CommunitySafe.gov.uk

Vehicle crime remains one of the priorities set by the ward panel for the Wimbledon Park team. The drive out vehicle crime campaign continues with April update below. **************RECENT VEHICLE CRIME ARRESTS*************** In the last two weeks the team has arrested a group of five youths caught breaking into cars. Sunglasses were taken from two of the cars broken into; this is why it’s so important to remove even low value items. The cost of window repair often outweighs the cost of the stolen items, which incidentally were all recovered on this occasion. The initial call was made by a resident who had seen the group acting suspiciously around parked cars. All are currently on police bail and charges are expected to follow. This shows how important it is to remain vigilant and call police if you are concerned or suspicious about any activity in your area. ********************************************************** 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 know anyone who wishes to become a member of Community safe and sign up to free crime alerts and news of what their local safer Neighbourhood Team is up to please ask them to contact the team direct or join via www.communitysafe.gov.uk. Kind regards Sgt Danny Smith PS 21VW Wimbledon Park SNT WimbledonPark.snt@met.police.uk 0208 721 2452