Superintendent Pete Dobson, Merton Police, writes "I have just returned from a well attended Community meeting in Colliers Wood, the area in our borough most affected by Monday’s disorder. I was extremely pleased to receive so much support from the local community after explaining how the events unfolded locally.

 

During the evening and into the night of Saturday 6th August 2011 public disorder and criminal damage to residential and business premises ensued within the London borough of Haringey. This has been widely reported in the media both at local, regional and national level.

On Sunday 7th August 2011 a second night of disorder resulted in further criminal damage to shops, residential buildings and vehicles being badly damaged in the London boroughs of Enfield, Waltham Forest and Lambeth.

The Metropolitan Police Service has dealt with several incidents of ‘copycat criminal activity’ across London which has resulted in over 100 arrests for criminal offences. The MPS is aware of the impact this is having on the business community and is making every effort to combat further criminal activity by increasing the levels of high visibility patrols across London.

Criminal activity has taken place across a number of areas. There is no intelligence of specific targeting of identified business premises.

The Operation Withern team is continuing their investigation to identify those people responsible for the violence, disorder and crime we have seen to ensure that they are brought to justice.

You may notice an increase in the number of police officers in your area and this should not be cause for alarm.
You may wish to take the following precautionary measures.
1. Where possible retail premises should be suitably staffed with security guards
2. Ensure staff report any suspicious activity to security and/or police
3. Consider regular checks of the building and surrounding area
4. Identify areas that are vulnerable to forced entry
5. Make sure all service doors are kept locked and secure when not in use
6. Ensure your CCTV system fully operational
7. In case of an emergency is there a record of the names of keyholders who can be contacted
8. Consider removing high value goods from display windows overnight
9. Consider keeping as little cash as possible on the premises
10. Ensure that your premises are secure and if fitted your alarm systems are fully operational
11. In the event of a non emergency, call the police on non emergency number 101
10. In the event of an emergency, call the emergency number 999
11. If you have any information you wish to provide to police anonymously you can contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

Operation Withern is investigating the disorder and violence in parts of London over the weekend. An incident room has been set up. Anyone with information should call the major investigation team on 020 8345 4142.

The MPS has extra resources on duty across the capital. We are carefully monitoring any intelligence and ensuring we have our resources in the right places to support the ongoing policing plan. We will continue to respond to the needs of London’s communities and deal with any incidents of criminality.

DRIVE OUT VEHICLE CRIME Merton has become the latest borough to become an active member of the Petrol Station Forecourt Watch Scheme. The scheme, run jointly by Territorial Policing Pan-London Forecourt Crime and the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS) aims to cut fuel theft across the Metropolitan Police Area. Forecourt Watch is being used in the London Borough of Merton to target and deter criminals who commit drive-offs, this problem has increased significantly with the recent rise in fuel prices. This type of crime is often linked to other crimes including theft of number plates and burglary so it is important that we catch those committing these offences and bring them to justice. PC Richard BROWN the Problem Solving Advisor for Merton Borough and Borough representative for Forecourt Watch said:- "We are all affected by this crime, as ultimately any losses suffered by the industry will be passed on to the paying customers. Several petrol stations have invested in upgraded CCTV to protect their staff and help to support prosecutions." Our aim is to maintain fuel stations as a safe environment for customers and staff, targeting those people who drive off without paying for their fuel and use service stations as a route to commit more serious crimes.” Research shows that offences of driving off without paying for fuel are often linked to offenders or vehicles involved in other types of crime and to disqualified drivers, those without insurance, tax or MOT, or vehicles with false number plates. BOSS Forecourt Watch documentation for the recording and notifying of drive-off incidents will be provided to staff at all forecourts taking part in the scheme. This enables fuel service stations to work in conjunction with police and BOSS to help bring offenders to justice. High visibility stickers and posters on the forecourt itself will raise awareness among customers and potential thieves that Forecourt Watch is in operation and that making off without payment is a criminal offence. Service stations registered with the scheme will also benefit from sharing information with police and each other on suspects, vehicles and known offenders – to maximise disruption and detection of offences. For any further information please contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team via the main Met Police website by telephone or by e-mail. If you wish to become a member of Community safe and sign up to free crime alerts and news of what your local safer Neighbourhood Team is up to please contact them direct or join via www.communitysafe.gov.uk.

DRIVE OUT VEHICLE CRIME In an effort to combat vehicle crime, Merton Borough Police in conjunction with Safer Merton are launching a ‘Drive Out Vehicle Crime’ initiative which will include a number of partnership interventions throughout the next 12 months. Inspector Jim COOK from Merton Police said, “Vehicle crime is the one of the highest crime types in the Borough and a number of Safer Neighbourhood Teams have had vehicle crime reduction chosen by their ward Panels to work on. We will be looking to raise the public’s awareness and offering advice on how they can help us reduce the incidence of vehicle crime. Over the coming weeks and months Merton Police will be carrying out a number of proactive operations against those involved in vehicle crime. Already the Safer Neighbourhood Teams conduct a large number of Automatic Number Plate Operations and will continue these with both uniform and plain clothes patrols in areas where vehicle crime is most prevalent. I would urge those living in Merton to contact their local Safer Neighbourhood Team and sign up to Community Safe to receive up to date news of what their local Safer Neighbourhood Team is up to. This is a free system and by joining it you can find out about crime alerts and what the Police are doing in your local area. You can join by either logging onto WWW.Communitysafe.gov.uk or by contacting your local Safer Neighbourhood Team direct”. We take this opportunity to remind you all to: Ensure cars are locked – this might seem simple but a high percentage of cars are left unlocked in Merton. Don’t leave anything on view – you may know your jacket is empty but an opportunist thief doesn’t. Take your sat nav out of your vehicle and clean the suction mark off the windscreen – thieves will smash your window just to check the glove box. For any further information please contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team via the main Met Police website by telephone or by e-mail. If you wish to become a member of Community safe and sign up to free crime alerts and news of what your local safer Neighbourhood Team is up to please contact them direct or join via www.communitysafe.gov.uk.

Newsletter Merton Safer Transport Team October eddition The Safer Transport Teams Current priorities are: • Route 152 • Route 200 • Increased detections for assaults on drivers Route 164 On 22nd August 2009, Police attended an altercation that took place in St Helier Avenue , Morden. A man assaulted another male who had accidentally bumped into him on the bus. The assailant was later given an £80 fine for a Public order offence. Route 200 On 9th July 2009, Police responded to a call from a driver of a route 200 bus. A female had spat and swore at the driver. She was later fined £65 for her behaviour. She was also given a community service order for 12 months and placed on an alcohol treatment programme for 9 months. Confirmed Result On 10th October 2009, Police stopped 2 men at a bus stop on London Road, Morden. When searched they were found to be in possession of cannabis. Both were given official warnings for possession of drugs. Crime Prevention Day On 17th October the Safer Transport Team hosted a Crime prevention day to increase public awareness of crime on the boroughs transport system. The event took place on Wimbledon Broadway using the boroughs reassurance bus. Police outlined activity they had undertaken to reduce crime and explained what members of the public can do to prevent them becoming a victim of crime. A screening arch was on display. This is a tool used by Police to reduce knife crime and to detect people carrying weapons. PCSO Steve also attended and engaged with the younger members of our community. Information on crime reduction relating to car crime, burglary and pickpocket on buses was also distributed to members of the public. Bus stop surgeries Bus Stop surgeries are very helpful to us as we are able to obtain opinions and concerns from you the passengers. We use this information to focus on problem areas making it safer for you to travel. The next surgeries will be as follows; On 10th November 2009 at the bus stop near Lidl in Morden and at Sainsbury’s Merton High Street, 10am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm. On 11th November 2009 at the Bus stop near Blockbusters on Upper Green East and Sainsbury’s Worple Rd, 10am -12pm and 1pm - 3pm. On 12th November 2009, At Co-op at Morden Grand drive 10am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm. Please feel free to come along and talk to members of the Safer Transport Team. Halloween During the run up to Halloween and bonfire night we are increasing patrols and our presence on buses and trams. Officers will be positioned in key locations across the borough on Halloween night to ensure any issues on the buses or trams they are dealt with effectively and efficiently. There will be increased patrols around the town centres and major bus routes. TEAM Inspector Dave Robling Sergeant Sarah Coleman Sergeant Ann Osland Sergeant Ruth Jones PCJames Burgess PC Pete Beatty PC Jo Quayle PCSO Wayne Marques PCSO Phillipa La Fontaine PCSO Christine Storey PCSO Rob King PCSO Louise Russell PCSO Mellisa Lucas PCSO Gemma Stenning PCSO Yiu-Hay Man PCSO Jamie Clarke PCSO Sarah O’Keefe PCSO Mark Collins PCSO James Spink PCSO Charley Shearing PCSO Daniel Crowley PCSO Robert Tracey PCSO Luke Holland PCSO Alec Burns PCSO Louise Morris PCSO Shelley Offer You can contact us on 07825 386 725 020 8721 2259 STT.Merton@met.police.uk

Newsletter Merton Safer Transport Team July eddition Safer Transport Team to the Rescue When Shira Gordon found herself unable to get home from her shopping trip, PCSO's Rob King and Ritik Devji came to her rescue. Her motorised wheel chair had come to a stop outside Centre Court bus stop and she was unable to get home. The officers pushed driver and mobility scooter home saving her both time and money. There are no lengths to which the Safer Transport Team won’t go to assist our travelling community. The Safer Transport Teams current priorities are: 57 & 131 Bus routes • Morden Bus Stand • 93 Bus Route Safer Transport updates Last month police were called to a bus stop outside Morden underground where the London ambulance service had been called to a man who was found to be drunk and shouting obscenities to the paramedics. Steven Brooker 33 of Morden was arrested, charged and bailed to appear in court for a public order act offence of, shouting abuse at members of the public. He attended Wimbledon Magistrate Court where he received a £100 fine. Walking to School There have been issues around overcrowding at many of the bus stops within Wimbledon Town Centre and on the buses. It was found that students were using their Oyster cards to travel short distances thus adding to the congestion. Wimbledon Smarter Travel Initiative started in April and two of our local schools Ursuline High School and Ricard’s Lodge are taking part in the scheme. The students are encouraged to walk to school validating a card at designated points. By doing so they are entitled to a free breakfast and if they walk to school five days out of eight they will receive a £5 Top Shop voucher. If they walk eight days out of 14 they receive one child and one adult cinema ticket. Colin Saddington the School Officer at Ricard’s Lodge said that 170 pupils are currently walking to school and the numbers are increasing. This scheme is supported by TFL and they will be reviewing the effectiveness of this initiative in the next few weeks. Bus stop surgeries Bus Stop surgeries are very helpful to us as we are able to obtain opinions and concerns from you the passengers. We use this information to focus on problem areas making it safer for you to travel. The next surgeries will be held at:- Sainsbury’s Merton (formally Savacentre) and Lidl Morden on 11th August 2009, 10am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm. On 13th August 2009 at the bus stop near Blockbusters in Mitcham and at Sainsbury’s Worple road 10am - 12pm and 1pm - 3pm. Wimbledon Chase Co-op on 14th August 10am -12pm and 1pm - 3pm. Please feel free to come along and talk to members of the Safer Transport Team. Operation at Wimbledon On June 11th an operation was held at Wimbleon British Rail Station. Not only was the Safer Transport Team there but officers from Raynes Park, Merton Park and St. Helier’s Safer Neighbourhoods teams took part. A screening arch was in use in which members of the public were invited to walk through. A number of stop and searches took place. One arrest resulted for an outstanding offence of criminal damage. Tram Issues Travelling on the tram during rush hour can be very stressful and we have received some complaints from the public informing us that there are problems at certain stops with overcrowding. You will be pleased to know that there are extra passenger safety officers now assisting between 7am - 8:30 am at Mitcham, Phipps Bridge and Belgrave Walk tram stops. We are always pleased to receive information from the public about issues around the tram and we will do our very best to resolve them. You can contact us on 07825 386 725 020 8721 2259 STT.Merton@met.police.uk TEAM Inspector Dave Robling Sergeant Sarah Coleman Sergeant Ann Osland A/Sergeant James Burgess PC Jp Carmier PC Pete Beatty PCSO Wayne Marques PCSO Yohann Sunderam PCSO Phillipa La Fontaine PCSO James Saunders PCSO Christine Storey PCSO Rob King PCSO Louise Russell PCSO Mellisa Lucas PCSO Gemma Stenning PCSO Ritik Devji PCSO Jamie Keen PCSO Yiu-Hay Man PCSO Steven Vella PCSO Sarah O’Keefe PCSO Mark Collins PCSO Kim Lim PCSO James Spink PCSO Charley Shearing PCSO Daniel Crowley PCSO Robert Tracey PCSO Luke Holland