CommunitySafe.gov.uk

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 to secure thier car 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. Merton Park Safer Neighbourhoods team has previously given out free security fixings. This helped in reducing the number of offences from 11 in 2008, to just 5 last year within the ward. However, it would be wrong to be complacent about this crime, as across Merton Borough as a whole, 11% of all recorded thefts are theft of number plates. Pc Wilkins from Merton Park Safer Neighbourhoods 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.