Sutton Borough: St. Helier, The Wrythe & Wandle Valley Local Committee
Messages from this group will be sent via email only from Sutton Council and the Metropolitan Police Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs) to inform you of events and incidents in the area. This group will send out local crime alerts and information in relation to what the SNTs and Sutton Council are doing and what services they are offering.
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Detectives are appealing for witnesses to a rape in Beddington Park on Sunday 20 November between 22.30 - 23.15hrs. The 26-year-old woman was attacked from behind in London Road, near to The Grange Restaurant, before being taken into Beddington Park. The woman was white, of slight build and wearing dark clothing. There is no description of the suspect. This unprovoked attack is an extremely rare crime in Sutton, which is a low crime borough and one of the safest boroughs in London. If anyone saw anything that may assist with this investigation please contact Sapphire Command on: 020 8721 4106. Alternatively, you can speak to Crimestopppers anonymous on: 0800 555 111. |
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Metropolitan Police Service Say ‘No’ to the bank scam Police have received a significant number of reports of a ‘bank scam’ targeting elderly and vulnerable residents, particularly those living on their own. The way the scam works is that you may be contacted by telephone and asked to confirm your bank details including your mother’s maiden name, account numbers, sort codes, card numbers and PIN numbers. You are likely to be told that your bank cards need to be replaced and that a courier will be sent to your address to collect it. Once collected, the fraudsters use the cards the same day to make withdrawals at cash points. Such calls are part of an elaborate scam. Banks should never ask for any account details or PIN numbers because they already have this information. Police advise you not to give out any personal or bank details over the phone and not to give away your bank cards. If you receive a call like this, please put the phone down immediately and call police on 999. We are working closely with our colleagues in other London boroughs and Surrey Police to investigate these crimes and to catch those responsible. Detective Constable Ian Cherrington Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are here for London, working with you to make our capital safer. |
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With Halloween and Bonfire Night around the corner, the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has commenced its seasonal crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour. With both these events approaching, the focus of the MPS will be on ensuring the safety of our communities throughout this period. If trick or treating, be aware of the impact of your actions on others - it may cause unnecessary worry to some of the more vulnerable members of our communities. Wherever possible parents should try to accompany their children. Total Policing is the Met's commitment to be on the streets and in your communities to catch offenders, prevent crime and support victims. We are here for London, working with you to make our capital safer. |
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Neighbourhood Link is the new community messaging service for the Metropolitan Police Service and Safer Sutton Partnership. It will replace the current Community Safe service. It provides news and information about policing activity or initiatives, crime prevention advice as well as major incidents affecting your area. Through this service you can receive messages from your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team, borough police or, in the event of a major incident or event affecting the whole of London, from other Met teams. The service is free to users. We will transfer your contact details to Neighbourhood Link unless we hear from you saying you do not wish for this to happen. You must inform us that you want to opt out by 01/11/2011 To opt out please e-mail alex.catterall@sutton.gov.uk |
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There have been a number of incidents across the borough where two white males both with Irish accents have been trying to obtain money by deception. They are knocking at front doors and using various false stories to obtain money. Examples of this are "I have lost my wallet and need money to get home", or "I have run out of fuel and need some money to get home". |
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There has been extensive consultation with the five London boroughs affected by the proposed English Defence League EDL March. All five boroughs have been very supportive of the police decision to ban the march. Additional police officers will be on duty across London to deal with any incidents of disorder or criminal activity. The message to any EDL members is not to turn up and that any unlawful or criminal behaviour will be robustly policed. Any other community events planned for tomorrow are not effected.
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Neighbourhood Link is a community messaging service from the Metropolitan Police Service that provides news and information about policing activity or initiatives, crime prevention advice as well as major incidents affecting your area. Through this service you can receive messages from your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team, borough police or, in the event of a major incident or event affecting the whole of London, from other Met teams. The service is free to users. In order to receive messages you need to register your details on: www.neighbourhoodlink.met.police.uk |
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I want to thank all of you who have shown such immense support for the Police during the recent disorder and violence. I am proud to report that our officers in Sutton have demonstrated a huge commitment to keeping our town centres and streets safe. They have shown this in the way they have dispersed troublemakers, carried out arrests at the time of incidents and in follow-up raids on suspects’ homes, and gathered evidence to bring offenders to justice. To date we are dealing with around 20 crimes, many with multiple suspects, resulting from the disorder. The offences include violent disorder, assault on police, burglary and criminal damage. In the vast majority of cases offenders have been arrested and charged - and cases have already started to go to court. We are continuing to pursue the remaining offenders relentlessly. Our ‘pro-active policing response’ to the disorder helped to prevent troublemakers from gathering in groups and gaining the upper hand. We managed to maintain control and keep the number of offences to a relatively small number. Since the disorder, our officers have been applauded in the streets, offered cups of tea and even given cakes! This is testament to the close relationship that officers have built up with local communities and businesses in our borough. This is something we want to build on and strengthen because the most effective policing is always going to be a partnership between officers and local communities. Therefore, I would like to take this opportunity to encourage you to provide us with any information you can about any criminal or anti-social behaviour. Please tell us if you become aware through social networking channels of any potential trouble. Children are often avid users of social networks and can play a key part in telling us what’s going on - so do ask them for their help, which could help us prevent serious disorder. The more information we have, the better and quicker we can respond. If you see a crime being committed dial 999 or in a non-emergency you can contact us on 101. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111. Sutton is one of the safest boroughs in London. Help us make it the safest! Det Chief Insp Alan Chambers, |
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- We dealt with a few incidents of criminal damage and disorder, which was less serious than the rest of London, in the High street on Monday night, we used robust tactics, disrupted disorder and dispersed groups of youths. I saw first hand on duty the bravery and heroics of those on duty in Sutton.
- A number of police officers were sent to Tottenham to provide assistance, they were among the first to arrive. Most received minor injuries but only 2 required hospital treatment, both declared themselves fit for duty at Sutton immediately.
- There was one officer who was assaulted and a youth has been arrested and charged as a result of the assault
- I want to pay tribute for the bravery and dedication of all my officers, PCSOs, specials and members of police staff. They have all worked tirelessly to keep Sutton safe. They are tired with most working very long shifts but morale remains high and they all remain dedicated and professional and are a credit to the Met and Sutton can be proud of them. They have been greatly boosted by the overwhelming support and encouragement they have received from the fine people of Sutton.
General message
Our key messages are
· The police and all communities are united in their wish for calm and an end to all disorder.
· The current situation facing London is one which affects all communities, regardless of age and ethnicity.
· The police and London's communities are appalled by the current disorder and together we condemn the violence and criminality.
· The police will robustly pursue all those involved in criminality.
· We understand that the Government are due to issue advice on insurance to businesses tomorrow.
Detective Chief Superintendent Ferguson
Contacting the police
- We have been receiving significant additional numbers of calls to police by worried and concerned residents during the past few days. If you see a crime being committed then call us but rest assured we have large numbers of police on patrol in Sutton. If you have any information that might be useful to police then please call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 in confidence.
Where can I get information and advice?
Helping the police
Yesterday (Tuesday) we witnessed a lot of speculation and rumour in Sutton of planned disorder and incidents occurring on social media sites. Help us do our jobs and not raise any unnessary fear in local communities by not re-tweeting rumours.
- Message to parents, help us keep the borough safe, know where your children are. We will be sending letters to parents of very young children and will consider taking vulnerable youths home if they are loitering in the town centre late at night.
- Over the last couple of nights throughout London there have been 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.
- Message to the young people of Sutton is please think about the consequences of getting involved and committing crime. You will be arrested, will go to court.
Public safety messages issued by the MPS available by visiting met.police.uk
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Neighbourhood Link is a community messaging service from the Metropolitan Police Service that provides news and information about policing activity or initiatives, crime prevention advice as well as major incidents affecting your area. Through this service you can receive messages from your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team, borough police or, in the event of a major incident or event affecting the whole of London, from other Met teams. The service is free to users. In order to receive messages you need to register your details on: www.neighbourhoodlink.met.police.uk Neighbourhood Link is due to go live in Sutton Borough in the next few weeks. |
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Domestic Violence mostly happens behind closed doors and is a topic people rarely discuss. Victims feel alone, embarrassed, and helpless. Their abusers exercise a pattern of power and control, often over a long period of time, which leaves some victims believing the abuse is actually their fault.
As part of our response, the Safer Sutton Partnership is pleased to announce the launch of Sutton’s Domestic Violence One Stop Shop, which will take place every Wednesday morning from 9:30 – 11:30 at Sutton Baptist Church, 21 Cheam Road, SM1 1SN. This is a free, confidential drop-in service available to any Sutton resident experiencing Domestic Violence. They will be able to get advice and support from an Independent Domestic Violence Advocate (IDVA) from Victim Support, Police, Solicitors, Citizen’s Advice Bureau and others.
You may not be in need of this service yourself, but if you know of somebody else who would benefit, please encourage them to come along for a free, confidential advice session. For further information or advice, call Victim Support on 0208 685 1637, or text DV to 65101. |
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Sutton murder - Monday 14th March
An 18 year old man has been arrested and charged with the murder of 35 year old Louisa Brannan. He will appear via virtual court before Camberwell Green Magistrates Court this week.
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Please see attached.
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Sutton detectives are investigating six reports of burglaries involving doorstep callers gaining entry to houses and flats of elderly men and women saying that they want to ‘check out’ the water. On each occasion the callers have said they are working in the area and want to come in and check the water supply or water pressure. Other excuses to gain entry have included water leaking from the resident's property into a flat below or water coming out blue at properties along the road.
The addresses where ‘water burglary’ incidents have been reported since the beginning of this year are: Stanmore Gardens, Sutton; Love Lane, Morden; Thornton Road, Carshalton; Brighton Road, Sutton; Courtney Crescent, Carshalton - and most recently in Ewell Road, Cheam. At the incident in Ewell Road on Saturday (5th February), £120 cash and a brooch were taken from a flat after the resident allowed in a man who wanted to check under her kitchen sink. Moments later, the resident got another call at the door from another man - leaving the first man to have a look around. Although officers were on scene within five minutes of receiving the emergency call, there was no trace of the suspects.
Detective Sergeant Sarah McConnell, of Sutton CID, said these are particularly cruel crimes because they target the elderly and vulnerable in local communities. The residents in these six incidents are aged between 69-91. One suspect is described as slim build. The other man is described as stocky build. They are both aged between 20-40. Police are urging residents to:
- keep your front door shut to unknown and unexpected callers
- call police immediately on 999
Residents should consider:
- setting up a nominated neighbour scheme where you get a neighbour to deal with any calls you receive. You direct any callers to your nominated neighbour who then deals with the caller on your behalf
- contacting Sutton Council’s Safer Sutton Trader Scheme on 020 8770 5070 for a directory of reputable traders
PC Pat Simcox, of Sutton’s Crime Prevention Team, said: “The message is simple: if in doubt, keep them out!” The Crime Prevention Team can be contacted on 020 8649 0569.
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A further reminder - Remove keys from locks
Recent burglaries over the festive period in Sutton have highlighted that access is being gained to homes due to keys being visible from outside the property. Back doors, patio doors and windows have been targeted where the keys have been left on the inside. This can encourage the criminal to smash or force glass panels to get at the key to gain easy access. This also provides them with a ready means of escape if disturbed. Please make sure you remove the key from your door or window after you have locked it and put the key out of sight, such as in a drawer or cupboard.
Vigilance in your neighbourhood
There have been recent cases where residents have come forward with information about suspicious behaviour, such as unknown people hanging about in back gardens or loitering near vehicles, but not given us the information until later.
It is important that if you see someone acting suspiciously to call us on 999 immediately.
We would much prefer to speak to those ‘suspicious’ people there and then than deal with a crime after it has happened.
Criminals rely on communities not wishing to become involved. We all need to be involved to beat them. You will not be wasting our time by calling us on 999!
Sutton is a low crime borough and one of the safest boroughs in London. We are working hard to make Sutton even safer.
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Safer Neighbourhoods Teams have made a significant difference to safety and confidence across London.
The Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) remains committed to delivering effective neighbourhood policing that focuses on the safety of local people and ensures a visible local policing presence in all our communities. We are committed to maintaining named officers in every neighbourhood in London who are responsible for identifying and tackling local crime and anti-social behaviour.
The MPS is currently carrying out a review of Safer Neighbourhoods Teams across London. The purpose of the review is to find better ways of using current neighbourhood policing resources to meet the needs of the local community. It will also ensure that local police teams continue to deliver an effective and relevant service in the right place at the right times. The review will focus on the locations of Safer Neighbourhoods teams, what they do and how they are structured.
The review will be carried out by gathering the thoughts and feedback of local partners, such as the local authority and members of the community. This feedback will help plan any possible future changes. No changes will be made without talking to local partners and community members.
You can be involved in the review by completing an online questionnaire. The questions will gather your thoughts about neighbourhood policing in your area and will play a valuable part in shaping plans for the future of neighbourhood policing in London.
You can find the questionnaire at http://www.keysurvey.co.uk/survey/339166/19e4/. It will be available until the 21st January 2011.
Thank you for your time and contribution.
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Police have renewed their plea to householders to make sure they lock their front door and remove the door key well away from their letterbox.
This follows a number of reports of residential burglaries where letterboxes have been used to access the internal door handle or to reach the door keys that have been left in view.
The burglar then enters the property through the front door and steals items that can be grabbed quickly, including the car keys. A number of vehicles have been stolen from outside properties in such burglaries.
Residents with uPVC multi-locking doors need to be aware that pulling up their inside door handle does not necessarily secure their door. To make sure it is locked residents need to lock it using a key on the inside.
After locking the door residents must remove the key away from the front door - ideally putting it out of sight.
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Police are urging residents to make sure they lock their front doors and remove any door or vehicle keys from their entrance hall following a spate of cars being stolen from driveways across the borough. In four burglaries since Wednesday night (27th October) thieves drove off with a total of five vehicles having obtained all the keys to these vehicles.
Police believe the thieves either got hold of the keys by either ‘fishing’ with a rod-like device to hook them out through the letterbox or by accessing the letterbox to pull down the inside handle on the front door - taking advantage of householders who had not key locked their doors.
A Volkswagen was taken from Brocks Drive, Sutton, and a Renault Clio from Clensham Lane, Sutton. Meanwhile three vehicles were taken from The Causeway, Carshalton. Of these a Land Rover Discovery was taken from one address whilst two Vauxhalls - a Corsa and Insignia - were taken from another address. Police said residents should:
lock your front (and back) door, remove the door keys from the door, and put the door and car keys in a draw or cupboard where they cannot be reached from the front door
Avoid leaving car keys on a table or shelf near the front door where they can be easily reached via the letterbox
if you have a uPVC door, lock it with a key and remove the key to a safe place to prevent the door handle being pulled down via the letterbox and the front door opened.
Sutton Crime Prevention officer PC Pat Simcox said residents should take a few simple steps to secure their vehicles and properties. “Make sure your vehicle is locked when you leave it and get try the vehicle door handles to check they are locked. Also try to get into the habit of putting your vehicle keys in a draw or cupboard each time you come home - or at least, to keep them well out of reach of the front door,” she said.
PC Simcox advised residents with uPVC multi-locking doors that their doors are only truly secure if they are locked with a key from the inside. “People may think that they have locked their door by lifting up the handle but this does not completely secure the door. Burglars have been known to get access to the handle from outside.”
Detective Inspector Jim Bennett, of Sutton CID, said: “It only takes a few seconds to deter opportunist thieves from targeting your home, yet it can take several weeks and months to get over the ordeal of having your home burgled,” he said.
Police are running a number of operations in the borough to catch thieves who steal from vehicles. Police tactics include using both uniform and plain clothes officers - and officers from specialist teams, including dog units.
Editor’s Notes
Here’s some other crime prevention advice:
Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes.
Ensure all doors and windows have security locks – and use them
Make sure the side and/or back gate is locked
Invest in a time switch to control your lighting so your home looks occupied when it is not
Lock your shed or garage
Make sure your front and back doors have at least two locks on them, of which one should be a mortice or deadlock
Don’t leave your house keys within easy reach of the letterbox
Turn on your alarm if you’re going out
Property mark your valuables.
Sutton’s Crime Prevention Team can be contacted on 020 8649 0569. If you see anyone acting suspiciously near a property, then dial 999.
More than 5,000 homes were burgled last year in London by thieves simply walking in through unlocked doors, latest Met stats reveal. In a bid to cut the trend the Metropolitan Police Service is urging Londoners to ‘lock before you leave’ in an awareness campaign which is running currently to remind homeowners about locking their doors.
Although there is a traditional increase in burglaries in London during the Autumn, the overall number of burglaries continues to fall with recent figures (April to August 2010) revealing a 9% reduction compared with the same period last year. While prevention is vital the MPS recognises the need to target known or suspected burglars as well. Operation Bumblebee is continuing to investigate and pursue suspects and bring them before the courts.
Residents are being encouraged to visit the Met’s special anti-burglary website: www.metbumblebee.org for more information and advice.
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Two men posing as police officers tricked an elderly female in to letting them into her home in Beddington during the day on Friday 15th October. The men claimed they had made an arrest and insisted that the occupier check her valuables. One man displayed some sort of ID badge consisting of a logo possibly similar to that of the Metropolitan Police badge. Their questioning led to the location of her money being divulged and, whilst the victim was distracted, it seems that more than £2,000 in notes was stolen.
The suspects are described as white, late 30s to early 40s, both quite tall and local. Both had dark jackets of a soft appearance and loose style. One man had thinning hair whilst the other had short dark hair and possibly blue eyes.
Anyone with any information please contact Det Con Charlie Lourenco at Sutton Police Station on 020 8649 0747. Alternatively you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
PC Pat Simcox, of Sutton’s Crime Prevention Team, said tricksters deliberately target the elderly and vulnerable in local communities. She urged residents not to allow in callers they don’t know or aren’t expecting and to call police immediately on 999 if callers are trying to gain access to their property.
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Police are urging elderly residents to keep out unknown and unexpected callers after two elderly residents allowed in people who were pretending to be from the local social services department.
On Saturday (9th October) a man stole a purse containing £300 after gaining entry to a sheltered bungalow at Richmond Green, Beddington, at around 5.30pm. The 91-year-old resident had allowed the man into her property after he said he was from social services. The purse that was stolen was in a handbag in the living room. The caller is described as white with a local accent. The day before (Friday 8th October) in Stanley Park Road, Wallington, two men forced their way through the front door glass panel of a disabled resident, aged 59, between 9.00pm-9.30pm. They said they were from social services but left empty handed after having a look around. One of the men was said to have an Irish accent and had ginger coloured hair.
PC Pat Simcox, of Sutton’s Crime Prevention Team, said these tricksters deliberately target the elderly and vulnerable in local communities. She urged residents not to allow in callers they don’t know or aren’t expecting and to call police immediately on 999 if callers are trying to gain access to your property. “If you’re not sure, just don’t open the door under any circumstances,” said PC Simcox.
A spokesman for Sutton’s social services said visits to residents’ homes only took place after an appointment has been made in advance. He added that all social workers carried identification and if residents were in any doubt they should ring the council on 020 8770 6080 to verify the ID of callers.
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Police are advising motorcycle owners to secure their bikes using a ground anchor – a strong chain padlocked to a permanent and secure object – after three motorbikes were stolen from outside homes in the borough in the last few days. All the vehicles had been locked in some way, but were not locked to a ground anchor leaving police to believe that the bikes had been lifted onto a van or truck in some way.
A Barossa scooter was stolen from a driveway in Twyford Road, Carshalton, on Thursday (7th October) between 3.00pm – 3.35pm after the bike’s owner had popped into the property for a shower. Although the bike had a chain passed through the wheel, this chain had not been secured to the ground anchor which had been installed by the bike owner’s father to prevent the bike from being stolen. The day before - Wednesday (6th October) - a blue Yamaha bike was taken from outside a property in Park Lane, Wallington, between 8.00pm – 10.40pm. The bike had been locked with a disc lock on the front wheel, which prevents the wheel from rotating, but had not been secured to a ground-based object. The same day (6th October) a Yamaha bike owner in Manor Road, Wallington, had locked his bike using two chains and padlocks. But thieves still managed to steal the bike between 5.30am – 8.00pm.
PC Pat Simcox, of Sutton’s Crime Prevention Team, urged motorcycle owners to secure their bike to a permanent anchor point at their property or have a purpose-built ground anchor point installed. “If residents see a bike being loaded on to the back of a van then it may be a theft in progress - so call police on 999,” said PC Simcox. The crime prevention team have a Home Office booklet entitled ‘Steer Clear of Bike Crime’ - a guide to motorbike and scooter security. If you would like a copy please contact the crime prevention team on 020 8649 0569.
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Thursday 7th October, 7.00pm - 9.00pm at Camden Junior School, Camden Road, Carshalton.
The Wrythe Ward Neighbourhood Watch are working with police to reduce crime and make the area safer.
Come and meet your local police officers. Hear about a new NHW/Police initiative in The Wrythe.
Everyone is welcome. We look forward to meeting you.
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Statement from Sutton Borough Commander Guy Ferguson
Re: Incident in Winchcombe Road on 26th April 2010
“Sutton Police officers are working closely with the Met’s Murder Investigation Team who are making enquiries into the death of a man found with stab injuries in Winchcombe Road last night (26th April) at around 9.15pm. The man, aged in his 40s, was treated at the scene but died a short while later.
“Two men have been arrested in connection with this incident and remain in police custody.
“It is important for residents to be aware that all the parties involved in this incident were known to each other and that police are not looking for anyone else in connection with this incident.
“We would like to reassure residents that incidents like this in Sutton are extremely rare. Sutton has low levels of crime and is one of the safest boroughs in London.
“If you saw what happened or have any information that could help police with their enquiries, please contact the Incident Room on 020 8721 4805. Alternatively, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”
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Officers from the Wrythe SNT attended the Riverside Community Centre in Durand close, Carshalton to speak to the local young people. The meeting was the first of the Wrythe ward youth panel.
The aim of the youth panel is to engage with young people and find out what priorities they would like the police to help address in their community. The main priority they highlighted was tackling youth disorder. The meeting was well received by all who attended.
PS O’Donohue attended the Wandle Valley ward panel meeting where the panel decided to start a new ward priority. They will be looking to tackle anti social behaviour by motorists, which will include dangerous driving, illegal parking and speeding.
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