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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