snowman

Mark Newlove of NewGas Boilers has just completed the replacement of our combi boiler to a very high standard. The installation was complex due to the configuration of the existing boiler but Mark has done a thoroughly excellent job. He was professional, tidy and clearly knows his stuff. He communicated promptly and made sure I was kept in the loop at all stages of the work. I have no hesitation in recommending Mark and will definitely use him in the future if the need arises.

Any reccommendation for a late night takeaway that will deliver at this hour?

I have been on crutches for the last few weeks following a bike accident. I have now fully recovered and do not need the crutches anymore. I am not quite sure what to do with them? Do I need to return them to the hospital where I got them from? or can I hand them in into a local pharmacy? Does anybody know?

On Saturday I need to get to Heathrow (T2) for a 6am flight. I was hoping to get the Paddington Express but the first train is at 5.10am which is not good enough. Any recommendation for a reliable cab company? The last two times I have booked an early morning pick-up both companies turned up late! Any other option for getting to Heathrow for such an early flight (I have no private car)? Thanks, S

Hi I have used VP removals earlier today to move a large sofa and double bed from Battersea to ED. They were punctual, friendly and did a great job dismantling and then putting back together the bed to make sure it would get in my flat without damaging walls or doors. Would have no hesitation in using them again.

Later tonight I am meeting a friend I have not seen for a long time as she lives abroad. Any recommendation for a nice bar around the South Bank / Waterloo / London Bridge where we can sit for a few hours chatting away with a nice glass of wine? Doesn't have to be too fancy or anything like that. Just looking for a nice friendly atmosphere, not too noisy and maybe something a bit special about it (eg views over London...I suppose the shard is the only option for that??). Thanks in advance for any recommendation!

Mine was done as well. Definitely last night between 8pm and 6am this morning. They got away with about ?1 of petrol as the tank was almost empty! Please report to the police - in the past I have always reported it no matter how small the amount of petrol stolen.

After over a year of silence the petrol thieves are back...sigh...tank empty this morning on my scooter. Bastards. Out of curiosity has anybody else been targeted last night as I remember that in the past several bikes/scooters would be targeted on the same night? What's the non-emergency number to report the theft to the police? Thanks

Thanks all very useful replies - it is a day-business trip but unfortunately on this particular job we do not get expenses paid. I was trying to save a few pennies but in this case it sounds like the most sensible option is a taxi.

Next Tuesday I need to catch an early morning flight (6.55am) from Heathrow and I need to get there by 5.45am. I suppose the best way would be a minicab straight to the airport, but I also noticed that the Heathrow Express from Paddington starts at 5am so could get me there on time. Any easy way to get to Paddington at that time tough? Thanks

I need to get to west londo later this morning - Any update on trains from Peckham Rye to Victoria? The national rail website doesn't have specific information. Thanks

Here we go again...petrol gone last night, off to report it now

I noticed the same thing (vehicular crime is supposed to be indicated on those maps). I understand that it is not the type of crime to go top of the priority list for the police, but to ignore it completely as they seem to do is quite annoying...

Petrol gone again last night :'(...reported to the police. If you have been a victim of a similar crime last night (it always seem to happen to several people at the same time) please report it as it only takes 5 minutes. The number to call is 0300 123 1212.

My scooter is alarmed but it doesn't seem to make any difference... The police have just visited to get a few more details on the theft. I pointed out this thread (they were not aware of it) to explain that this is not a localised incident but a more widespread issue. They asked me to remind people that these thefts, no matter how small the amount of petrol stolen, should always be reported to the police. If you are a victim of this type of theft please report it as it only takes a couple of minutes!

Petrol gone this morning from my scooter....groan, new year but same old s***....crime reported to the police as usual etc etc. Now waiting for the usual useless call when they give me advice such as park it in the front garden or the garage (which I have told them countless times I do not have...) etc etc So so fed up with this...:'(

Yes - again for me as well...:( Let's hope the police are realising this is serious and trying to do something about it.

James thanks for your contribution, I fully agree with you, people affected should report the issue to the police otherwise there won't be much they can do. On a side note, is there a way to make the council CCTV department aware of this issue? I only ask as one of the standard questions from the police every time I report this crime is if there is any CCTV in the vicinity. From posts on an earlier thread it appears that the majority of these theft is specific to a certain area and it might be useful to investigate the feasibility of installing (even temporarily - not sure if this is technically possible) a CCTV camera in a strategic location? Initially I thought it might only be local kids trying to save a few quids on petrol, but the extent and regularity of these occurrences (and the fact that cars/vans are also targeted)is making me wonder if this is a more 'organised' operation? I might be wrong tough.

Again last night - will report it for the 50th time and as usual the police will say they are not aware of a pattern (ridicolous). Then I will get the usual phone call from the crime prevention officer asking if I do not have a garage to park the scooter in at night and my reply will be along the lines of...'a garage has not magically appeared since the last time we spoke three weeks ago (and the 3 weeks prior to that and etc etc) as the restricted space in front of my house does not allow me to build such a structure and unfortunately I do not expect this space to spontaneously expand over the coming months' (6):X

Petrol thieves in operation last night again...(6) TJ, I really hope they got your diesel as well

Thanks, I appreciate the feedback, I will pass it on!

Hi I have a friend looking to move to ED (Tintagel Crescent) in a few months time, anything positive/negative you can point out on this particular location? I live on the other side of ED so I am only able to offer general local advice rather than specific to this particular road. Thanks

Sums up my thoughts perfectly!

Petrol gone again this morning...this time they managed to get away with only 50p worth of it as the tank was almost empty!...It is really beyond me why somebody would want to risk getting caught for such a small 'reward'. Anyway, reported it as usual to the police.

When I spoke to the police earlier today they told me that I can take the bike to their Forensic Centre in Camberwell but they wouldn't come to look at it at my house. The only downside is that its open only between 8am-9am Mon-Fri and this doesn't work out too well with my work commitments....and I would also need to touch the bike to put the petrol line back in & refill it to bring it to Camberwell! I will try for a few weeks to park it on another road a bit further away and see if anything changes. Since last time I have also installed an alarm. Not enough clearly and just more money down the drain! I have also started a thread on the Wanted section looking for some private space (a bit of garage or 'fenced' courtyard/garden) where I can park my scooter at night for a monthly rent but nothing so far. Bob - the amount of petrol doesn't seem to make much of a difference, in the past they have come back even after getting away the previous time with ridiculous amounts of petrol.