

Thursday 7th June 2012 at 7:00 pm

Bow Road Methodist Church, 1 Merchant Street, Bow, E3 4LY

On Monday night there was a violent incident in Eric Street with two rival gangs fighting on the street. The gangs were armed with knives, machetes and a pick axe. Police were called to break up the fighting and rid the area of those intent on violence.

The scene in Eric Street on Monday night

The following is from the MERA website where we posted the first report of this incident Violence erupts on Eric Street

The incident started when a group of young men arrived on the estate in a dark car and chased some local men off Eric Street, cornering them by the entrance to Windermere House. They were attacked with knives but managed to to make their get away. Blood was found in the area but the extent of their injuries is unknown. The assailants returned to their car and sped off.

A further attack was witnessed near the grass area on Eric Street. The weapon used was said to have been a pick axe. At least one person was seen with blood coming from what appeared to be a head injury.

Shocked residents looked on as police arrived in force at around 10.00pm to separate the two groups. The young men involved quickly discarded weapons in gardens and open spaces which were then sealed off by police.

What you should do if you see violence in the Mile End Area

• Phone 101 immediately and report the incident to the Police.  Don't rely on other people. The more reports the Police receive the more they will take notice of an incident.
• In an EMERGENCY call 999
• Do NOT get involved
• If you want observe what's happening make sure you only do so from a safe place
• Keep children indoors and away from the violence
• Speak to the Mile End East Neighbourhood Policing Team if you have concerns about incidents in your area
• Email:MileEndEast.snt@met.police.uk
• Telephone:  020 8721 2848
• Come to Safer Neighbourhood Meetings and tell the Police of your concerns.

Next week there is a Safer Neighbourhood Public Meeting 

at the Bow Road Methodist Church 

on Thursday 7th June starting at 7:00pm

For your information this is the Metropolitan Police Crime Map for Mile End

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Tower Hamlets Police & Community Safety: Residents Question Time 29th September

The Tower Hamlets Police and Community Safety Board is holding a Residents' Question Time meeting

• ON: Thursday 29th September 2011
• TIME: 6.30pm - 8.30pm 
• AT: Idea Store Chrisp Street, 1 Vesey Path, East India Dock Road, E14 6BT.  

This is the second of a series of four public meetings hosted by Tower Hamlets Police and Community Safety Board (P&CSB).  To attend you need to register in advance.  You can also submit questions in advance (details at the end).

These meetings are:

• A chance for the community to have direct contact with the Police Borough Commander, senior Council officers and partners, to discuss KEY PRIORITIES in the community
• A platform for local people to share their experiences and views
• Opportunities to promote and raise awareness of current action being taken to address key issues

The September's public meeting will particularly focus on issues related to:

• drug dealing (20 minutes)
• anti-social behaviour (20 minutes)
• licensing (20 minutes)
• the impact of the 2012 Olympic Games on the borough in terms of crime and community safety. (20 minutes)
• Other issues that affect /impact the community (20 minutes)

Police in Riot Gear in Mile End Park on Saturday 3rd September 2011

Particular issues which concern local residents in Mile End 

We've highlighted below the particular issues which concern a number of residents in the Mile End area.

1.  LICENSING:  Topic - The adverse impact of licensing of the night-time economy on the residents of Mile End

Mile End is a densely populated residential area and needs to be protected from the crime and anti-social behaviour associated with the night-time economy spilling over and affecting people's lives and sleep.

• Were the actions of all those that contribute to the working of the licensing function in Tower Hamlets effective at preventing the events which led to the murder at the Broke/Boheme club (plus prior disturbances) and the identified need to revoke the licence for the nightclub at 562 Mile End Road.
• Will the property at 562a Mile End Road (see Murder nightclub premises for rent) ever again be approved for use as a nightclub?
• How effective were the Police in their regular monitoring of this night-club given past experience and the evidence identified to the Licensing Committee prior to the licence being revoked? (see Broke / Boheme Nightclub Licence REVOKED! and Resolution of the Licensing Sub-Committee re 562 Mile End Road)
• Will the Police continue to seek limits on the extent of extended hours for fast food outlets in the Mile End area given the recognised tendency for this to be associated with crime, anti-social behaviour and littering in a residential area?

2  PUBLIC DISORDER:  Topic - The effectiveness of the policing of the end of the "static demonstrations" on 3rd September which led to 

• the closure of Mile End Road and 
• the appearance of riot police in Mile End Park 
• SEE Serious Public Disorder in Mile End and Stepney Green and Mile End Park - Saturday 3rd September 

The so-called "static demonstrations" at Aldgate and on Whitechapel Road on 3rd September had a major impact on the local community (eg closure of Mile End Road, major traffic jams) and created general disruption to people trying to go about their normal business at the weekend.

The Police also lost control of the EDL leaving the demonstration.  This led directly to the EDL coach breaking down outside the Mile End Mosque, next to the Ocean Estate in Mile End Road, the closure of Mile End Road and subsequently youths and riot police running around in Mile End Park).  (Thanks to Rehan Jamil for use of the photo he took at the time).  

The preface to this public disorder was the riots in August which also raised considerable anxiety amongst local people when it appeared that effective protection by the Police was not available and local communities had to defend themselves.

• We're very surprised to see that neither the riots nor the public disorder following the static demonstrations merit an appearance on the agenda for this meeting
• Would the level of disturbance to local people and the scope for "static demonstrations" to get out of hand (as happened on 3rd September) not be better controlled if such demonstrations were held away from residential areas?
• Would the Police agree that The Town Hall and associated car parks are a more appropriate location for such demonstrations at a weekend?

3.  NOISE NUISANCE:  Topic - Local residents have noted and commented on the more frequent and more extended use of emergency sirens since recent public disorder events.

• While we recognise that use of sirens are essential at times, their use since the Public Disorder appears to have become much more frequent and much more extended.  In the context of recent events this only serves to raise anxiety levels amongst local residents.  Use of extended sirens at night - as has been happening - is anti-social behaviour and constitutes a noise nuisance unless use is strictly necessary.
• Are the Police prepared to be accountable for the extended and more frequent use of ALL emergency sirens used by the Police?
• See STOP excessive use of emergency sirens!

Details of the Meeting

The meeting will be chaired by John Biggs, Metropolitan Police Authority Link member.  The panel will include:

• Paul Rickett (Police Borough Commander), 
• Andy Bamber (Head of Safer Communities, LBTH), 
• Vince Fihosy (2012 City Operations Programme Director, Greater London Authority), 
• Mary Durkin (Head of Youth & Community Learning, LBTH), 
• Colin Perrins (Head of Commercial Services, LBTH) and 
• Rachael Sadegh (Interim Drug, Alcohol, Action Team Co-ordinator, LBTH).

If you'd like a copy of the poster, programme and/or notes of the last public meeting please contact Mark Taylor, Chair of MERA (see the side column for how to do this)

You can submit questions in advance of the meeting.  It's more likely that those who do will get their questions answered.

To attend you MUST register by contacting the following officer on 020 7364 1613 or abu.sufian@towerhamlets.gov.uk

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STOP excessive use of emergency sirens!

Sirens make Burdett Road sound like the Bronx, even tho crime is not especially high
Local resident

Yesterday very high pitched emergency sirens were heard - very loud and very long - in and around Mile End on a very regular basis throughout the day and evening.  

By the middle of the evening, some local residents were getting very fed up and began to complain about the sirens.  Above is the comment of just one local resident.

Emergency vehicles at Mile End
on the evening of Saturday 3rd September 2011
Emergency SIRENS all day long on Monday 5th September!

While we are extremely grateful for the support we get from the emergency services who cover the Mile End area, we really do not need to HEAR them all the time to feel supported!  

Instead, what we prefer to SEE are the policemen on the streets and out of  their cars!  MERA wishes to emphasise that we are always very pleased to see the members of our Local Safe Neighbourhood Team around and about our area.

However, here are some facts which are worth noting.....

• FACT:  What happened on Saturday evening in Mile End Road and Mile End Park - in terms of the attendance of emergency vehicles and the use  of sirens - was exceptional and a complete "one-off".
• FACT:  This is an area where the ward crime data suggests that Mile End East is actually just above average for crime in London.  
• However, within the Mile End East ward, the MERA area appears to have a crime rate which is low relative to the rest of the area.  (ie most of the crime is south of Bow Common Lane and east of St Clements)
• for more facts, see the latest crime data data for the area as reported last week on this blog - Neighbourhood crimes and ASB for Mile End - July 2011
• FACT:  Although we often hear emergency sirens at least once a day, on an average day we generally hear emergency sirens on a very infrequent basis.  From personal observation (and we have some very good good vantage points) these are mostly ambulances taking people to the London Hospital along Mile End Road.
• FACT:  Sirens were heard all day long in Mile End on Monday 5th September.  At one point, they were being heard every few minutes.
• FACT:  Excessive use of sirens scares people!  Given the context of the recent riots and what happened on Saturday evening, the sound from sirens is now particularly anxiety-provoking.   There therefore needs to be a very good reason for a siren to be used.  Their use should also be capable of justification to the local community at all times.  
• FACT:  Some very poor driving by emergency police vehicles using loud sirens and blue flashing lights was also observed on Monday (and we can quote where and when for those interested).

For the record sirens may only be used by emergency vehicles when...

it is necessary or desirable to do so either to indicate to other road users the urgency of the purposes for which the vehicle is being used, or to warn other road users of the presence of the vehicle on the road

Eventually, MERA rang the Metropolitan Police on the emergency number!  We enquired whether there was an emergency going on in the area which warranted the use of sirens every few minutes.  No reply was received which justified the use of the sirens all day long.  This is by way of contrast to previous such enquiries.  On the rare occasions previously when there has been very excessive noise from helicopters and sirens for part of the day or night, feedback from the Police to enquiries has always been most helpful.

As a result of the complaints, about 9.30pm on Monday evening, MERA sent a note of "negative feedback" to the Metropolitan Police via their Your Voice Counts feedback form.

Below is an extract from what was stated

Today, we have heard emergency sirens being used in Tower Hamlets every few minutes. ......never heard sirens being used (before) as much as they have been today.

In the context of the riots and what happened on Mile End Road on Saturday, this is extremely anxiety-provoking.

We have also seen some very unsafe driving behaviour.

I rang 999 and asked if there was a serious emergency warranting the use of sirens every few minutes. I was not given any reply and was referred to 101 - which had a wait of over 5 minutes for a response.

The point which nobody in the emergency services seems to be appreciating is that you are seriously winding up the anxiety levels of the local population.

If it carries on I shall be asking my MP to ask for a detailed analysis of the use of every single siren and the reason why the use has been so excessive today

The times of all the sirens are now being logged by the Mile End Residents Association

Unless there is a serious emergency of the type experienced on Saturday evening, there is absolutely no rationale for the excessive use of sirens to a much greater extent than usual.

STOP SCARING LOCAL PEOPLE

UPDATE: MERA has received this reply today (6th September 2011)

Thank you for your feedback to The Metropolitan Police Service concerning Met vehicle sirens in your area.
Your remarks were reviewed and noted.
Your comments have been passed to the local Borough Command who will contact you directly regarding your email.
We trust that the matter will then be resolved to your satisfaction.
Sincerely

What do you think?

By about 10.10pm, the use of sirens had completely stopped.  Which rather underlines their "misuse" during the rest of the day.


Coincidental?  Draw your own conclusion!

If anybody knows of an emergency which justified the excessive use of sirens all day long and into the evening on Monday do please let us know - as we are still completely in the dark as to what on earth was going on.

Lots of people living in Mile End have lived here for a very long time.  We all know what has previously been assessed as a normal and judicious use of sirens.  Consequently it's very hard for some of us not to draw the conclusion that, following this weekend's events, some emergency drivers were today getting an unnecessary "buzz" from the use of their sirens.  Some were also driving in an unsafe way when this was not justified.

NEXT STEPS


If similar concerns are raised again, MERA and its members will in future 

• monitor the frequency of the use of sirens in this area.  If this is excessive we will start another log of dates, times and how long - but we'd like to emphasise that we'd much rather not have to do this!
• make a record of and report incidences of unsafe driving when this is observed.

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Neighbourhood crimes and ASB for Mile End - July 2011

Crime Map for Mile End East - July 2011

(the pin in the map relates to the location of Ennerdale House on Hamlets Way)

This is what the crime map for Mile End East looks like in July 2011.

• Click this link to see the site related to the Mile End East area (which is larger than the MERA area).  As you zoom in you will note that most of the crime in the area in fact occurs to the south of Bow Common Lane and the east of St Clements Hospital.
• Click this link to enter your own post code

According to the latest statistics for July crime is above the London average for the Mile End East Area as a whole.  

The level of crime and ASB in this area is above average (How was this calculated?)compared with the rest of England and Wales

Crimes and ASB in this neighbourhood

Month	Total	Rate*

Jul 2011

208

18.67

* number of crimes per 1,000 people

Given the location of crimes in the Mile End East area, this suggests that the MERA area does NOT have above average crime.

Below we have extracted the maps relating to the Mile End/MERA area and the immediate area round about and looked at each of the specific types of crime on the maps below

• burglaries
• anti social behaviour
• robbery
• vehicle crime
• violent crime
• other crime

Note that NONE of the crimes are identified to SPECIFIC addresses - just the streets where they occurred).  Also that the pin in the map relates to the post code location of Ennerdale House on Hamlets Way - to give people a chance to orient themselves on the map only.

You can discuss anything which concerns you about the data shown on the maps at the next Drop-in surgery. 7th September 2011, 7:00p.m. at Loweswater House English Street

Burglaries in Mile End in July 2011

Anti Social Behaviour Incidents in Mile End in July 2011

Robberies in Mile End in July 2011

Vehicle Crime in Mile End - July 2011

Violent Crime in Mile End - July 2011

Other Crime in Mile End July 2011

You can read more about the introduction of crime mapping by the Metropolitan Police in

• Local Area Crime Mapping - Tower Hamlets and the MERA area 
• Crime mapping in the MERA Area

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Riots: Met. Police Advisory for Residents and Businesses

The following is copied from the Metropolitan Police website

Advice for the public following disorder

10 August 2011

Whilst those who live and work in London should go about their daily lives without fear - we do however ask that they take sensible precautions to ensure their safety.

We would advise members of the public to avoid any unnecessary travel to areas that have been affected by the events of the last couple of days, and help the emergency services by giving us the room that we need to respond. Make sure you are safe and do not put yourselves into vulnerable positions.

It is possible that your journeys to and from work may be affected so think ahead and plan carefully. Stay alert and be aware of what is going on around you. If you do have any concerns about returning home this evening, you should consider staying with friends or family members outside of the affected areas.

Over the last 24 hour period we have received almost four times more 999 emergency calls than normal (20,800 compared to 5,400). Consequently some callers may experience difficulty in getting through to 999, or waiting longer than usual for their call to be answered. We would ask you to bear with us, and only use 999 in situations that require an immediate police response.

DAC Steve Kavanagh said: "I wish to reassure members of the public that a London wide policing operation is in place to manage any further public disorder in the capital. We are doing everything we can by working with our partners and the community to ensure residents and businesses can go about their daily lives in confidence."

FAQs

Getting information and advice

Where can I get information and advice?
Police are providing the media with information to keep the public informed. Tune in to your local radio or television station for updates or visit our website.

You can also follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/metpoliceuk or join our Neighbourhoodlink Service. For more information visit www.neighbourhoodlink.met.police.uk/registration/

How can I find out local information?
Many councils are providing local updates on the disturbances in their area.
You can find your local council by following the DirectGov link below: Find your local council Opens new window

Travelling in and around London

Is it safe to travel around London?
We would advise members of the public to avoid any unnecessary travel to areas that have been affected by the events of the last couple of days and to keep safe by not putting themselves into vulnerable positions.

It is possible that your journeys to and from work may be affected so think ahead and plan carefully. Stay alert and be aware of what is going on around you.

If you do have any concerns about returning home this evening, you should consider staying with friends or family members outside of the affected areas.

If you need help planning a journey, you can use the 'Travel Tools' on TfL's website. These include tools to help plan your journey and free mobile travel alerts.

http://www.tfl.gov.uk/tfl/traveltools/default.aspx?cmp=BAC-campaign&campaign-id=fwd-TRAVELTOOLS

You can also call the London Travel Information on 020 7222 1234 any time - 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

It can provide journey information like the last tube and bus times, bus stop locations and cab numbers, as well as train, DLR and tram information.

Are the buses safe?
Our Safer Transport Teams are providing support to drivers and providing a visible presence, but please consider whether your journey is absolutely necessary.

Advice for parents/guardians

Are my children safe?
There are unprecedented numbers of officers on the streets of London - over 16,000 today. We are doing everything we can to support communities and keep people safe.

Over the last couple of nights there have been a large numbers of young people placing themselves in situations that were dangerous and violent. We appeal to parents and all those responsible for young people to work together with police to ensure that youngsters do not get drawn into the kind of disorder we have seen.

There is a role for the whole community - police, parents, schools, local leaders and others - to stand together and convey the message that crime and disorder will not be tolerated. (MERA highlighting)

Contacting the police

I can't get through on 999, what should I do?
If it is an emergency please keep trying. We have been experiencing significant demands; almost four times as many calls than normal. We will deal with your call as quickly as possible. If it is not an emergency, please use one of the following:

• calling 101 to report a crime that has already happened, seek crime prevention advice or make us aware of any policing issues in your local area.
• via our website at www.met.police.uk
• via your local police station.

Helping the police

How can I help the police?
You can help us by assisting in the identification of people that have been looting, rioting and committing crime.

Anyone with information should call our incident room on 020 8345 4142. Alternatively you can call the Crimestoppers charity anonymously on 0800 555 111.

We are also publishing images of people wanted in connection with looting. Follow the link below to see if you recognise any of the people we wish to speak to.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/metropolitanpolice/sets/72157627267892973/

Police tactics

What tactic are the police using?
The MPS employs tactics that are primarily designed to prevent injury to members of the public and police officers. In instances where officers have been outnumbered, they have waited until they can intervene with minimum risk to the public. The MPS is determined to prevent further crime and to bring the criminals to justice.

This is the advisory for businesses

Update and Advice for Businesses

MPS Disorder Update for Businesses - 09.28hrs on Wednesday 10th August 2011

Last night London did not see the levels of disorder we saw the previous night. Large numbers of officers on the streets prevented incidents occurring.

The MPS has had the largest policing operation since the start of the disorder. Mutual aid was received from 26 forces across the country. 16,000 officers were deployed over the last 24hrs.

We will continue with similar numbers of officers on the streets of London tonight. This will be reviewed on a daily basis.

The Metropolitan Police Service has now arrested a total of 770 people in connection with violence, disorder and looting. So far 171 people have been charged for a range of offences and we have already started to place people before the courts. 109 prisoners will have been processed through courts overnight. 40 of these have been remanded in custody to appear at Crown Court. 25 of the 109 were juveniles aged 11-15yrs.

The MPS released 20 CCTV images of wanted people. Following this appeal we have already begun to identify the individuals.

A 21-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of starting the large fire at a furniture store in Croydon. The family-run House of Reeves business was burnt down on Monday evening.

Those involved in criminality should be under no illusion that we will pursue you. We have been making arrests all evening and have a team working during the night examining CCTV images. We will follow up evidence in the coming days in order to bring anyone else responsible for criminal acts to justice.

Officers and staff continue to work long hours at short notice in very challenging circumstances.

We continue to have the plans and resources in place to respond to any further disorder, deal with normal policing across the city and keep Londoners safe.

At 1500 hours today, Commander Rodhouse will be chairing a meeting hosted by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. The purpose of the meeting is to expand on discussions from a previous meeting with business leaders, as well as seeking feedback on the measures that have been implemented so far. In attendance will be senior representatives from business groups including the Business Retail Consortium, Association of British Insurers, CBI and British Chamber of Commerce, along with Mark Prisk MP, Minster of State for Business and Enterprise, and representatives from London Councils, the Greater London Authority and the Metropolitan Police Authority.

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Murder Club should NOT have been open!

At tonight's meeting of the Tower Hamlets Licensing Sub-Committee, MERA confidently expects that Benn Wilson's Licence to operate a nightclub at 562a Mile End Road will be revoked.

It's now very clear from police statements made by Benn Wilson (licensee) and Dante Williams (manager) that, IF they had complied with the terms of the Licence:

1. The Boheme Club at 562a Mile End Road should have been closed on the night of the murder - as the licensee was unable to comply with the terms of the licence
2. Consequently IF the licensee and the manager had behaved responsibly and IF the club had been closed it follows that:
• Public Safety would have been properly protected
• Kelvin Easton could not have been in the club 
• Kelvin Easton would not have been murdered and he would still be alive today.

Benn Wilson's statement to the Police on 31st March 2011
It clearly indicates a bill dispute led to his supplier removing the monitor and CCTV hard drive in mid-March

The police statements provided as evidence to the Licensing Hearing (see Committee Agenda: Supporting Doc’s – Boheme Club, item 4.1   PDF 2 MB) include extracts from police statements made by 

• Benn Wilson (the Licensee - responsible for complete compliance with the terms of the Licence) and 
• Dante Williams (the Manager - and responsible for the operation of the club so that it complied with terms of the Licence).  

In opening the Boheme club on the night of 26th / 27th March 2011 both Wilson and Williams displayed COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR PUBLIC SAFETY.  They both knew that:

• CCTV had not been operational in the club since mid-March
• the CCTV hard drive and monitor had been removed (by the supplier due to an unpaid bill)
• the terms of the Licence meant that the Club could not open or operate unless CCTV was in place and working
• consequently they had no Licence to operate the club on that evening.

Not only did they fail to comply with the Licence - and keep the club closed - they also conspired to LIE TO THE POLICE as follows.  (see Catalogue of lies and incompetence from Boheme on the MERA website)

• Both men conspired to prevent the Police from finding out the CCTV was not operational at the time
• False statements were made to the Police 
• Both men only told the police the truth about the CCTV 3 days later - but only
• AFTER the Police had told the Licensing Authority that they had been told that the CCTV had been stolen around the time of the incident (ie this was one of the grounds for the suspension of the licence)
• AFTER their version of events on the night was challenged by the Police

From our perspective the witness statements seem to suggest that, in technical terms, both men appear to have conspired to make false statements, obstruct the police investigation and pervert the course of justice.  

We also note the two other witness statements offered in evidence by the Police provide additional evidence of the disregard for public safety through the operation of proper security.  The statements indicate that:

• people claimed they entered the venue without having to produce any form of ID - which is another requirement of the Licence
• the form of search was a standard pat down - there is no mention of the use of all of the required electronic aids (i.e. search wand, search arch and ID scan)

Police search the Eric and Treby Estate looking for evidence following the murder
Maybe they were looking for a stolen CCTV hard disc?

The MERA Representation

Mark Taylor, Chair of MERA, will be representing MERA views on what should happen about the Licence to the Committee this evening.  MERA was unaware of the police statements when MERA submitted its statement.  

However Mark will reinforce the additional points of importance made in our formal statement:

• The licensee has not complied with the terms of licence
• Increased levels of crime, public disorder and public nuisance in the area are all directly attributable to the club.  When the club is closed the problems go away
• The business model proposed by the Licensee was unsuccessful - as predicted by residents in 2009.  This has led to a reversion to running events targeted at people who used to frequent the previous clubs at this venue - something that the Licensee had said they would not do.
• Both licensee and manager have been irresponsible in their marketing of the club.  Latterly it was actively marketed to the old Purple/E3 crowd (via flyers, Facebook, Twitter and Blackberry messages)
• The venue is wholly unsuitable for any form of extended hours operation given the residential nature of the immediate neighbourhood, the frequent level of disturbance in the small hours - and new accommodation currently being built a few feet from the rear of the premises
• Proposals for reducing the impact of the club on residents living in the local area have NOT been fully implemented and have NOT been successful
• The venue has been repeatedly targeted by people who cause crime and disorder and anti social behaviour.  
• Operating under three different licensees, there has been a consistent pattern of problems which have a serious and negative impact on the local community - which must stop once and for all.
• The club is targeted by people who have used it in the past - and caused trouble (as in Purple and E3 days)
• This club is importing unwanted and unnecessary violence into Mile End.

What needs to happen at the Tower Hamlets Licensing Sub-Committee

These are the actions MERA wants to see happen tonight at the Licensing Sub-Committee

• the Licence should be REVOKED
• both Licensee and Manager should be BANNED from holding a Licence or any involvement with the running of licensed premises.
• the Committee should indicate that it is very unlikely that it will approve any new application for a Licence within the context of the new licensing terms of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill - which is due to become law in the very near future

Benn Wilson was recently fined £6,000 by the Council for flyposting in the neighbourhood.  MERA would also like to know what's the price of a human life.

Specifically

• What financial penalty can be imposed on Benn Wilson for such a very serious breach of the Licence?
• Are the Police going to prosecute Benn Wilson (the Licensee) and Dante Williams (the Manager) for their actions and lack of action - which to us seem to reflect both incompetence and negligence.

We'd also like to know how either man explains their actions to the family of the man who died.

THE LICENSING SUB COMMITTEE WILL MEET TO REVIEW THE LICENSE

Today – Thursday, 21 April 2011 at 6.00 p.m.

Council Chamber, Town Hall, Mulberry Place, 5 Clove Crescent, London, E14 2BG

The meeting is open to the public so do attend if you are interested in the future of the club. To get there take the 277 bus to Leamouth and get off at the last stop. Map here More travel details here

Links: MERA News Blog:

• Police Appeal for witnesses to murder in Mile End
• Review of Night Club Licence - what happens next
• Large blade used in murder at Mile End
• Police Appeal for Information continues
• Broke / Boheme Nightclub Licence REVOKED!
• Previous posts about the nightclub 

Did you attend Boheme that night?
Did you see or hear anything?
Do you have any information?
Call 020 8345 4142
Or if you wish to remain anonymous phone Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

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Large blade used in murder at Mile End

Reports are circulating which allege:

1. A large blade was brought into the Boheme Nightclub - through the "security systems" and was used to stab Kelvin Easton in the chest inside the nightclub which is located on the corner of Mile End Road and Burdett Road
2. the CCTV footage of the incident has been retrieved

If true, this suggests that the statement issued by Benn Wilson (the owner) and Dante Williams (the manager) after the incident on 27th March was incorrect on two counts.  He was NOT stabbed by a champagne bottle as they suggested (ie security was breached) and the hard drive CCTV footage was not stolen.  Other sources have however suggested that the CCTV footage is still missing.

Have your Say

MERA is submitting a detailed representation to the Licensing Authority in connection with the Full and formal Review of the licence.  We urge local residents to also have your say.  See Review of Night Club Licence - what happens next

The current draft of our summary can be found below

________________________________________________________________

In summary, MERA considers that:

• This venue is a wholly inappropriate location for a nightclub in a densely populated residential area
• Mile End is an area of average level of crime compared to London as a whole.  Residents’ experience has been that
• Quality of life improves significantly when the club is closed
• When the club is open, violence, public disorder, anti-social behaviour and nuisance increase and the level of amenity decreases.  This has contributed to higher than average levels of ASB in this area
• The business model identified by the licensee in the application for a licence has not been followed.
• Club activities have reverted to those which have generated repeated problems of violence, public disorder and nuisance under different licensees in the past
• The licensee has not complied with all the terms of the licence

A killing has now occurred inside the club and this concerns MERA and local residents greatly.  We consider that this is due to

• The licence being granted by the District Judge on appeal after having been refused by the Tower Hamlets Licensing Authority
• The nature of the events being run following the failure of the business model proposed for the licence
• The lack of proper management and supervision of security arrangements and
• Lack of compliance with the licence conditions.

We understand West End Clubs BAN the sort of event that this club has been running because of the level of violence and disorder they generate.  

We are absolutely unequivocal that these sort events have no place in Mile End and MERA will be asking the Licensing Authority to REVOKE the licence.

Over the last year, representatives of Mile End Residents Association have attended the regular monthly monitoring meetings with the licensee Benn Wilson.  Local residents have given up their time to try and address the issues that have predictably arisen since the Club reopened a year ago.

We recognise that the Licensee has listened to residents and has made an effort to address the concerns of residents.  However the club continues to cause problems and local residents want it closed.

• Noise venting from the club and affecting Wentworth Mews and accommodation nearby has now been reduced but it took a long time and it has not been completely eliminated as a problem.  It will become a much bigger problem again as the construction of new accommodation immediately to the rear of the club is completed.
• Management appear to be unable to control the activities of DJs who switch off the noise limiter.
• The valet parking solutions have been ignored by clubbers and have not worked - as predicted by local residents. There have been numerous problems with the noise, nuisance and public order issues associated with clubbers continuing to park in local streets and generate noise and general anti-social behaviour
• Such problems have been particularly marked when the club has been hired out for private events
• We have not been advised of private events that have proved to be problematic.  Nor were we advised about the recent reopening of the club on a Saturday

As predicted by residents at the application stage, the business model proposed for the club has not worked.  There is no way the Broke Club was attractive or commercially viable opening as a DJ hosted music venue targeted at Canary Wharf workers on one or two nights a week.

The club closed after Christmas.

It recently reopened under a new name (Boheme) and new management.

However to us, it’s as if the Club E3 (and all its previous incarnations), has returned to Mile End with all the associated challenges that this has for management and security control and the potential implications in terms of serious crime, disorder, public safety and nuisance…..

..…and then somebody was killed in the club.

E3 Reunion: Facebook entry for the event on the night of the murder

________________________________________________________________

What's the deadline for representations?

Time is very short to make repesentations - ALL representations must be received by midnight on Friday 8th April 2011.  


We have emails from the Licensing Services Manager at LBTH that all personal information from any submission to the the committee will be redacted (ie deleted). So no personal information from comments will be in the public domain. LBTH say this policy has been in place for just over eight months.


If you do wish to make your views known, whether to support the club or to oppose it, you can:

• write a letter addressed to The Licensing Department, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Licensing Section, Mulberry Place (AH) PO Box 55739, London E14 1BY.    
• email your views to licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk BY MIDNIGHT ON 8TH APRIL

Contact Jacqueline Randall, the Licensing Manager or Tower Hamlets Council if you have any queries. You can send them to either:

• licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk or 
• jacqueline.randall@towerhamlets.gov.uk 
• or you can call 020 7364 5008

Any information provided which does not address one of the LICENSING OBJECTIVES will be DISREGARDED at the Hearing.  The licensing objectives

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

If you have been affected by the club we would urge you to make your views known in writing to the Tower Hamlets Licensing Committee.

• Our experience to date suggests that personal letters count a lot on such matters.  
• If you need help to write a letter please contact us on info@mile-end-residents.co.uk or the MERA Hotline No (talk or text) 07932 626340

Information about the Murder

Anyone with information that may assist the Police in finding out how this happened should call:

• the incident room on 020 8345 4142; 
• if you wish to remain anonymous you can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111

See Police Appeal for witnesses to murder in Mile End

The Voice Online quotes Detective Chief Inspector Charles King, the lead investigator as saying

“We know some people don’t have a lot of faith in the police, but if no one will speak to us, we can’t do our jobs properly. If you saw something and choose to keep it to yourself, you will have to live with the knowledge that his killer is still walking around. Next time, it could be your friend or your boyfriend.”

Investigators have a full list of names of all the people who were scanned as they entered the club, credit card receipts from drinks purchased at the bar, guestlist names, and CCTV footage from inside and outside the venue.

Please note:

1. Comments are closed on this post.  Anybody wishing to comment should use the posts on the MERA website
2. No anonymous comments are published on this blog.
3. People who wish to remain anonymous and also offer information to the Police can call Crimestoppers 0800 555 111

Links:  MERA News Blog:

• Police Appeal for witnesses to murder in Mile End
• Review of Night Club Licence - what happens next
• Large blade used in murder at Mile End
• Police Appeal for Information continues
• Murder Club should NOT have been open!
• Previous posts about the nightclub 
• Broke / Boheme Nightclub Licence REVOKED!

KEEP UPDATED: Subscribe to MERA - Mile End Residents Association Blog by Email

Review of Night Club Licence - what happens next

Notice posted outside 562a Mile End Road

Below you can find links to relevant information relating to the Review of the Licence for the nightclub at 562a Mile End Road following the murder of Kelvin Easton in the early hours of 27th March.

• "What Happens Next" outlines 
• the process for making a decision on the Licence 
•  how local residents can make representations to the Licensing Authority.  
• PLEASE NOTE Representations to the Review need to be submitted in the next week - before Friday 8th April
• Any queries contact info@mile-end-residents.co.uk

For your information, you will also find listed below details of the following

• SUSPENSION / FULL REVIEW OF LICENCE: The first application below relates to the Metropolitan Police Application to suspend the licence for 28 days pending a Full Review
• ORIGINAL APPLICATION The second application relates to the original application for a licence. This contains details of the claims by the applicant relating to how the Club would be operated and what changes would be made to ensure that there was no repeat of the sort of behaviour which led to the licence of the previous club being revoked

See also Police Appeal for witnesses to murder in Mile End

What Happens Next

On Tuesday night, the LB Tower Hamlets Licensing Sub-Committee decided to suspend the licence until the next hearing which must take place within 28 days from the paperwork being submitted to the Council by the police (received on the 28th March 2011)

This means a Full Review Hearing will be held before Sunday 24th April 2011 - which in practical terms will mean before Friday 22nd April.

There are specific rules for how hearings are conducted and you can read more about them here - Licensing Committee - Rules of Procedure for Hearings

The Authority will disregard any information given by a party, or any other person appearing at the hearing, which is not relevant to:

a) their application, representation or notice; and

b) the promotion of the licensing objectives or the crime prevention objective where notice has been given by the police.

Licensing Committee - Rules for Hearings

Who can make a representation to the Hearing?

If you live in the vicinity of the premises and have been affected by the activities of the club in terms of nuisance to you or your property you can make a representation.

Those of most importance to the Hearing are likely to be what's known as interested parties.  Interested parties are defined within the Licensing Act 2003 as:

• A person living in the vicinity of the premises
• A body (e.g. a residents association) representing people that live in that vicinity
• A person involved in a business in the vicinity of the premises
• A body (e.g. a trade association) representing people involved in businesses in the ‘vicinity’ of the premises

Both Mile End Residents Association and the Quiet Night organisation will be making formal representations.

MERA would encourage anybody who feels that they have something to contribute to submit a representation.  See below for more details of how to do this.

What's the deadline for representations?

Time is very short to make repesentations - ALL representations must be received NO LATER THAN FRIDAY 8TH APRIL

If you do wish to make your views known, whether to support the club or to oppose it, you can:

• write a letter addressed to The Licensing Department, London Borough of Tower Hamlets, Licensing Section, Mulberry Place (AH) PO Box 55739, London E14 1BY.    
• email your views to licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

Contact Jacqueline Randall, the Licensing Manager or Tower Hamlets Council if you have any queries. You can send them to either licensing@towerhamlets.gov.uk or jacqueline.randall@towerhamlets.gov.uk  or you can call 020 7364 5008

If you have been affected by the club we would urge you to make your views known in writing to the Tower Hamlets Licensing Committee.

• Our experience to date suggests that personal letters count a lot on such matters.  
• If you need help to write a letter please contact us on info@mile-end-residents.co.uk or the MERA Hotline No (talk or text) 07932 626340

What should your Representation say?

If you are an individual, you need to focus on your own personal experience

Any information provided which does not address one of the LICENSING OBJECTIVES will be DISREGARDED at the Hearing.  The licensing objectives are:

• The prevention of crime and disorder
• Public safety
• The prevention of public nuisance
• The protection of children from harm

If interested parties believe that granting a licence in the terms it has been applied for is likely to have an effect (whether positive or negative) on the promotion of one or more of these objectives, they can make a representation to the relevant authority.

Representations should provide evidence

All representations must be about the likely effect of granting or varying the licence on the promotion of at least one of the four licensing objectives. It would be wise, therefore, to explicitly link any representation to one or more of the objectives.

There is no requirement for an interested party to produce a recorded history at a premises to support their representations…… However, it will assist their case if the representations are specific to the premises and evidence based. Licensing authorities will need to be satisfied that there is an evidential and causal link between the representations made, and the effect on the licensing objectives
Guidance for Interested Parties - Making Representations March 2010

Interested parties have a number of rights under the Act

If they think granting a new, or changing an existing licence or certificate would undermine any of the licensing objectives, interested parties can make representations to the relevant licensing authority. They can also ask the licensing authority to review a licence or certificate if problems occur which undermine the licensing objectives.

That means anybody in the local area who is an interested party can comment.  Issues relating to the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the prevention of public nuisance are relevant to this Review.

To help interested parties engage in the licensing process, the government has issued the following Guidance notes:

• Guidance for Interested parties - Making Representations   (PDF 68kb) 
• Guidance for Interested parties - Appealing licensing decisions in the courts (PDF 81kb) 
• Guidance for Interested parties - Applying for a review (PDF 183kb)

Note also that all personal data is redacted from the report that is in the public domain, this includes signatures, full adresses, email addresses and telephone numbers to ensure full compliance with the Data Protection Act .

Consultation and impending changes to the Licensing Law

The Coalition Agreement included a commitment to overhaul and rebalance the Licensing Act 2003:

• in favour of local communities 
• to give local authorities and the police much stronger powers to remove licences from, or refuse to grant licences to, any premises that are causing problems in the local area.

Since the original licence application and the granting of the Licence for the nightclub at 562a Mile End Road, the Government last year reviewed Licensing arrangements with specific attention being paid to alcohol related crime and disorder.

You can find out more discover more about the government's response, the consultation analysis, the proposals and the factsheets on the Rebalancing the Licensing Act consultation page

The Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill 2010-11 was due to receive its third reading in the House of Commons on 31st March 2011.

The new Act will amend and supplement the Licensing Act 2003 with the intention of ‘rebalancing’ it in favour of local authorities, the police and local communities.  For example, the Government is now very keen that licence applicants give greater consideration to the local area when making their application.  Examples relevant to this area include:

• Applicants to give greater consideration to the local area when making their licence application. (PDF file - 60kb)
• removing the vicinity test for interested parties

Applicants will be required to provide contextual information as part of the licence application form on issues such as the local area’s social- demographic characteristics, specific local crime and disorder issues and an awareness of the local environment which will be of benefit to the licensing authority when determining the application. Specific local issues, such as crime and disorder issues, are likely to influence the steps that applicants will need to take to promote the licensing objectives in their own premises and applicants will therefore be required to demonstrate an awareness of such issues when setting out why particular steps will be taken to promote the licensing objectives.

Licensing Sub Committee Tuesday, 29th March, 2011

(Link to website page for this committee)

The process to be followed when considering Licences is detailed in the Agenda reports pack PDF 2 MB

The Police applied for a suspension of the Licence at a specially convened meeting of the Licensing Sub Committee of Tuesday evening.  The following documentation identifies the GROUNDS FOR CONCERN leading to the application.

That in the opinion of a senior police officer of the Metropolitan Police the above premises are associated with serious crime and disorder

Application for a Section 53A Review of the Premises License for Boheme (formally Broke London) 562a Mile End Road, London E3 4PH (73/011) (PDF 59kb) The above details the process to be followed by the Committee.  Members were asked to consider whether interim steps were necessary for the promotion of the licensing objectives as follows

• The modification of the conditions of the premises licence 
• The exclusion of the sale of alcohol by retail (or other licensable activities) from the scope of the licence
• The removal of the designated premises supervisor from the licence
• The suspension of the licence

The Police sought and Members agreed a suspension of the Licence pending a Full Review within 28 days.  This was based on the very serious consequences following management and staff failure  concerning searching of the customers and the security of the CCTV equipment (which was removed by an unknown male following the incident that resulted in the death of Kelvin Easton).

The application for the review of the Licence made by a senior officer of the Metropolitan Police is contained in Boheme Appendices Only  PDF 2 MB

• The form applying for a summary licence review is contained in Appendix 1.
• The Certificate under Section 53A of the Act is contained as Appendix 2. 
• The current licence is in Appendix 3.
• Appendix 4 sets out the Expedited/Summary Reviews Guidance (ie how these should be conducted)

Licensing Sub Committee 
Thursday, 27th August, 2009

Below you can find the original application for the licence and details about the claims made by the applicant as to how the club would be managed and what measures would be taken to prevent a repeat of the previous incidents of violence, disorder and nuisance to nearby residents.  These incidents led to the previous licence being REVOKED after an application by the Police.

Application for a new premises licence for Former Club E3, 562a Mile End Road, London E3 4PH (LSC016/910)  PDF 68 KB

It was noted that previous events, style of music, and dress code had largely contributed to the nuisance caused to local residents as it attracted gang culture, weapons, violence etc. Mr Walsh stated that the club would not have outside promoters, would have a formal dress code and the capacity of the club would be reduced from 700 to 500.

Additional documents:

• MileEndRd562a.Apps, item 5.1   PDF 9 MB
• MileEndRd562a Jul09 Addendum, item 5.1   PDF 293 KB
• Additional info, item 5.1   PDF 542 KB

◦ Meeting of Licensing Sub Committee, Thursday, 27th August, 2009 7.00 p.m. (Item 5.1)

UPDATE Links:  MERA News Blog:

• Police Appeal for witnesses to murder in Mile End
• Large blade used in murder at Mile End
• Police Appeal for Information continues
• Murder Club should NOT have been open!
• Previous posts about the nightclub 
• Broke / Boheme Nightclub Licence REVOKED!

KEEP UPDATED: Subscribe to MERA - Mile End Residents Association Blog by Email