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Today Merton Police will 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.
Most burglaries are carried out by opportunist thieves who will look for an easy way into your home. Around 20% of all burglaries are committed by people entering premises through an open or unlocked door or window, so it's a good idea to thoroughly check all doors and windows are locked and secure before you leave. Whether you intend to go out for the evening or away on holiday for a few weeks you should aim to make your home look as though it's occupied and someone is in, for example, don't close the curtains - in the day time it shows the house is empty. Even small precautions can help reduce the chances of becoming a victim of crime, leaving the lights, TV or radio on and using a timer switch can also help give the impression that someone’s home. Like everything in life, there are no guarantees, but by following a few simple rules may make all the difference in deterring that potential burglar:-
Use the Royal Mail's “keepsafe” service - they keep your mail for up to 2 months while you're away. Mail sitting on your doorstep is a sign that you are away
Cancel the delivery of milk and newspapers.
Disconnect the telephone answering machine, or re-word your greeting message to give the impression that you are only temporarily unable to answer.
Ask a neighbour, friend or relative to keep an eye on your home for you, collect your post, open and close the curtains and if possible park their car on your driveway.
Cut the lawn and trim back plants before you go away.
Don't put your home address on your luggage when you are travelling to your holiday destination. A house number and postcode will suffice if you want to label your luggage.
If you normally leave valuable bicycles or similar items in your shed, consider putting them in the house.
Make sure that you lock all outside doors and windows & set your burglar alarm if you have one.
If you do not have an alarm, consider investing in a dummy alarm box. It may well be enough to deter the opportunist thief.
If you see anything suspicious while your neighbours are away, call 999 in an emergency or for non emergency, call your local Safer Neighbourhood Team.
The Wimbledon Park Team can be contacted on Telephone 020 8721 2452 or E mail WimbledonPark.snt@met.police.uk
For further advice go to http://www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/burglary.htm
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www.metbumblebee.org
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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
Website: www.stophateuk.org
Email: talk@stophateuk.org
Kind regards
PS 21VW Danny Smith
Wimbledon Park SNT
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