CommunitySafe.gov.uk

Dear residents,

 

Merton Borough Commander Chief Superintendent Dick Wolfenden writes "Since my last update (6pm yesterday), much work has been done overnight in relation to identifying and arresting those responsible for Monday night's serious disorder in Colliers Wood.

 

This morning a number of search warrants have been executed locally by Merton police, leading to a number of arrests.  

A significant amount of property believed to have been stolen from local retailers has been recovered.

 

Last night was relatively quiet with no outbreaks of disorder. Current policing levels are set to continue and will be reviewed on a daily basis.

I would like to thank the many members of our local communities and businesses who have been providing information to us about suspected looters and those involved in the violence, and supporting my officers and staff with so many messages of goodwill. 

 

We urge our communities to continue helping us, giving any information on the identities of the wanted people whose CCTV images we either have or will be releasing over the coming days. Call Crimestoppers 0800 555 11 or Merton Police via 101 any time.

 

We continue to work closely with our partners at Merton Council and I thank them for the extraordinary support they are giving us in so many practical ways.

I have been asked by a number of stakeholders to explain the purpose of two operations that are running at the moment 'Operation Kirkin' and 'Operation Withern'

 

Operation Kirkin is the overall MPS policing operation which is coordinating a pan-London response to the series of outbreaks of criminality and disorder across London which commenced in Haringey Borough on Saturday 6th August and has spread to other London boroughs, including Merton.

Operation Withern is the Pan-London dedicated criminal investigation which is coordinating the resources and investigative strategies associated with all the crimes associated with the same events.

 

Merton Borough is aligned to and supporting both operations, making full use of the central and specialist support and additional resources available from elsewhere within the organisation.

 

Finally many of my staff are tired, but we remain absolutely resolute in our shared desire to do all that we possibly can to continue to keep communities within the borough safe and prevent bad things happening to good people.

As always, on behalf of all at Merton Police, thank you once again for the many messages of support we are currently receiving.   

 

Regards,

 

Sgt Stuart Wiltshire PS 3

Trinity SNT