Lavender Fields news update

July 20, 2010 15:24
 

Lavender Fields
Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2744
LavenderFields.snt@met.police.uk

Newsletter 20th July 2010

Lavender Fields

Dear residents please see the following update.

NEW REPORTING LINE FOR VICTIMS AND WITNESSES OF HATE CRIME

Tackling hate crime is a priority for Merton, which is why Merton has teamed up with Stop Hate UK to provide emotional and practical support for anyone, who has experienced hate crime.

Whatever your age, race, disability, sexual orientation or whether you are transgender, no one has the right to intimidate, hurt or harass you because they perceive you to be different.

Merton defines a hate crime as a ‘criminal offence which is perceived, by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by a hostility or prejudice based on a person’s actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, race, religion or disability’.

If you feel you have been a victim of this crime you can report it to Stop Hate UK 24 hours a day. Stop Hate UK are an independent charity and everything you tell them is kept confidential. You have the option to remain anonymous if you wish. Stop Hate UK can be contacted by phone, email, text, post and online. Stop Hate UK can speak to victims about hate crime in their preferred language if required.

Telephone: 0800 138 1625
Website: www.stophateuk.org
Email: talk@stophateuk.org

OPERATION LOCKDOWN

Today Merton Police will commence Operation Lockdown, a three month burglary initiative which will employ a range of tactics to disrupt burglary, gain intelligence and arrest and convict offenders in identified hotspots across the Borough.

Whilst the number of burglary offences across the Borough remain relatively low, there has been a recent rise in the number of opportunist burglaries where entry has been gained through open windows and unlocked doors. Many of these could be avoided. Residents are reminded to lock doors and windows when they go out, to keep ground floor doors and windows closed and secure when they go to bed and not to leave expensive and valuable items in view of passers by. Simple measures and some extra care will go along way to preventing you from becoming a victim of burglary.

BURGLARY

Officers from the Lavender Fields team were recently involved in the detaining and arrests of two suspects for a burglary offence committed within the Merton borough. After further enquiries a third male was arrested for handling stolen goods and being wanted on warrant at an address where property was recovered. The two suspects have since been charged for the offence and their court dates are pending.

All ward surgeries will be held at Lavender Pavilion, Steers Mead in the parent’s room.

6pm-8pm Monday 16th August
6-8pm Monday 21st September
6-8pm Tuesday 12th October
6-8pm Tuesday 9th November

COMMUNITY BUS & STREET BRIEFING

7pm-10pm Friday 10th September - Sheldrick Close
2pm-5pm Thursday 21st October - Longfield Drive
1pm-3pm Friday 26th November - Bond Road

Lavender Fields Team:

Sgt Andy Ball
Pc Elaine Brown
Pc Adi Lai
Pcso Elif Chambers
Pcso Matt Moss
Pcso Sara Vandepeer

Mobex: 020 8721 2744

E-mail: LavenderFields.SNT@met.police.uk,

Mail: Lavender Fields & Graveney,
Safer Neighbourhoods Base,
14-18 Wilson Avenue,
Mitcham,
CR4 3JL

Dear Ms McDonagh,

In response to your letter dated 6th July 2010 (Re: Crime and Anti Social Behaviour at Phipps Bridge).

We pay particular focus to the content of our MPs letters and an audit of our system reveals that we are not in receipt of your earlier letter (dated 1st July 2010). If the matters raised in the letter still require a response please would you be so kind as to re-send a copy and I will ensure I give them it my prompt attention.

Within your letter (6th July) you feel that the ‘the tennis’ is not really the point. I disagree. You are aware that the headline within the Wimbledon Guardian; …‘MP hits out at Mitcham police after shooting and triple stabbing’ within the article you are quoted “Police are more bothered about policing the Wimbledon Championships than the troubled streets of Mitcham the area’s MP has claimed…” Such headlines and supporting comments do little to promote community confidence or reassurance. (I am meeting with the editor and the journalist next week to express my concerns).

I have no doubt you will be able to forward details of the officers who stated that they were - “too busy to help you because of the Wimbledon Championships.” You are absolutely right, and I agree with you, such a message is inappropriate and I am looking for your help to identify and understand who within my command would say something which is so blatantly incorrect. I have made local enquires and no one recalls having had such a conversation.

I am sorry that at the meeting you felt that the impression given by police was that the Mitcham area was a low policing priority, quite the opposite is true. As discussed, my initial assessment of the boroughs deployment and demand profile reveals a substantial amount of our (finite) movable resources are given to the East of the borough. As an MP you will be conscious that as part of the conditions attached to Safer Neighbourhood teams funding arrangements the last government dictated that they should be ring fenced in their designated wards. I have briefed you in relation to my frustrations as to not having been allowed to move this valuable resource around the borough (however see further paragraphs for recent update).

You contend that there was a history of community unease in relation to groups of youths associating in the area and that the community members were concerned about numerous criminal and anti-social acts. The adage “You only know what you know” is a truism in relation to policing. Unless the residents report these issues to police we are unable to build an accurate intelligence picture and take appropriate action. As you are aware under ECHR legislation everybody has the right to associate freely without state interference. Without proper intelligence it is difficult to justify enforcement interventions. I will direct my safer neighbourhood teams to encourage increased reporting in order to give greater justification to future disruption activity.

You feel that ‘if the police had identified that there was a problem and had dealt with ‘the group’ appropriately the stabbings would not have taken place’. I am disappointed that you hold this view. As discussed this incident was spontaneous without any pre-planning. The offender was not known to police in the London area and there was nothing we could have done to prevent the crime from happening. Hindsight is a wonderful gift. When incidents like this happen people are quick to go to the press and it’s easy to blame the police. I readily acknowledge that we are the lead agency in relation to enforcement activity; however the causational factors which lead to criminality are many and varied.

The service (in my opinion) has a disappointing history of failing to respond to unfair criticism when many of the crime related social problems we face today are the result of years of failed parenting, failed education, failed social inclusion policies, ineffective border/integration policies and a distinct lack of investment in diversionary or rehabilitation activity. These failures are the responsibility of many, (including those in government) not just the police.

In this role I have ownership of the borough’s criminal intelligence profile and have a good understanding of those believed to be involved in more serious and organised crime. You are right (and I agree) that whether those intent on crime are members of a gang or otherwise is really a mute point. The more important issue is what is being done about it. I hope that when we next meet I can reassure you that we are trying hard to service the policing needs of the borough (although as discussed due to the legacy of national debt; continuing current operational capability will be an increasing challenge).

You have asked for a copy of the boroughs deployment profile. This is a restricted document as it specifically details both our operational capacity and capability. I will of course share the details with you when we next meet. I can however brief you on Merton’s policing model:

The borough’s operational workforce profile can be split into four main areas Response, Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT), CID and Operational Support. The Response officers deal with calls from the public and answer calls anywhere within Merton. The CID investigates reported crimes and deal with crime related prisoners, Operational support include the Merton crime squad, the Merton task force and other distinct units (i.e. the Merton sex offenders unit). They are deployed where the intelligence takes them (as stated predominantly in the East of the borough). The SNTs as discussed are rigid in number and are equally distributed (ring fenced in relation to movement) throughout the borough to provide local contact, visibility and reassurance. Apart from the SNT the deployment of resources is intelligence led & reactive to where crime is taking place. You are correct in your view that our ‘demand profile’ reveals that the majority of crime takes place within the East of the borough

It is also worthy of note that Merton is one of the boroughs affected by low crime rates within the MPS. As of last week the MPS had suffered 204918 Crimes so far this financial year. Merton is one of 32 London boroughs and in comparison we experienced 3670 which equates to just 1.8% of all London’s crime. A more strategic view could be that in light of the low Merton crime rate many of the boroughs resources would be better placed in the high crime rate boroughs (Lambeth, Hackney and Southwark etc.). This of course is something I hope to avoid as it is my intention to keep Merton crime levels as low as possible.

In my short time here so far, I have worked hard to understand the demands and constraints associated with delivering effective performance on the borough. Historic and entrenched ways of working will not deliver the performance needed in the new economic environment. In order to justify the retention of our current officer/staff numbers we will need to demonstrate how we can be both dynamic and flexible in meeting policing demands ensuring that we re-focus our activities where the public needs us most.

As you are aware Merton borough consists of twenty wards. We have recently completed comprehensive analysis of the borough in relation to crime mapping. Based on historical annual trends supported by management information and recent up to date intelligence it is clear that 5 wards present a real opportunity to improve our borough crime performance: Abbey, Colliers Wood, Cricket Green, Figges Marsh & Lavender Fields.

Starting Monday 19th July the borough will commence ‘Operation Lockdown’ which will be focused on preventing priority crimes in these 5 wards. A headline for this operation is that I have secured central agreement that I can pilot the concept of SNT staff on the remaining 15 wards providing substantial assistance to the Lockdown wards (although still aligned to their local wards). I am very excited about this opportunity for the borough to demonstrate both dynamism and flexibility as the rest of the MPS watches to see how it will work.

Reading your letter I am obviously delighted that you are committed to, and demonstrate, such a strong desire to ensure that the police provide a good service for all Merton’s communities. I totally share this view. I hope that we will be able to rely on your continued support in the future. As requested I will copy both your letter and this response to the community safe email group for sake of both completeness and closure.

Yours Sincerely

___________________________
Dick Wolfenden
Merton Borough Police Commander

Dear Mr Wolfenden

Re: Crime and Anti Social Behaviour at Phipps Bridge

Thank you for taking the trouble to write to me on 3 July about some comments I made to a journalist who was at the meeting I arranged to help the police reassure local people about policing on the Phipps Bridge estate. I spoke to the journalist after the meeting, after the conversation I had with you, and after the letter of 1 July that I wrote to you expressing my concerns about the meeting, to which I have yet to receive a reply.

The journalist attended the meeting, and he clearly felt that the approach of officers at the meeting was not as good as it could have been. I mentioned, as I did to you, that in my dealings with your officers they had told me that they were rather too busy to help me, due to the Wimbledon Championships. I hope it will be clear to you now that this is a totally inappropriate message to give a local community representative. However, the tennis is not really the point.

My concern was not about the high priority given to the tennis – although I do regularly hear complaints about this – but about the impression that was given at the meeting that Mitcham was a low priority. Although we are all very happy that you have found the suspects involved in the stabbing, more than a hundred residents would not have attended the meeting if they were not concerned about far wider issues. Specifically, they were concerned about numerous criminal and anti-social acts in the area by the same group of young men, including a drive-by shooting, various acts of intimidation, and an assault on a drinker.

As I explained to you on the phone and in my letter of 3 July, the response of officers at the meeting was to argue about the semantics of whether the group committing these acts was a gang or not. However, the truth is that if the police had identified that they were a problem and had dealt with them appropriately, the stabbings would not have taken place. Arguing about semantics was, therefore, seen by people at the meeting as unnecessarily argumentative, and as complacent.

Moving to your point about your recent examination of the Borough’s deployment profile, I would be grateful if you could let me have a copy of this profile. I am pleased that you believe the East of the Borough is as well serviced as the West, and should like confirmation from you that the deployment of resources is linked to the rate of crime in each neighbourhood. As you know, the crime rate in the East is approximately twice the rate of the West, and the rate in Cricket Green is roughly three times greater than in most of Wimbledon. Therefore for you to be satisfied that Mitcham “suffers no detriment in resource allocation”, I assume your figures will show that deployment is roughly three times greater in Phipps Bridge than in the West of the Borough, and roughly double in the rest of my constituency. Can you confirm that this is correct?

Finally, I can assure you I am absolutely determined in my efforts to ensure the police provide good public services for all of Merton’s communities. This is why I arrange regular opportunities for officers to promote their work at events I organise in Mitcham and Morden. Sometimes this is in response to particular crimes, but I have also arranged numerous meetings to introduce residents to their Safer Neighbourhood Teams, or to publicise the police’s ability to help deal with crime and anti-social activities in certain hotspots.

In this spirit, I will be contacting you separately in order to arrange a meeting in the Armfield Crescent area, where residents are worried that gang activity (or something very similar to gang activity) led to a separate shooting incident just over a week ago. It would be really good if the local police service could use this opportunity to show that they desperately care about our local residents and have a proper plan to ensure residents feel safer in their own neighbourhoods.

I hope that this is helpful, and look forward to your reply to this letter and that of 1 July. Since you have copied your correspondence to the Merton Community Safe email group, I am happy for you to circulate this letter to the same recipients on my behalf, or for you to let me have their details in order for me to email them all separately. I will, of course, only use those details for this purpose and not for any other reasons.

Yours sincerely,




Siobhain McDonagh

Dear Ms McDonagh,

I am writing to you in order to express my concern in relation to the quotes apparently attributed to you within Thursday’s (1st July) Wimbledon Guardian: Headline “MP hits out at Mitcham Police after shooting and triple stabbing.”

Within the article you are quoted:- “Do they [the police] care at all? It seems they’re more bothered policing the All England Club than they are about the lives of people in Mitcham. Three people have been stabbed and less than a year earlier; a teenager was seriously injured in a drive-by-shooting. But the police want to argue over the semantics of what gang means.”

First and foremost our efforts are specifically directed at trying to keep ‘all’ Merton residents and those who frequent the borough as safe as possible. As you are aware London can present logistical challenges in relation to policing large and significant events. Over the course of any calendar year this borough will be expected to supply officers to help police these events which are held at various locations off the borough. The All England Tennis Championships are no different and we rely on reciprocal arrangements where significant numbers of external resources from other boroughs are drafted in to assist. The planning and preparation for the event is both thorough, detailed and takes into account the ongoing policing needs of the borough to ensure our day-to-day borough policing commitment is always maintained.

Within the article you make reference to instances of serious assaults which have been committed within your constituency. The police responded quickly and have charged an individual. I have met the victims and the family members who (contrary to the article) feel that Merton police have done a good job. For some time now we have been considering the intelligence picture which informs our deployment of resources. An examination of the borough’s most recent deployment profile reveals that the East (Mitcham) side of the borough is well serviced by deployable proactive resources (extra officers) and suffers no detriment in resource allocation when compared to the West side of the borough (Wimbledon).

I must confess that I am struggling to understand what point you are trying to make in relation to the ‘semantics of gangs’ issue, suffice to say that (no doubt like yourself) I have no time for men of violence. Whether or not individuals are ‘gang’ affiliated, I can assure you that the police are doing what they reasonably can to prevent and detect such instances of serious harm.

Although I am immensely proud of the work that is conducted on a daily basis by the officers on Merton borough, I don’t for one minute think that the police get it right on every occasion and there are always improvements that can be made. Rest assured that (contrary to your comments within the article) we actually do care very much and it’s because we care that irresponsible & sensationalised media coverage such as this can have a significant impact on staff morale.

Finally I welcome the views, challenges (and hopefully) support of other key public officials and hope that we are all united in our efforts to try and provide good public services for all of Merton’s communities.

Yours Sincerely

__________________________________
Dick Wolfenden
Merton Borough Police Commander

Lavender Fields News update

July 01, 2010 21:08
 

Lavender Fields
Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2744
LavenderFields.snt@met.police.uk

Newsletter 1st July 2010

Lavender Fields

Dear residents please see the following update.

DRIVE OUT VEHICLE CRIME

Come and get your free ‘Secur-I-Disc’ tamper proof tax disc holder as part of an ongoing campaign to drive out vehicle crime in the Borough. The ‘Secur-I Disc’ tax disc holder prevents the re-use of a tax disc, thereby making it pointless to steal.

Merton Police Crime Prevention Advisor PC Greg HUNT said, "This is our final intervention of the ‘Drive Out Vehicle Crime’ campaign which has been a real success in getting the message out to the public to take valuables with them and to secure their vehicles. We hope the Merton residents will continue in this trend to keep ‘theft from vehicle’ statistics down”. Your local Safer Neighbourhood Teams will continue to run smaller more local crime prevention events within the Community”.

The ‘Secur-I-Disc’ tamper proof tax disc holder are available free of charge at the vehicle crime road shows run by your local Safer Neighbourhood Teams or by contacting your local Safer Neighbourhood Team. For further crime reduction advice contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

HAVE YOUR SAY ON POLICING IN LONDON

The Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) is consulting on London's policing priorities and are interested in the opinion of people in Lavender Fields ward.

People can take part in the consultation by completing a short questionnaire online (www.mpa.gov.uk/publications/policingplans/haveyoursay/) or calling 020 7202 0063 for a paper copy or telephone questionnaire. The Have Your Say on Policing in London consultation closes on Friday 26 November 2010.

WARD SURGERIES

Ward surgeries are for you as a local resident to come along and discuss your views on the crime and disorder that affects you.

Community Bus and Street Briefing events offer you the opportunity to have your property marked, get a number of crime prevention items such as number plate’s screws and to discuss your local concerns with the team.

All ward surgeries will be held at Lavender Pavilion, Steers Mead in the parent’s room.

6pm-8pm Tuesday 20th July
6pm-8pm Monday 16th August
6-8pm Monday 21st September
6-8pm Tuesday 12th October
6-8pm Tuesday 9th November

COMMUNITY BUS & STREET BRIEFING

4pm-6pm Friday 23rd July - London Road
7pm-10pm Friday 10th September - Sheldrick Close
2pm-5pm Thursday 21st October - Longfield Drive
1pm-3pm Friday 26th November - Bond Road

Lavender Fields Team:
Sgt Andy Ball
Pc Elaine Brown
Pc Adi Lai
Pcso Elif Chambers
Pcso Matt Moss
Pcso Sara Vandepeer

Mobex: 020 8721 2744
Fax: 020 8649 3238
E-mail: LavenderFields.SNT@met.police.uk,
Mail: Lavender Fields & Graveney,
Safer Neighbourhoods Base,
14-18 Wilson Avenue,
Mitcham,
CR4 3JL

Lavender Fields ward news update

June 19, 2010 21:28
 

Lavender Fields
Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2744
LavenderFields.snt@met.police.uk

Newsletter 19th June 2010

Lavender Fields

Dear residents please see the following update.

Your team are continuing to focus on our 3 priorities of Burglary, Youth disturbances in Gilpins Close and youth engagement.

BURGLARY

The Lavender Fields ward has recently seen an increase in burglaries with houses being targeted during the day and night. We have increased our patrols and have been delivering crime prevention advice leaflets across the ward. Please remain vigilant as the warmer weather approaches and ensure you don’t become a burglary victim by ensuring your home is secure.

Make sure all easily accessible windows and doors are not left open. Always fully lock the external doors at night and when going out. If you have a UVPC door then simply closing the door and pushing the handle up will not prevent someone entering. Insure that you engage the multi-locking mechanism and that the door is securely locked. Without locking the door with a key, the door can be unlocked by placing hooked items through the letterbox to pull the inside handle down wards, or by sliding an item into the area of the lock and forcing the lock open.

If you see something that appears to you not to be right then it is probably not right. To report suspicious behaviour or a crime call 999 in emergency situations or the new non-emergency number 0300 123 1212 if it has already happened.

For general information on crime prevention please visit the main pages of the Metropolitan Police website: www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention

WARD SURGERIES

Ward surgeries are for you as a local resident to come along and discuss your views on the crime and disorder that affects you.

Community Bus and Street Briefing events offer you the opportunity to have your property marked, get a number of crime prevention items such as number plate’s screws and to discuss your local concerns with the team.

All ward surgeries will be held at Lavender Pavilion, Steers Mead in the parent’s room.

6pm-8pm Tuesday 20th July
6pm-8pm Monday 16th August
6-8pm Monday 21st September
6-8pm Tuesday 12th October
6-8pm Tuesday 9th November

COMMUNITY BUS & STREET BRIEFING

4pm-8pm Tuesday 29th June - Brangwyn Crescent
4pm-6pm Friday 23rd July - London Road
7pm-10pm Friday 10th September - Sheldrick Close
2pm-5pm Thursday 21st October - Longfield Drive
1pm-3pm Friday 26th November - Bond Road

Lavender Fields Team:
Sgt Andy Ball
Pc Elaine Brown
Pc Adi Lai
Pcso Elif Chambers
Pcso Matt Moss
Pcso Sara Vandepeer

Mobex: 020 8721 2744
Fax: 020 8649 3238
E-mail: LavenderFields.SNT@met.police.uk,
Mail: Lavender Fields & Graveney,
Safer Neighbourhoods Base,
14-18 Wilson Avenue,
Mitcham,
CR4 3JL

Lavender Fields Ward update

May 30, 2010 12:35
 

Lavender Fields
Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2744
LavenderFields.snt@met.police.uk

Newsletter 20th May 2010
Lavender Fields

Dear residents please see the following update.

Merton - Driving out vehicle crime

June 2010

DRIVE OUT VEHICLE CRIME

Get your free car air freshener as part of an ongoing campaign to drive out vehicle crime in the Borough.

Merton Police and Safer Merton are handing out free car air fresheners to motorists in the Borough with a crime prevention message written on it. The message on the air freshener is clear - STOP - All valuables have been removed whilst on the other side the message reminding motorists to remove all valuables appears.

Merton Police Crime Reduction Advisor Pc Greg HUNT said, "The Partnership is committed to keeping crime low by reducing vehicle crime. Theft from motor vehicle is on the increase and all too often the thief steals property left out on open display in the vehicle. These air fresheners serve 2 purposes, firstly that all items of value have been removed from the vehicle whilst secondly acting as a reminder to remove items of value from the vehicle. Taking a few seconds to remove any valuables from your vehicle may save you hundreds of pounds in repairing a broken window and replacing your valuables. This runs alongside the vulnerable vehicle scheme already being run by your Safer Neighbourhood Teams. If officers out on patrol discover something of value left out on open display in a vehicle they will contact the registered keeper and warn them of the likelihood of returning to their vehicle and finding that property stolen. This will either be in person at the time or by the Teams writing to the registered keeper if not local. This information may well be shared with insurance companies in the event of an insurance claim which may affect that claim”
The air fresheners are available free of charge at the vehicle crime road shows run by your local Safer Neighbourhood Teams or by contacting your local Safer Neighbourhood Team. For further crime reduction advice contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

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.

Lavender Team:
Sgt Andy Ball
Pc Elaine Brown
Pc Adi Lai
Pcso Elif Chambers
Pcso Matt Moss
Pcso Sara Vandepeer

Mobex: 020 8721 2744
Fax: 020 8649 3238
E-mail: LavenderFields.SNT@met.police.uk,

Mail: Lavender Fields & Graveney,
Safer Neighbourhoods Base,
14-18 Wilson Avenue,
Mitcham,
CR4 3JL

Lavender Fields ward update

May 20, 2010 18:42
 

Lavender Fields
Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2744
LavenderFields.snt@met.police.uk

Newsletter 20th May 2010
Lavender Fields

Dear residents please see the following update.

ROBBERY

The Lavender Fields Team recently stopped and detained three males for a robbery offence which had occurred off the ward. The males had used a vehicle during the robbery which was seen and identified by PC Lai and Sgt Ball during their regular patrols of the area. They stopped the vehicle in Victoria Road and detained the three males until further police units arrived. Upon searching the vehicle they recovered the stolen property taken during the robbery and also a wooden baton which had been used during the offence. A stun gun which had been discarded from the vehicle was also recovered from a member of public by PC Brown after she had assisted with local enquiries and a search of the area. The three males were arrested and taken to Wimbledon police station where they have since been charged to appear at court with the offences of robbery, possession of an intimidation firearm with intent, actual bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.

ARTIFICE BURGLARY ADVICE

Not all burglars break into homes - some will try to trick or con their way in. They are known as bogus callers and will pretend to be on official business from respectable concerns such as the Utility Companies - Gas, Electricity and Water - or the Council. They may claim to be tradesmen or workmen calling to carry out urgent repairs.

Bogus callers succeed because they sound believable, so don't be fooled. Make sure in your own mind that they are whom they claim to be by following these simple steps:

• Think before you open the door - use your chain and spy hole or look out of the window to see if you recognize them.
• Ask callers for proof of identity. Genuine tradesmen should carry an identification card with their photograph on. Check this carefully. If you are unsure, telephone the company the caller claims to represent.
• The Utilities now offer a password identification system. Any caller from one of these companies should be able to give a pre-arranged password as additional proof of identity.
• Beware of callers who attempt to distract you by claiming that they have seen something untoward in your rear garden or somewhere which may encourage you to leave your house - they may have an accomplice awaiting this distraction.
• If you are not convinced of the identity of the caller, don't let them in. Ask the caller to come back later and arrange for a friend, relative or neighbour to be present on their return or ask the caller to contact this person.

LEAD THEFT

In recent weeks Lavender Fields ward has experienced an increase in the theft of lead in the local area.

Metal thefts are slowly increasing as the demands for metals increasing and the cost along with it. Therefore homes with such metals are more likely to be at risk of offences. To help prevent against these crimes please read the following advice.

• Ensure that all external lighting is in good working order and your premises are well lit at night in order to deter potential thieves
• Where possible, link up with your local Neighbourhood Watch Scheme and enlist their support
• Get to know the neighbours - they are probably the best people to keep an eye on your premises
• Secure all gates, doors and other entrances when frequent access is not required
• Mark individual items of property
• Restrict vehicle access, remove ladders and make scaffolding secure
• Consider anti-climb paint, CCTV, intruder alarms
• Where possible, replace with less expensive materials to make sure there's no incentive for the thieves to re-visit (A change of materials may require consultation with English Heritage and planning permission in the case of historic buildings)
• Make yourself known to your local Police Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) who will be able to assist you with any crime prevention advice you may require

WARD SURGERIES

Ward surgeries are for you as a local resident to come along and discuss your views on the crime and disorder that affects you.

Community Bus and Street Briefing events offer you the opportunity to have your property marked, get a number of crime prevention items such as number plate’s screws and to discuss your local concerns with the team.

All ward surgeries will be held at Lavender Pavilion, Steers Mead in the parent’s room.

6pm-8pm Monday 17th May
6pm-8pm Friday 11th June
6pm-8pm Tuesday 20th July
6pm-8pm Monday 16th August
6-8pm Monday 21st September
6-8pm Tuesday 12th October
6-8pm Tuesday 9th November

COMMUNITY BUS & STREET BRIEFING

4pm-8pm Tuesday 29th June - Brangwyn Crescent
4pm-6pm Friday 23rd July - London Road
7pm-10pm Friday 10th September - Sheldrick Close
2pm-5pm Thursday 21st October - Longfield Drive
1pm-3pm Friday 26th November - Bond Road

Lavender Team:
Sgt Andy Ball
Pc Elaine Brown
Pc Adi Lai
Pcso Elif Chambers
Pcso Matt Moss
Pcso Sara Vandepeer

Mobex: 020 8721 2744
Fax: 020 8649 3238
E-mail: LavenderFields.SNT@met.police.uk,

Mail: Lavender Fields & Graveney,
Safer Neighbourhoods Base,
14-18 Wilson Avenue,
Mitcham,
CR4 3JL

Lavender Fields news update

April 30, 2010 21:07
 

Lavender Fields
Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2744
LavenderFields.snt@met.police.uk

Newsletter 30th April 2010
Lavender Fields

Dear residents please see the following update

BURGLARY

Lavender Fields has recently seen an increase in burglaries to houses with UPVC doors; if your house is fitted with UPVC doors make sure that you always lock the door with a key. Simply closing the door and pushing the handle up will not prevent someone entering. Insure that you engage the multi-locking mechanism and that the door is securely locked. Without locking the door with a key, the door can be unlocked by placing hooked items through the letterbox to pull the inside handle down wards, or by sliding an item into the area of the lock and forcing the lock open.

DRUG WARRANT

On Wednesday 28th April 2010 the Lavender Fields team assisted Merton Task force officers in executing two drugs warrants at addresses on Wheatstone close. These warrants were very successful with one male being arrested for possession with intent to supply under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 during which a quantity of cannabis was seized. Safer Neighbourhoods officer from the team will be placing the police reassurance vehicle within this area on the 7th and 8th of May to conduct patrols and speak to residents. If any one has further information please either contact us on the non emergency reporting number 0300 123 1212 or anomalously to crime stoppers on 0800 555 111.

DOG VISITS

On 29th April 2010 Lavender Fields team arranged a visit from the police dog section for the local youth group. Two dog handlers visited the lavender children’s centre to explain and demonstrate how police dog are used to support the operational staff. They talked about the various roles police dogs perform such as searching and recovery of items. They also provided a demonstration in how the dogs are used to detain fleeing suspects.

WARD SURGERIES

6pm-8pm Monday 17th May
6pm-8pm Friday 11th June
6pm-8pm Tuesday 20th July
6pm-8pm Monday 16th August

COMMUNITY BUS & STREET BRIEFING

19:00 pm - 22:00 Friday 7th May - Wheatstone close
19:00 pm - 22:00 Saturday 8th May - Wheatstone close
11:30am-3pm Wednesday 12th May - Lowry Crescent
4pm-8pm Tuesday 29th June - Brangwyn Crescent

Lavender Team:
Sgt Andy Ball
Pc Elaine Brown
Pc Adi Lai
Pcso Elif Chambers
Pcso Matt Moss
Pcso Sara Vandepeer
Pcso Dan Francia

Mobex: 020 8721 2744
Fax: 020 8649 3238
E-mail: LavenderFields.SNT@met.police.uk,

Mail: Lavender Fields & Graveney,
Safer Neighbourhoods Base,
14-18 Wilson Avenue,
Mitcham,
CR4 3JL

Drive out car crime

April 08, 2010 14:49
 

Lavender Fields
Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2744
LavenderFields.snt@met.police.uk

Lavender Fields
April 2010

DRIVE OUT CAR CRIME

Get your free ‘Don’t Bother’ kit as part of an ongoing campaign to drive out vehicle crime in the Borough

Merton Police and Safer Merton are handing out free ‘Don’t Bother kits’ to motorists within the Borough. Theft from vehicles accounts for 66% of all recorded vehicle crime. The don’t bother kit helps educate the vehicle owner to remove valuables. It also tells a would be thief that valuables have been removed from that vehicle.

Merton Police Crime Reduction Advisor Pc Greg HUNT said, "The Partnership is committed to keeping crime low by reducing vehicle crime. Theft from motor vehicle is on the increase and all too often the thief steals property left out on open display in the vehicle. The ‘Don’t Bother Kit tells the thief that everything of value has been taken from the vehicle. Taking a few seconds to remove any valuables from your vehicle may save you hundreds of pounds in repairing a broken window and replacing your valuables. This runs alongside the vulnerable vehicle scheme already being run by your Safer Neighbourhood Teams. If officers out on patrol discover something of value left out on open display in a vehicle they will contact the registered keeper and warn them of the perils of their actions. This will either be in person at the time or by the Teams writing to the registered keeper if not local. This information may well be shared with insurance companies in the event of a claim which may affect that claim”

The don’t bother kits are available free of charge at the Partnership Road shows through the year or by contacting your local Safer Neighbourhood Team. For further crime reduction advice contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

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.

Lavender Team:
Sgt Andy Ball
Pc Elaine Brown
Pc Adi Lai
Pcso Elif Chambers
Pcso Matt Moss
Pcso Sara Vandepeer
Pcso Dan Francia

 Mobex: 020 8721 2744
 Fax: 020 8649 3238
 E-mail: LavenderFields.SNT@met.police.uk,
Mail: Lavender Fields & Graveney,
Safer Neighbourhoods Base,
14-18 Wilson Avenue,
Mitcham,
CR4 3JL

Lavender Fields ward update

March 31, 2010 11:15
 

Lavender Fields
Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2744
LavenderFields.snt@met.police.uk

Newsletter
Lavender Fields

31st March 2010

Dear residents and members, this newsletter provides you with an update on what we have been doing in your local area.

Arrests

During this month the team have made a number of arrests for ward offences and due to information provided by local residents.

On 16th March Pcso Chambers was on patrol along Wilson Avenue when she received information from local residents that a male was asleep in his car and may be unwell. Pcso Chambers approached the male and spoke to him regarding his presence in the area with the male admitted to be under the influence of alcohol. The male was then required to take a breath test for alcohol to which he tested positive; he was then arrested by PC LAI for being drunk in charge of a motor vehicle.

On 19th March PCSO Francia was on routine patrol assisting with school patrols when he recognized a male who he knew to be currently wanted for a burglary offence which had occurred within the lavender Fields ward. PCSO Francia stopped and spoke too the male whilst awaiting the attendance of police officers who upon arrival arrested the male for burglary.

On 27th March PC LAI was on foot patrol in Lavender Park when he recognized a male from police briefing slides who was wanted for two offences of kidnapping and also for breach of a non molestation order. The male initially gave false details but these were double checked and through the persistence of PC LAI he finally gave his correct details and admitted to being wanted. He was arrested for the two offences and taken to Wimbledon Police station.

Bogus callers

There have recently been a number of reports of a female preying on the vulnerable and elderly by purporting to be from Social Services. Once inside an address she is stealing property. The majority of these offences have occurred in the Morden area however please remain vigilant. Please ask callers for identification and check on your elderly and vulnerable neighbours to ensure they do not fall victim to crime. Please report any suspicious persons to police.

Believed medicine scam

Leaflets are being distributed through letterboxes from a charity requesting unwanted medicines. The flyer is bright yellow with black writing. They claim that medicine can be sent to third world countries. It says that members of the public should place any unused or unwanted medicines in a plastic bag and leave it on their doorstep on an allocated day. This is NOT believed to be a legitimate agency and there are serious safety issues with medicines being left on doorsteps where they may be accessed by children. We would advise that any such medicines are returned to a dispensing chemist.

PCSO Steve

PCSO Steve has arrived as a permanent attachment to the Borough, kindly funded by Safer Merton’s Joint Tasking Group. He will be based at Mitcham Police Station and will be available for guest appearances at local schools and events in the Borough. In the past PCSO Steve’s valuable time had to be shared by a large number of London boroughs making his availability limited.

PC Louise Vickers successfully applied for funding to Safer Merton’s Joint Tasking Group which now enables PCSO Steve to be in Merton Borough on a full time basis. Inspector Jon Phillips stated “This will give the children of Merton more opportunities to meet PCSO Steve and for important messages to be delivered in a fun and friendly way, as well as introducing pupils to their local Safer Neighbourhood Team thereby building stronger community links.”

If you would like PCSO Steve to visit your school then please contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

Ward Surgeries

Ward surgeries are for you as a local resident to come along and discuss your views on the crime and disorder that affects you.

Community Bus and Street Briefing events offer you the opportunity to have your property marked, get a number of crime prevention items such as number plate’s screws and to discuss your local concerns with the team.

All ward surgeries will be held at Lavender Pavilion, Steers Mead in the parent’s room.

WARD SURGERIES

6pm-8pm Wednesday 17th March
6pm-8pm Tuesday 27th April
6pm-8pm Monday 17th May
6pm-8pm Friday 11th June
6pm-8pm Tuesday 20th July
6pm-8pm Monday 16th August

COMMUNITY BUS & STREET BRIEFING

4pm-8pm Thursday 8th April - Lavender Pavilion
11:30am-3pm Wednesday 12th May - Lowry Crescent
4pm-8pm Tuesday 29th June - Brangwyn Crescent

Your dedicated Safer Neighbourhoods team is here to make a difference in your community. If you have concerns about day-to-day crime and disorder issues, please contact a member of your local team. For more information, visit our website. www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods

There are other ways of making your neighbourhood safer. Why not consider becoming a volunteer at your local station or joining the Metropolitan Special Constabulary, giving your time to become an officer with full police powers?
For more info, log onto www.metpolicecareers.co.uk

Lavender Team:
Sgt Andy Ball
Pc Elaine Brown
Pc Adi Lai
Pcso Matt Moss
pcso Elif Chambers
Pcso Sara Vandepeer
Pcso Dan Francia

Mobex: 020 8721 2744
Fax: 020 8649 3238
E-mail: LavenderFields.SNT@met.police.uk,
Mail: Lavender Fields & Graveney,
Safer Neighbourhoods Base,
14-18 Wilson Avenue,
Mitcham,
CR4 3JL

Opening of Wilson Avenue Base

March 16, 2010 15:59
 

Please see the attached news story for the opening of the Wilson Avenue Safer Neighbourhoods Base.

Burglary advice

March 16, 2010 15:55
 

Please see the attached burglary advice from the Lavender Fields team.

Ward update

March 16, 2010 15:42
 

MLavender Fields
Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2744
LavenderFields.snt@met.police.uk

Newsletter
Lavender Fields
16th March 2010

Dear residents and members, this newsletter provides you with an update on what we have been doing in your local area.

BURGLARY

We are still concentrating on burglary and continue to encourage people to consider whether they are doing enough with their home security. As always we continue to offer free home security surveys where we will come and visit you and provide advice on how to reduce the possibility of becoming a victim. If you would like to take advantage of this free service please contact us.

MET-TRACK

Get training with an international athlete! Met track training squads exist for anyone not yet involved in sport. They are for ANY ability, ANY age 10-17, ANY track or field event. Every Thursday 16:00 - 17:30 at The Hub, Tooting and Mitcham. Starts on March the 25th 2010. IT’S FREE. Any enquiries contact Jason Hussein on 07701 056323 or at Jason.hussain@met.police.uk
Website - www.met-track.com

Please see the attached poster and two following separate attached articles around the opening of new Wilson avenue base, and burglary crime prevention advice.

Ward Surgeries

Ward surgeries are for you as a local resident to come along and discuss your views on the crime and disorder that affects you.

Community Bus and Street Briefing events offer you the opportunity to have your property marked, get a number of crime prevention items such as number plate’s screws and to discuss your local concerns with the team.

All ward surgeries will be held at Lavender Pavilion, Steers Mead in the parent’s room.

WARD SURGERIES

6pm-8pm Wednesday 17th March
6pm-8pm Tuesday 27th April
6pm-8pm Monday 17th May
6pm-8pm Friday 11th June
6pm-8pm Tuesday 20th July
6pm-8pm Monday 16th August

COMMUNITY BUS & STREET BRIEFING

4pm-8pm Thursday 8th April - Lavender Pavilion
11:30am-3pm Wednesday 12th May - Lowry Crescent
4pm-8pm Tuesday 29th June - Brangwyn Crescent

Your dedicated Safer Neighbourhoods team is here to make a difference in your community. If you have concerns about day-to-day crime and disorder issues, please contact a member of your local team. For more information, visit our website. www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods

There are other ways of making your neighbourhood safer. Why not consider becoming a volunteer at your local station or joining the Metropolitan Special Constabulary, giving your time to become an officer with full police powers?
For more info, log onto www.metpolicecareers.co.uk

Lavender Team:
Sgt Andy Ball
Pc Elaine Brown
Pc Adi Lai
Pcso Matt Moss
pcso Elif Chambers
Pcso Sara Vandepeer
Pcso Dan Francia

Mobex: 020 8721 2744
Fax: 020 8649 3238
E-mail: LavenderFields.SNT@met.police.uk,
Mail: Lavender Fields & Graveney,
Safer Neighbourhoods Base,
14-18 Wilson Avenue,
Mitcham,
CR4 3JL

Face the public

March 05, 2010 17:43
 

Lavender Fields
Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2744
LavenderFields.snt@met.police.uk

Face the Public

Police and council join forces to answer your queries

Merton Council and the Police are joining forces next week (Wednesday 10th March 2010 from midday - 2pm) with the second 'Face the Public' event aimed at listening to your views and giving answers to your community safety questions.

As part of their statutory duty to speak to the public about these issues, Merton Council's chief executive Ged Curran and Merton Police Borough Commander Chris Bourlet are going around the borough over the coming months inviting people who live, work or visit Merton to come along and ask them their questions about community safety, crime and anti-social behaviour.

They will kick start the events next Wednesday 10th March 2010 in Wimbledon Town centre on the Piazza near to Morrison's Supermarket from midday until 2pm and will have the local Safer Neighbourhood teams on hand to speak to you too. Just look out for the reassurance bus and come and get involved.

Further events will follow throughout the year .

We look forward to seeing you

Lavender Team:
Sgt Andy Ball
Pc Elaine Brown
Pc Adi Lai
Pcso Elif Chambers
Pcso Matt Moss
Pcso Sara Vandepeer
Pcso Dan Francia
 Mobex: 020 8721 2744
 Fax: 020 8649 3238
 E-mail: LavenderFields.SNT@met.police.uk,
Mail: Lavender Fields & Graveney,
Safer Neighbourhoods Base,
14-18 Wilson Avenue,
Mitcham,
CR4 3JL

news update

March 02, 2010 17:07
 

Lavender Fields
Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2744
LavenderFields.snt@met.police.uk

March 2010

WIPING OUT CAR CRIME

Get your free sat nav dusters/screen wipes as part of an ongoing campaign to drive out vehicle crime in the Borough

Merton Police and Safer Merton are handing out the complimentary wipes and dusters to wipe away the suction marks left by a satellite navigation system on your car windscreen. Even if you have taken your ‘sat nav’ with you, thieves spotting a suction mark may break in to see if it has been hidden in the glove box.

Getting rid of the marks will hopefully deter criminals looking for the tell tale signs and reduce the risk of unnecessary damage and cost to your vehicle.

Supt Pete DOBSON Partnership lead for Merton Police said, “I fully support this scheme and I urge the public of Merton to secure their vehicles, keep them free of valuables and remove suction marks to help reduce vehicle crime”.

Merton Police Crime Reduction Advisor Pc Greg HUNT said, "The Partnership is committed to keeping crime low by reducing vehicle crime. The theft of satellite navigation systems is one of the highest crimes at the moment, so taking a few seconds to get rid of the suction mark on your windscreen may save you hundreds of pounds in repairing a broken window and paying for a new sat nav”.

Screen wipes and sat nav dusters are available free of charge at the Partnership Roadshows through the year or by contacting your local Safer Neighbourhood Team. For further crime reduction advice contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team.

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.

Lavender Team:
Sgt Andy Ball
Pc Elaine Brown
Pc Adi Lai
Pcso Elif Chambers
Pcso Matt Moss
Pcso Sara Vandepeer
Pcso Dan Francia

 Mobex: 020 8721 2744
 Fax: 020 8649 3238
 E-mail: LavenderFields.SNT@met.police.uk,
Mail: Lavender Fields & Graveney,
Safer Neighbourhoods Base,
14-18 Wilson Avenue,
Mitcham,
CR4 3JL

Face the public and reporting advice

February 24, 2010 15:55
 

Face The Public

Police and council join forces to answer your queries

Merton Council and the Police are joining forces next week (Friday 26 February from midday - 2pm) to launch their first 'Face the Public' event aimed at listening to your views and giving answers to your community safety questions.

As part of their statutory duty to speak to the public about these issues, Merton Council's chief executive Ged Curran and Merton Police Borough Commander Chris Bourlet are going around the borough over the coming months inviting people who live, work or visit Merton to come along and ask them their questions about community safety, crime and anti-social behaviour.

They will kick start the events next Friday 26 February in Mitcham town centre by the clock tower from midday until 2pm and will have the local Safer Neighbourhood team on hand to speak to you too. Just look out for the reassurance bus and come and get involved.

Further events will follow throughout the year with the next session planned for Wednesday 10 March 2010 in Wimbledon piazza.

We look forward to seeing you!

Reporting terrorist material online 1 February 2010

We're providing members of the public with information about what they can do if they come across violent extremist, terrorist and hate content online.
The new webpage on Directgov (new window) will include a form for people to report suspected terror-related and violent extremist websites to the police.
The pilot scheme aims to make the internet a more hostile environment for terrorists and violent extremists who seek to exploit modern technology. If a website meets the threshold for illegal content, officers can exercise powers under section 3 of the Terrorism Act 2006 to take it down.

What can be reported? Illegal terrorism content Any information that is intended to be useful to terrorists is illegal, including:

• bomb-making instructions
• guides to making poisons
• instructions on how to make weapons
• guides to targets.

Illegal violent extremist content Some violent extremist content is also illegal. This might include:

• videos of beheadings with messages of 'glorification' or praise for the attackers
• speeches or essays calling for racial or religious violence
• messages intended to stir up hatred against any religious or ethnic group
• chat forums with postings calling for people to commit acts of terrorism.

Illegal hate content The content of a website is illegal when it threatens or harasses a person or a group of people because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. That could be in words, pictures, videos, and even music.

Illegal hate content might include:

• messages calling for racial or religious violence
• web pages that show pictures, videos or descriptions of violence against people due to their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity
chat forums where people ask other people to commit hate crimes

Lavender Team:
Sgt Andy Ball
Pc Elaine Brown
Pc Adi Lai
Pcso Elif Chambers
Pcso Matt Moss
Pcso Sara Vandepeer
Pcso Dan Francia

Mobex: 020 8721 2744
Fax: 020 8649 3238
E-mail: LavenderFields.SNT@met.police.uk,

Mail: Lavender Fields & Graveney,
Safer Neighbourhoods Base,
14-18 Wilson Avenue,
Mitcham,
CR4 3JL

Lavender Fields ward news update

February 19, 2010 09:47
 

Lavender Fields
Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2744
LavenderFields.snt@met.police.uk

Newsletter
Lavender Fields
17th February 2010

Dear residents and members, this newsletter provides you with an update on what we have been doing in your local area.

Drugs warrant executed in Heathfield Drive

On Thursday 4th February 2010 Police officers from Mitcham executed a search warrant under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 at an address in Heathfield Drive. The officers involved were acting on information that an occupant from the address was dealing drugs from the residence and also in and around the nearby streets. The information regarding this was as a direct result of the partnership work undertaken by the Lavender Team and resulted with a large quantity of cannabis being seized along with a number of items used in connection with the supply of drugs. A male occupant from the address was arrests for possession with intent to supply cannabis and is currently on police bail.

Wilson Avenue

The Team has now moved to the new safer neighbourhoods patrol base on Wilson Avenue along with Graveney Safer Neighbourhoods team. The team are pleased with the move and the opportunity to be at the heart of the community displaying a more visible presence throughout the ward.

Ward Surgeries

Ward surgeries are for you as a local resident to come along and discuss your views on the crime and disorder that affects you.

Community Bus and Street Briefing events offer you the opportunity to have your property marked, get a number of crime prevention items such as number plate’s screws and to discuss your local concerns with the team.

All ward surgeries will be held at Lavender Pavilion, Steers Mead in the parent’s room.

WARD SURGERIES

6pm-8pm Tuesday 23rd February

6pm-8pm Wednesday 17th March

6pm-8pm Tuesday 27th April

6pm-8pm Monday 17th May

6pm-8pm Friday 11th June

COMMUNITY BUS & STREET BRIEFING

5:30pm-10:30pm Friday 5th March - Heathfield Drive

4pm-8pm Thursday 8th April - Lavender Pavilion

11:30am-3pm Wednesday 12th May - Lowry Crescent

4pm-8pm Tuesday 29th June - Brangwyn Crescent

Your dedicated Safer Neighbourhoods team is here to make a difference in your community. If you have concerns about day-to-day crime and disorder issues, please contact a member of your local team. For more information, visit our website. www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods

There are other ways of making your neighbourhood safer. Why not consider becoming a volunteer at your local station or joining the Metropolitan Special Constabulary, giving your time to become an officer with full police powers?

For more info, log onto
www.metpolicecareers.co.uk

Lavender Team:
Sgt Andy Ball
Pc Elaine Brown
Pc Adi Lai
Pcso Elif Chambers
Pcso Matt Moss
Pcso Sara Vandepeer
Pcso Dan Francia

Mobex: 020 8721 2744
Fax: 020 8649 3238
E-mail: LavenderFields.SNT@met.police.uk,

Mail: Lavender Fields & Graveney,
Safer Neighbourhoods Base,
14-18 Wilson Avenue,
Mitcham,
CR4 3JL

ward update

February 01, 2010 10:31
 

please see the attached ward news update

Lavender Fields ward update

January 13, 2010 16:24
 

Please see the attached ward update

Lavender Fields ward news update

December 22, 2009 14:46
 

Dear residents and members please see the attached ward news update.

Dear resident,

At Merton borough we want to increase the numbers of volunteer police officers ('specials') who work with us to reduce and detect crime where they live. We already have 40 volunteer officers with the full powers of a constable who work with us in various roles from answering 999 calls to making their neighbourhoods safer alongside the safer neighbourhood teams.

Specials make arrests, deal with prisoners conduct stop and search and participate in police operations. I am working full time to train, support and develop our specials to make sure they have the skills and confidence to patrol our streets. Most of our specials have full time jobs and contribute some of their spare time to keeping our streets safe.

We can provide you with full police training, an experienced officer to work with you and develop your skills and the chance to participate in one of the most challenging and exciting jobs in London. If you are interested in finding out more then please drop me an email at VWMailbox-.msc@met.police.uk. Or phone me on my personal mobile 07919 044 056.

Kind regards

Ben Morrison
MSC Manager
Merton Borough

Lavender Fields ward update

December 03, 2009 17:16
 

Please see the attached lavender Fields ward news update

Lavender Fields news update

November 20, 2009 13:37
 

Dear residents and members please see the attached Lavender Fields ward news update.

Ward news update

October 29, 2009 16:26
 

Please see the Lavender Fields ward news update

Halloween and Fireworks

October 21, 2009 16:02
 

Halloween and fireworks night is almost upon us again and will be one of the busiest times of the year with regards to anti social behaviour. We want people to be safe while out enjoying themselves so please read on to see what your Safer Neighbourhood Team and Safer Transport Team have planned to keep you safe during this period. Months of planning has taken place so that the law-abiding majority can enjoy this autumn’s festivities without their fun being spoilt by a small number of troublemakers.

There will be an increase in police activity to deter anti-social behaviour, disorder and crime during this busy time. Your Safer Neighbourhood Team will be working later shifts during this time to keep you and the ward safe while individuals involved in knife crime and other violent offending will be targeted under Operation Blunt 2. Your Safer Neighbourhood Teams can be contacted on their 'mobex' phone that they carry and their contact numbers can be found on the Met Police website. These phone numbers are non emergency phone numbers so we would urge you all to ring 999 in the first instance if there is an incident that warrants immediate Police attention. As your Teams will be working later shifts during this time it is highly likley that they will be the ones responding to your calls.

Safer Schools’ Partnership Police Officers will be working to protect and reassure young people. In the run up to schools’ breaking up they will be focusing on the end of the school day when large numbers of young people come together on and around the public transport system.

The Safer Transport Teams will be concentrating on the bus routes and bus terminii and the Safer Town Centre Team will be working in the Town centres.
We have been asking shops and supermarkets not to sell eggs and flour to young people which often are used to throw at houses and other buildings.

The small minority who remain intent on using this period as an opportunity for criminal activity can expect police attention. In particular those who choose to carry knives and other weapons can expect to be arrested and sent to court and it is only a very small minority whose anti-social behaviour causes misery for others.

To assist you with being safe during this period we have produced some key Safety Messages:

Advice to Parents, and carers -
• Make sure you know where they are and they know how to behave
• Go with them trick or treating if you can
• Keep fireworks in a safe place in the house
• Report any anti-social behaviour or concerns to your local Safer Neighbourhood teams.
• Attend organised events wherever possible.

Advice to young people -
• We want you to enjoy yourselves but will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour.
• Ensure you are safe by staying with others
• Leave your valuable property at home.
• Attend organised events wherever possible.
• When trick or treating avoid knocking on elderly neighbours and causing unnecessary worry.

We have attached a poster that we have devised that you may wish to print off and display in your front window or somewhere else prominent over the Halloween period if you do not want trick and treaters calling at your door.

Have a safe Halloween and fireworks night !!

Inspector Matt BOYD - Morden SNT
Inspector Jim COOK - Wimbledon SNT
Inspector Jon PHILLIPS - Mitcham SNT
Inspector Dave ROBLING - Safer Transport Team