Hayes Town News - Crime concerns sought

Welcome to the latest edition of Hayes Town News. This week we have some important items besides those about the coronavirus pandemic. These include a new survey of local crime concerns and a proposal to open a new bingo centre in Station Road. There are also lots of changes arising from the relaxation of the lockdown measures starting from Monday 15 June.

David Brough

Chair

Hayes Town Partnership

What are your top 3 crime concerns?

The Metropolitan Police want to hear from people who live or work in Hillingdon Borough about their current crime concerns. The lockdown caused by the coronavirus pandemic has reduced some criminal activities but others continue the same as before. This is your chance to tell those in charge of the Hillingdon Safer Neighbourhood Board what you think needs to be given priority in your area. You have until 30 June to identify your top three concerns by clicking here ,

Face coverings change from 15 June

The previous request to wear face coverings on buses and trains will be replaced by a legal duty to wear them with effect from Monday 15 June . This will apply to everybody except for those with breathing difficulties, children under 3 years of age and people who have genuine difficulty in managing their coverings correctly. Anybody not wearing one without good reason will be refused travel and could be fined. You do not have to wear a surgical mask as these need to be reserved for NHS staff and carers. You can make your own face covering and the Transport for London web site shows you how, Click here to find out.

Dodgy face masks and sanitisers seized

London Trading Standards officers have seized over 6.5 million sub-standard face masks and 8000 fake hand sanitisers coming through Heathrow Airport since the start of the pandemic. Click here to find out more.

Parking tickets to return from 15 June

The Council will start enforcing waiting restrictions again from Monday 15 June although NHS and other key workers will still be able to park for free. Click here to see more details.

No early morning free travel from 15 June

Freedom Pass holders will not be able to get early morning free travel with effect from Monday 15 June . The change is being introduced to reduce numbers travelling and as part of a Government deal to bail out Transport for London. The restrictions will operate between 4 30am and 9am Mondays to Fridays but free travel will be available for the rest of the day and at weekends. Disabled Freedom Passes will not be affected. Click here for more information,

Shops getting ready to re-open

As reported in last week's edition of Hayes Town News many non-essential shops will be able to reopen with effect from Monday 15 June . The Government has published detailed guidance for shopkeepers on how to operate safely but it runs to 33 pages and is much too detailed for small businesses. The Hayes Town Business Forum and the Hayes Town Partnership have therefore produced a two page summary and this has been delivered to all affected local shops. Click here to see the advice. Local suppliers, Minuteman Press of 864 Uxbridge Road Hayes are offering a wide range of signs and materials to help ensure social distancing in shops and other places of work, To find out more call them on 01895 543667 or see their web site by clicking here .

What does 'Test & Trace' mean for me?

The new 'Test and Trace' system came into operation on Thursday 28 May . With the country coming out of lockdown it is more important than ever to identify those who have the coronavirus or who have been in contact with those that have it. If you think you have the symptoms you can now request a test by clicking here . The Test and Trace Team will get in touch with every person who tests positive and they will be asked to identify people they have been in close contact with over the last 48 hours. Tracers will try and get hold of every one of them to tell them to self-isolate for 14 days in order to stop the further spread of the disease. Click here to find out what you need to do if you receive such a text, email or call.

There is a worry that criminals will pretend to be Contact Tracers and try to get hold of people's financial details. The Metropolitan Police have issued advice on what to look out for and how to stay safe from a scam. Click here to find out.

Bingo licence application for Station Road

A company called Merkur Slots has applied to Hillingdon Council for a licence to run bingo at the former Horizon Electronics premises at 58 Station Road.. There was an application some years ago from Coral's to open a betting shop at the same location. It is very near to the YMCA Hostel and Youth Centre and a coalition of local community and religious groups ran a campaign against the granting of a licence because of the potential adverse impact on children and young people and the fact that there were already too many betting shops in the Town Centre. Click here to see the story. We were featured in a television programme about Coral's who eventually withdrew the application. Please click here to see the new application and let me know if you have any comments that you would like passed on to Ward Councillors.

New guidance for reintroduction of sport

The Government has decided that up to 6 people can now meet at outside locations for exercise and Sport England is working with the governing bodies of many different sports to issue advice on what can be done and when from. Click here to find out more.

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