Author Archives: SE16.com

Cops foil audacious ‘multi-million-pound’ Surrey Quays Santander bank plot

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Officers from the Metropolitan Police’s central e-cime unit (PCeU) have arrested 12 men in connection with an audacious attempt to take control of a bank’s computer in order to steal from them.

On Thursday officers arrested 11 men aged between 23 and 50 years in Hounslow in connection with an allegation of conspiracy to steal from Santander Bank.

A further arrest of a 34-year-old man was made at Vauxhall Bridge Road in connection with the same offence.

Searches have been carried out at a number of addresses within Westminster, Hounslow, Hillingdon, Brent and Richmond, and also in Slough, where property has been seized.

The Met says that the arrests are the result of a long-term, intelligence-led, proactive operation by the PCeU.

“Yesterday’s time-critical, dynamic response was achieved by working in partnership with the banking sector, thwarting a very significant and audacious cyber-enabled offence, and avoiding multi-million-pound losses from Santander at Surrey Quays Shopping Centre,” said a police spokesman.

The offence involved deploying a KVM (keyboard video mouse) device, fitted to a computer within the bank branch, allowing the transmission of the complete desktop contents of the bank computer over the network. In effect, this allowed the suspects to take control of the bank computers remotely. Those arrested are currently in custody at a London police station.

Detective Inspector Mark Raymond, of the PCeU, said: “This was a sophisticated plot that could have led to the loss of a very large amount of money from the bank, and is the most significant case of this kind that we have come across.

“I would like to thank our partners from the industry who have provided valuable assistance throughout this investigation.

“The PCeU is committed to tackling cyber-crime and the damage it can cause to individuals, organisations and the wider economy.”

 

Volunteers wanted for local history theatre production

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Over the last year, London Bubble Theatre Company has interviewed more than 45 people from Bermondsey, Rotherhithe and Deptford as part of their intergenerational local history project.

Supported by funding from the Heritage Lottery, From Docks to Desktops aims to explore the history of Work in our  area and explore how it’s changed since the time of Stevedores, Dockers and Peak Freans.

Bubble’s intergenerational, community cast are now working with a script, created entirely from these interviews, and are planning performances in November 2013.

“We’ve been delighted with the response to our call out for people willing to share their stories, but Bubble is still in need of more volunteers to help transcribe the interviews and take these stories back out in to the local community,” said a spokeswoman for the comapny”

Can you help? Whether it’s offering a few hours to transcribe an interview or giving time to support taking the road show out and about.

If you’d like to help, Bubble would love to hear from you.

If you would like to help Bubble and are able to give a few hours of your time please contact Claire Sexton on 020 7237 4434 or email [email protected]

“Woefully slow” SE16 broadband raised in House of Commons

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Simon Hughes MP has raised the issue of slow internet connections on the Rotherhithe Peninsula in the House of Commons.

“May I remind the minister that literally four miles from here, in Rotherhithe and Surrey Docks, in the capital city, there are still areas that are have woefully slow broadband, to the disadvantage of a very dynamic community?

“Will he look again to see whether we can speed up both BT and the programme so that the capital city, like the rest of the country, can have the broadband it needs to be the most efficient and effective that it can be?”

Culture, communications and creative industries minister Ed Vaizey  replied: “I will happily work to ensure that for the capital. There will always be pockets of slow broadband.

“I was interested to read recently about a couple from Cornwall who went to visit Google in silicon valley and found that the superfast broadband speed in the hotel was slower than it was in Cornwall, which is the result of our programme.”

Broadband: 5 Sep 2013: House of Commons debates – TheyWorkForYou.

Tideway Sailability charity ‘not paid’ by City Hall for 2012 sport activities

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Liberal Democrat London Assembly member Caroline Pidgeon has tabled the following question to Boris Johnson for next week’s Mayor’s Question Time.

I have been contacted by Tideway Sailability in Southwark who still have not been paid by the GLA for the FreeSport activities they delivered in 2012. Can you please ensure that this, small volunteer run, organisation are paid their grant?

Mr Johnson’s answer will be published later this month.

Police appeal to trace missing 12-year-old from Bermondsey

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Police are appealing for assistance in tracing a 12-year-old girl who has not been seen since Monday 26 August.

Lily Hubbard was last seen in Ryder Drive.

She is a white female of average height and medium build with dyed auburn hair. She was wearing a blue denim skirt, a union flag top and blue and white Nike Air trainers.

Anyone with information is asked to call Walworth CID on 020 7232 6188, the police non-emergency line on 101 or Missing People on 116 000.

Where should the Surrey Quays dolphins go?

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Family of dolphinsThe  sculpture which once stood within the Surrey Quays Shopping Centre now needs a new home and Southwark Council wants your ideas.

The Family of Dolphins  by David Backhouse is a 2.74-metre sculpture which was given to Southwark Council. Through a public consultation process the council would like to find it a new home within the Canada Water area.

Due to previous thefts in the area security is a key consideration in deciding upon the location. The council is looking for suggestions that naturally provide a secure environment; for example heavy footfall areas which have a high natural surveillance or a water based location.

“This is a great opportunity for the local community to have a say in the location of this stunning sculpture and hopefully it will become an important focal point for residents,” said Cllr Veronica Ward, cabinet member for culture, leisure, sport and volunteering.

“I look forward to hearing the location ideas that come out of the consultation process and getting this sculpture re-homed as soon as we can.”

The public consultation process will have three stages. Stage one will call for location ideas, stage two will assess feasibility of the locations and stage three will report the most viable options to the community, and give a final opportunity for residents to add comments to enable officers to make a final decision. To find out more and give the council your ideas please visit www.southwark.gov.uk/art and click on the public art tab.

 

Autumn term youth and adult theatre at London Bubble

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YOUTH THEATRE

Mondays, 6.30-8.30pm
5 Elephant Lane, SE16 4JD

New term starts Monday 16 September

Suitable for anyone aged 14 and over who would like to develop their performance skills and confidence.
This term the youth theatre will work towards a performance in December.

ADULT DRAMA CLASSES

Wednesdays, 7-9pm
5 Elephant Lane, SE16 4JD

New term starts Wednesday 18 September

Come and play?  London Bubble’s classes are suitable for people with no experience of theatre making and for old hands alike.  Sometimes they work with scripts, sometimes they create work from our imaginations.  The classes are designed to help you develop your confidence and a range of performance skills. This term the adult group will work towards a performance in December. Why not come for a taster class to give it a try?

For more information and class fees  visit www.londonbubble.org.uk

Call 020 7237 4434 or email [email protected]

 

 

Revamped farmyard at Surrey Docks Farm opened by Val Shawcross

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Val Shawcross, London Assembly member for Lambeth & Southwark, has officially opened the revamped farmyard at Surrey Docks Farm.

“I was delighted to be invited to open the new-look farmyard at Surrey Docks Farm,” said Val.

“The farm is a fantastic local charity and a real jewel in Rotherhithe’s crown. It’s fascinating fun to come and watch all the animals, and this morning as usual there were a number of children having a great time making friends with the goats. T

“he new surface in the yard will make cleaning and drainage easier and makes it very clear that visitors need to wash their hands after being in the animals’ area.

“Gary Jones the farm manager and his team have done a fantastic job – this project has been a real team effort, with input from staff, volunteers and farm committee members. Everyone has shown a great deal of perseverance which has paid off today.

“If you’ve not visited the farm before I highly recommend it – it’s a great day out for anyone of any age.’

The farmyard refurbishment project was funded by the Biffa Award scheme, the Worshipful Company of Farmers and British Land/Surrey Quays Shopping Centre who donated the proceeds of their 2012 Christmas Appeal.

 

Barry Mason, Michael Caine and Phyllis Pearsall honoured at Greenland Dock

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A new sculpture and bench in memory of cycling campaigner (and Surrey Docks Farm manager) Barry Mason has been unveiled alongside Greenland Dock.

Barry is represented by a sculptural depiction of his  bicycle and a cormorant, a reference to his twin passions for cycling and birdwatching.

The adjacent bench features representations of Rotherhithe-born actor Michael Caine and A-Z map creator Phyllis Pearsall who has links with Dulwich.

The artwork has been installed by the Sustrans charity as part of the South Bermondsey Connect2 project to create a new walking and cycling route between Greenland Dock and Burgess Park.

‘Portrait benches’ featuring people with a local connection are a trademark of Sustrans’ Lottery-funded Connect2 projects around the country.

The most visible element of the local Connect2 scheme is the new bridge over Rotherhithe New Road which was opened earlier this year.

Barry Mason had campaigned tirelessly to ensure that the bridge came to fruition even when it seemed that the project would be written off as too difficult.

Barry Mason IF