Subscribe to your Ward if you would like to receive local crime alerts within your ward. You will also receive information in relation to what your local Safer Neighbourhood Team is up to and what events they are offering for Ward residents. We will send you details of the latest scams and criminal activities and information about a rise or fall of crime type in your ward.
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On 04/07/2010 PC Monaghan and PC Boyle from Wimbledon response team attended a call to a black male who had just stolen a moped of the victims drive on Longthornton Road. The officers were quick to circulate a very strong description of this male and the direction he had made off in. PS Cotton and PCSO Richardson from the Longthornton SNT were on patrol in the local area and using local knowledge made their way to the location were the male was possibly heading. The officers went into the car park of Lidl's supermarket, just as they were about to leave eagle eyed PCSO Richardson caught sight of a male who appeared to be trying duck behind cars, PCSO Richardson jumped out of the car and quickly detained the male. PS Cotton then confirmed the description before arresting the male for Theft of a motor vehicle. PC Monaghan and PC Boyle remained with the victim and took a statement and details for a crime report whilst PS Cotton conveyed the arrested male to Wimbledon police station for further investigation. After arrest the Longthornton team took further statements from witnesses to assist with a successful prosecution. As a result of Longthornton Safer Neighbourhoods and officers from response team this male has been given a four month custodial sentence by the courts. This shows that when response and SNT work together the results speak for themselves. PS Cotton 6VW
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The Longthornton Safer Neighbourhoods Team have been investigating two burglaries that took place at a children's nursery at St Olaves Church, Church Walk, SW16 on 11/06/2010 and 23/06/2010. Both appeared to be linked as the same window had been broken on both occasions and this was used as an entry/exit point. Once inside the Church the suspect(s) have damaged items inside and also spray painted SORRY in two foot letters on the floor inside the Church hall as well as stealing a playstation and sweets, which led the team to think that children had been involved. During the investigation information was received naming two young local males aged 12 and 14 years who were suspected as being involved. PS Cotton confirmed this information before arresting the two suspects, this has led to one of the males admitting to the offences and giving a full account of the incidents. The young male has been dealt with robustly and referred to the youth offending team. This is again an example of how the Longthornton Safer Neighbourhoods team strive solve crime within the ward and bring suspects to justice. PS Cotton 6vw
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Longthornton Safer Neighbourhoods Team has closed down a Brothel in Northborough Road. The semi detached house in Northborough Road had been an established Brothel for many months much to the annoyance of its neighbours. During the recent heat wave, the girls had even been using the back garden for exotic photo shoots. Longthornton SNT visited the brothel predominantly to check on the welfare of the prostitutes working there. Warning notices were issued to all those concerned to cease the business or face prosecution. The owner of the property was traced via The Land Registry and he too was issued with a warning notice. In response to our warnings, the tenants have now left Northborough Road and the property is no longer used for prostitution. Longthornton SNT will not tolerate Brothels on their ward, they attract criminals to the area, de-value neighbouring properties, and adversely affect the quality of life for the surrounding community. PS Cotton 6VW
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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
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As of Monday Merton commenced with 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. Members of the Longthornton team are actively involved in this operation, we will however continue to patrol the Longthornton ward and will be contactable on the below number and email. PS Gary Cotton
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Dear Residents of Longthornton, It has come to our notice recently that there has been 2 instances where residents have been asked to collect or sign for parcels by 'neighbours'. The reason has been that the intended recepient put in the wrong address at the time of ordering. This is highly unlikely and is a tactic used by criminals to have items delivered to unsuspecting occupants without any of the risk associated with using their own address. It is not possible to be sure what you are signing for and if you might be assisting offenders. Please do not accept deliveries on behalf of anyone you do not know personally and please report this matter to us as soon as possible. We are available on 0208 721 2742. Regards The Longthornton Safer Neighbourhood Team |
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DRIVE OUT VEHICLE CRIME
PS Gary Cotton 6vw
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On Thursday 10th June 2010 between 7pm and 9pm, Longthornton Safer Neighbourhoods Team will be bringing the Safer Merton Mobile Reassurance Vehicle to the grounds of PowerLeague, Turle Road. SW16. Your local Police Team will be there to answer any questions regarding local issues, and in particular, anti-social behaviour. We would also like to speak to as many residents of Turle Road as possible with a view to finalising arrangements for a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme.
PS Gary Cotton 6 VW
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June 2010
PS Gary Cotton 6 VW
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Dear Residents, The Longthornton Safer Neighbourhoods Team are looking at building a better portfolio of our vulnerable residents, whether that is through age, disability or being victims of crime.
If you are aware of any residents or neighbours who you believe are vulnerable please forward their details to us and we shall approach them to see what assistance/advice we can provide. In addition if you would like to refer yourself please feel free to reply to this email or to our freepost address of Longthornton Safer Neighbourhood Team
If you have concerns with regards to an item or a service you have purchased at your home, Merton Council has a Trading Standards Department based at the Civic Centre in Morden. Their contact details are as follows
PS Gary Cotton 6vw
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Dear Local Residents, A large funeral entourage of motorcyclists is expected to attend South London Crematorium on Rowan Road, SW16 from 1130 hours onwards on Saturday 1st May 2010. A similar event took place on Saturday 16th January 2010 and was policed successfully by Longthornton and Figges Marsh Safer Neighbourhood Teams. We anticipate minor disruptions to local traffic during the event and will be closely monitoring the situation throughout the day.
Sergeant Gary Cotton
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April 2010
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”
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On Tuesday 30th March 2010 PCSO 7261vw David Richardson and PCSO 7253vw Gavin Strong attended Stanford Primary School, Chilmark Road, SW16 to deliver a talk to all pupils from Nursery up to Year 6. This is part of Mertons Safer Schools Partnership scheme. The PCSOs discussed topics such as
Although these can be important subjects for young people, the idea was to get the children used to Police and their pressence. This was well received by both teachers and pupils. Longthornton Safer Neighbourhoods Team will look to do another day at the School next term where we will arrange to show the pupils a Police Motor Bike, Immediate Response Vehicle and a Marked Police Van. If there are any groups that you feel would benefit from a visit from the police, groups such as Beavers, Rainbows, Brownies please contact your local team. Sergeant Gary Cotton
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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
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.
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. |
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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! |
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Mitcham Common Motor Cycle Operation On Saturday 13th February 2010, Pollards Hill Safer Neighbourhoods Team, in conjunction with Longthornton Safer Neighbourhoods Team and Merton Police Motor Cycle Team conducted a joint operation to combat anti social behaviour on Mitcham Common. This involved using three Metropolitan Police off road motorcycles, a marked police vehicle, bicycles and PCSO’s on foot patrol. In the operation one motor bike was seen by members of the public riding on the common at excessive speed and in an anti social manner. This bike was also seen by a PCSO doing a wheelie approaching Windmill road. The rider was stopped on Beddington Lane. He was subsequently reported for riding without insurance and his bike was seized under Operation Reclaim, a Metropolitan Police initiative aimed at taking uninsured and unlicensed drivers off the road. He was also warned as to his future driving behaviour, meaning if he commits further offences, any vehicle he uses could also be seized. This Operation was set up as a direct result of concerns from local residents about the use of motor cycles on the common. Longthornton Safer Neighbourhoods Team are committed to addressing these issues and will continue to conduct this type of operation regularly using all resources available to us.
Sergeant Gary Cotton |
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February 2010
In the second of seven planned vehicle crime reduction interventions under the ‘Drive out Vehicle Crime’ campaign, Police across Merton are handing out free security screws to motorists for securing number plates. Merton Police and Safer Merton are advising motorists to secure their number plates using security fixings to prevent them from being stolen. Once fitted, they cannot be removed using a normal screwdriver. There has been a significant increase in the theft of vehicle number plates across the borough in the last few years with 11% of all recorded thefts in Merton being theft of number plates. Acting Sergeant Dan WHEATLEY from the Raynes Park Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "Merton Police is committed to keeping crime low by reducing vehicle crime. The theft of a vehicle number plate may appear to be a minor crime but it is an inconvenience and causes a financial cost to the car owner. In some cases stolen plates are then used to facilitate further offences. The use of security fixings can prevent your number plate from being stolen. Merton Police are also investigating all such reports and speaking to all victims of this type of crime to ascertain the circumstances behind the theft. If reports are found to be false to avoid parking fines and congestion charging then robust action will be taken against those making that report. Security screws are available free of charge at the Partnership Roadshows through the year or via 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. Sergeant Gary Cotton
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On Saturday 16th January a funeral is being held at Streatham Crematorium around 1215 hours, it is expected that there will be up to one thousand people attending from the Hells Angels community. Police will be in attendance due to the expected numbers and will be there to facilitate traffic and the public. Although police are expecting the majority of the group to be in cars and minibuses I am in no doubt that there will be a number of motorcycles in attendance. This message is simply to inform the community of this event and to reassure you that we are not expecting any issues and police are simply in attendance to assist. If any member of the community has concerns then please do not hesitate to contact the team. Regards Sergeant Gary Cotton 6VW
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DRIVE OUT VEHICLE CRIME
Sergeant Gary Cotton 6VW
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Dear Residents, On 23rd December 2009 the Longthornton Safer Neighborhood Team responded to complaints of a strong smell of cannabis in and around the area of Medlar House Hemlock Close SW16. Entry was gained to Medlar house and a ground floor flat was identified as having a very strong smell of cannabis coming from it. A search warrant was then obtained from Wimbledon magistrate’s court in order to gain entry to the address and search for drugs believed inside. Once entry had been gained to the flat it was found that there was small scale cannabis production inside. A further search of the premises revealed a Black Hand gun which was seized and taken away by police. A 26 year old male was arrested for cultivation of cannabis and possession of a firearm; he was taken to Wimbledon police station for further investigation. I can not stress enough the information received from the local community resulted in the detection of this crime and assisted your local safer neighborhood team to act on this information. Sergeant Gary Cotton 6VW
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The Operation took place on 15th, 16th, and 17th December 2009 between 1030hrs & 1530hrs. Tactics used:
A marked Police vehicle was used to stop vehicles of interest away from the petrol station and an unmarked car was also used.
Results:
The owner of the business/franchise visited the venue and expressed his gratitude to Police for the operation and promised full support for any future activity. Mr Tandon owns six other service stations in South London / Surrey and stated that his dealings with Longthornton SNT have been the first positive Police interaction he has experienced and he was extremely pleased with our attention to his issues. Regards Sergeant Gary Cotton
Please contact your local team with any issues and we will be happy to assist where possible. |
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Dear residents, At 1645 hours on the evening of 05th December 2009 the Longthornton team dealt with an incident on the corner of Manor Road and Manor Place. Some residents may be aware of a sudden increase in police activity due to several police cars turning up to assist. Police had received a call to a group of males taking drugs in the alleyway just off Manor Place. As police arrived two males were seen walking away from the area and were stopped by PS Cotton and PC Cooper. Both males appeared under the influence of drugs/alcohol so were searched for drugs a quantity of used needles were found on their persons, one male appeared to put something in his mouth and was restrained by police, an ambulance was called for the males safety the other male was calm throughout. This is a message to firstly show that the Longthornton team will react to calls promptly and effectively from our residents and secondly to thank the member of public for acting responsibly by calling police and not approaching these unpredictable males. None of the males were found in possession of any drugs but did have drugs related items on them. A quantity of used needles was found at the location where the males had been seen. The council has been contacted in order to clean them up. If any residents have any issues and would like to speak with a member of the team please do not hesitate to call or contact on the below details. Regards PS Gary Cotton
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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
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Dear residents, The Longthornton Safer Neighborhoods Team have today executed a search warrant at an address in Manor Road CR4, this was as a result of concerns expressed by residents regarding possibly drug dealing in the area. During the warrant a quantity of drugs were found and two males arrested, the males were taken to a local police station for further investigation. This is prime example of action police can take if information is received by local residents. The Longthornton team will thoroughly investigate any information received no matter how big or small. If any person has concerns or would like to talk to a member of the team regarding concerns or issues on the Longthornton ward then please contact us on the below number. Regards Police Sergeant Gary Cotton 6vw
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CCTV Camera Kingsmead Avenue. We have recently had enquires regarding a CCTV camera that has appeared on a lamppost in Kingsmead Avenue, concerns have been raised relating to the height of the camera and the type (a 360 dome camera). Concerns are that if it is a camera that is able to view 360 views then it would be able to view images in local resident’s houses upstairs bedrooms. After conducting checks with local agencies including Merton Council we have been unable to find out who owns the camera, residents in Kingsmead Avenue have also been spoken to and we are still unable to find the owner. In consultation with Merton council it has been decided that the camera will be removed and held by the council until a person comes forward to claim ownership. If any person has information with regards to the camera or its owner please feel free to contact the team so we can ensure its safe return. PS Gary Cotton
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