Surrey Police believe a suspicious car fire in Croydon may be linked to the armed robbery outside Blockbusters in Caterham on 20 April.

A blue Ford Focus was found partially burnt out on Merrow Way in Croydon on the same afternoon as the robbery took place.

At around 12pm on 20 April, a cash delivery driver was threatened with what police believe was a gun, while making a collection outside the Blockbuster store on Croydon Road in Caterham.

The offenders took a cash box from the driver.

“I would like to speak with anyone who saw the vehicle being abandoned as they may hold vital information surrounding this incident,” said Investigating officer Kerry Akehurst of Reigate CID.

“I would also like to speak with anyone else who witnessed anything suspicious in the Caterham, New Addington or Croydon areas on the day of the robbery who has not yet spoken with police.”

Three men remain in custody in connection with this incident after being charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.

They are due to appear at Guildford Crown Court on Friday, 18 May. A fourth man has been released on police bail until Saturday, 23 June.

• Anyone who has information on this incident is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference TD/12/1763 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Scottish and Southern Energy has been fined £1.25m for using doorstep sellers to trick people into switching energy supplier in a landmark prosecution by Surrey County Council Trading Standards .

The prosecution was the first of its kind against one of the so-called “big-six” energy firms.

Trading Standards officers doggedly pursued the energy giant after discovering its sales agents were using misleading sales scripts on people’s doorsteps.

The sellers claimed to have information showing that households were paying too much with their current supplier. In reality they had no such information.

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) was found guilty at Guildford Crown Court Court in May 2011, of taking part in misleading selling practices relating to a sales script, between September 2008 and July 2009. The firm was found not guilty on five other similar matters.

“This was a real David versus Goliath battle which resulted in a victory for consumers everywhere,” said Steve Playle, Surrey County Council Trading Standards investigations and enforcement manager.

“It should send a message to the energy industry that deceptive, misleading and illegal sales tactics are not acceptable.

“Hopefully this fine will serve as a reminder that no matter how competitive the market, companies cannot lose sight of the law.

“If they do, trading standards teams will be there to straighten them out. This must be the biggest ever fine in the country for a Trading Standards prosecution.

“The case shone a spotlight on the dubious practice of doorstep selling. Our advice to consumers remains the same as ever. Never deal with cold calling doorstep traders.”

SSE director of sales, marketing and energy service, Stephen Forbes, said: “We accept that a company of SSE’s standing and with SSE’s values should not have found itself in this position and we are very sorry that it did.”

Surrey County Council is investing £10 million over five years to help vulnerable people stay longer in their own homes and communities.

The money will be used to work with Surrey’s district and borough councils on projects to give the elderly, disabled and those with mental health problems more choice and independence.

Initiatives the money could be used for include:

• Providing telecare round the clock to keep people safe at home
• Facilities at leisure centres for disabled people.
• Establishing eight more advice centres run for and by disabled people, taking the total to 11
• Combining day care services to help people continue living in their communities
• Developing more support for people with mental health problems.

“This substantial investment will provide real benefits to our most vulnerable residents, and will enable many more people to live with greater independence and with dignity,” said Surrey County Council leader David Hodge.

“By working as one team and by setting aside boundaries that cross the public sector we will achieve the best outcomes for the residents of Surrey.”

The investment was warmly welcomed by Patrick Roberts, leader of Runnymede Borough Council. “These initiatives are all designed to help the most needy in our community and we appreciate the support,” he said.

Joan Spiers, leader of Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, added: “I am really pleased that the county council is providing this funding to ensure better support for our residents.”

Residents planning a street party for the Diamond Jubilee in June must apply for a Road Closure Order by Thursday 10 May, Tandridge District Council has warned.

The Council will liaise with police and the Surrey Highways Authority on behalf of residents. There is no charge but residents will need to provide their own road closure and diversion signs.

The Council also advised organisers to consider the risks posed by staging an event and take out any necessary Public Liability Insurance.

Residents may also need a Temporary Event Notice if the party involves the sale of alcohol or regulated entertainment.

• For more information and an application form please visit www.tandridge.gov.uk/streetparty, call Customer Services on 01883 722000, or e-mail customerservices@tandridge.gov.uk.
• Please visit www.streetparty.org.uk/road-closures.aspx for information on road closure signs.

There was no change in control after the Tandridge District Council elections on Thursday 3 May after a “relatively low” turnout.

Of the 42 seats, Conservatives hold 34, Liberal Democrats 6 and there are two 2 Independents. The turnout of voters was 34.53%.

The count was held on Thursday 3 May and Returning Officer and Chief Executive, Stephen Weigel, declared all the results by 1.06am on Friday 4 May.

The Conservatives held the following seats:

• Bletchingley & Nutfield – Debbie Vickers (Con)
• Burstow, Horne & Outwood – Robert Alan Jones (Con)
• Godstone – Jules Gascoigne (Con)
• Harestone – Michael Cooper (Con)
• Oxted North & Tandridge – Gordon Keymer (Con)
• Oxted South – Elizabeth Parker (Con)
• Queens Park – Geoffrey Duck (Con)
• Valley – Jane Ingham (Con)
• Warlingham West – David Cooley (Con)
• Woldingham – Sally Marks (Con)

Gained:

• Whyteleafe – Tom Dempsey (Con)

And lost:

• Warlingham East, Chelsham & Farleigh

The Liberal Democrats held the following seats:

• Portley – Hilary Turner (Lib Dem)
• Westway – David Gosling (Lib Dem)

Gained

• Warlingham East, Chelsham & Farleigh – Jeremy Pursehouse (Lib Dem)

And lost:

• Whyteleafe

“The relatively low turnout was repeated across the country,” said Leader of the Council, Councillor Gordon Keymer CBE.

“However I was pleased by the welcome I received on the doorsteps during the campaign and the many positive words about the council’s services.”

Surrey County Council (SCC) has reversed its decision to have 10 libraries run by volunteers.

A judicial review of SCC’s plan for 10 community run libraries, including Lingfield and Warlingham, was brought by Surrey Library Action Movement (SLAM).

SCC and SLAM agreed that the Council would revoke the decision taken last September rather than revisit court – a decision formalised in a court order handed down today (2 May).

Mr Justice Wilkie had previously said that the Council’s decision to cut staff had been “unlawful” and hit out its “bland assertion” that volunteer staff would receive training.

The Council was found to be in breach of its Public Sector Equalities Duty in regard to the training provided to volunteers.

Gun to the head

“The County Council put a gun to the head of local people over this policy: ‘run your library for free or we will close it,’” said Lee Godfrey, spokesman for SLAM.

“It is good news that the High Court has finally put a stop to that nonsense.

“Surrey County Council has been sent a very clear and strong message – its library plans were ill-judged, unwanted and illegal. The Council had a good run over its library plans but it’s now over.”

He added: “The Council has spent a fortune on these library plans for no benefit – it’s now to time to cut its losses and not waste any more taxpayers’ money on the folly.”

Cabinet

SCC will now start a consultation to ask users of the 10 libraries what equalities training they think should be provided for volunteers at community partnered libraries. The Cabinet will re-consider the library plans on 19 June.

“Today’s order brings the court proceedings to close,” said Helyn Clack, Surrey County Council’s Cabinet Member for Community Services and the 2012 Games.

“We’ve agreed that the best course of action is to take the libraries plans back to Cabinet and make the decision again, with all the information we need about volunteer training.

“A lot of work has already gone into making sure community library volunteers receive the training they need to help people with disabilities and other special needs.

“I’d urge people to give us their views in this latest consultation so we can further enhance the training package we have created.

“We want everyone to enjoy using Surrey’s libraries. Our aim all along has been to keep all 52 branches open and allowing communities to run libraries would enable us to this.”

Police have spoken to over 300 people in connection with a robbery at a jewellers in Nutfield on 2 May.

The incident took place around 8.45am when a member of staff was unloading a vehicle in the car park which serves both Heaven Café and the jewellers and was approached inside the store by two masked men.

Officers stopped drivers of vehicles and pedestrians travelling on the High Street around the same time the robbery took place the previous day.

No weapons were used during the incident in which the victim was assaulted but did not require any medical assistance and does not show any signs of visible injury.

Detectives are hoping to establish who may have been in the area around the time of the incident and if anything suspicious was seen or heard.

“I would urge anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious around the time of the incident to contact officers as a matter of urgency as we need to catch those responsible,” said Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Karl Humphrey of Reigate CID.

“I would also like to ask people to keep this incident in mind over the coming days and if you are offered or given any jewellery which you believe could be stolen to also contact officers with information.”

The first offender is described as of large build and was wearing black clothing with a hood covering his head. The second offender is described as of medium build, around 5ft 11ins tall and was wearing a grey tracksuit again with his hood up.

The men took several items of jewellery during the incident but at this stage it is too early to say exactly how much the items were worth or give a description of them

• If you have any information or concerns surrounding the incident please contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference TD/12/1914.

An elderly Smallfield lady was left “shaken and very upset” after three intruders burst into her home demanding money.

At around 2.15pm on Tuesday 24 April, three men forced their way into the Wheelers Lane home via the front door.

The men took a small amount of money before leaving on foot in the direction of the shops. The woman, in her 80s, was not hurt during the robbery.

“This is an appalling crime against an elderly lady and the ordeal has left her shaken and very upset,” said Investigating officer Detective Constable Portia Andrews of Reigate CID.

“We believe there would have been a lot of people in the vicinity around the time of the incident and I urge anyone who believes they saw the offenders or anything suspicious in the area around the time of the incident to contact officers as a matter of urgency.”

Tandridge Neighbourhood Inspector Angie Austin, added: “Neighbourhood officers are working closely with detectives to find those responsible and bring them to justice.

“Officers will be carrying out enquiries in the local area and I would urge anyone with concerns surrounding the incident to contact the safer neighbourhood team who will be happy to address these.”

The first offender is described as a white man, aged in his early 20s, around 6ft tall and dark hair. He is well built in size and was wearing dark clothing.

The other two offenders are described as white men, aged in their early 20s, of small build and with fair hair.

• Anyone who has information on this incident is urged to call Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference TD/12/1821 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Two members of staff at Sports Direct in Caterham were tied up during a raid carried out by men in boiler suits and balaclavas.

The robbery took place at around 630pm on Sunday 22 April at the store in Church Walk, Caterham.

The men left the scene, with an amount of cash, on foot and got into a nearby transit van, which police later found abandoned on Stuart Road, Warlingham.

It is the second violent robbery to hit Caterham within a week after a cash delivery driver was threatened with a gun outside the Blockbuster store on Croydon Road on Friday 20 April.

However, It is not believed the two incidents are linked.

“This was a frightening ordeal for the two members of staff at the store who where threatened and tied up but fortunately no-one was injured during the incident,” said Investigating Officer Detective Constable Kerry Akehurst of Reigate CID.

“I am appealing to anyone who has information on this incident or the events surrounding it to contact officers as a matter of urgency as we need to catch those responsible and bring them to justice.”

Both suspects were wearing blue boiler suits and black balaclavas. The first suspect is described as a white man, around 5ft 9ins tall, aged in his late 40s to early 50s and of stocky build. The second suspect is described as a white man around 5ft 10ins tall.

Officers have carried out house-to-house enquiries and reassurance visits in the area and the Tandridge Safer Neighbourhood Team urge anyone with concerns surrounding the incident to make contact as they will be happy to address these.

• Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference TD/12/1799.

Three men have been charged in connection with an armed robbery in Caterham on Friday 20 April.

At around 12pm, a cash delivery driver was threatened with what police believe was a gun, while making a collection outside the Blockbuster store on Croydon Road.

The offenders took a cash box from the driver.

Four men were arrested in the New Addington area by the Met Police. Three have now been charged:

• Marvin Ralph Samuels, 27, of Woodside Green, South Norwood, London, was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.
• Paul Tucker, 35, of Headley Drive, New Addington, was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.
• Nicholas Barry Leacock, 35, was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.

The fourth man was released on police bail while the investigation continues.

Officers have urged anyone with information to come forward.

Tandridge Neighbourhood Inspector Angie Austin, said: “I would urge any members of the public who have been affected by these events to contact the Tandridge Safer Neighbourhood Team who will be happy to address any concerns you may have.

“I would also like anyone who has information on this incident who has not yet spoken with officers to contact Surrey Police as a matter of urgency.”