CommunitySafe.gov.uk

Dear Ms McDonagh,

In response to your letter dated 6th July 2010 (Re: Crime and Anti Social Behaviour at Phipps Bridge).

We pay particular focus to the content of our MPs letters and an audit of our system reveals that we are not in receipt of your earlier letter (dated 1st July 2010). If the matters raised in the letter still require a response please would you be so kind as to re-send a copy and I will ensure I give them it my prompt attention.

Within your letter (6th July) you feel that the ‘the tennis’ is not really the point. I disagree. You are aware that the headline within the Wimbledon Guardian; …‘MP hits out at Mitcham police after shooting and triple stabbing’ within the article you are quoted “Police are more bothered about policing the Wimbledon Championships than the troubled streets of Mitcham the area’s MP has claimed…” Such headlines and supporting comments do little to promote community confidence or reassurance. (I am meeting with the editor and the journalist next week to express my concerns).

I have no doubt you will be able to forward details of the officers who stated that they were - “too busy to help you because of the Wimbledon Championships.” You are absolutely right, and I agree with you, such a message is inappropriate and I am looking for your help to identify and understand who within my command would say something which is so blatantly incorrect. I have made local enquires and no one recalls having had such a conversation.

I am sorry that at the meeting you felt that the impression given by police was that the Mitcham area was a low policing priority, quite the opposite is true. As discussed, my initial assessment of the boroughs deployment and demand profile reveals a substantial amount of our (finite) movable resources are given to the East of the borough. As an MP you will be conscious that as part of the conditions attached to Safer Neighbourhood teams funding arrangements the last government dictated that they should be ring fenced in their designated wards. I have briefed you in relation to my frustrations as to not having been allowed to move this valuable resource around the borough (however see further paragraphs for recent update).

You contend that there was a history of community unease in relation to groups of youths associating in the area and that the community members were concerned about numerous criminal and anti-social acts. The adage “You only know what you know” is a truism in relation to policing. Unless the residents report these issues to police we are unable to build an accurate intelligence picture and take appropriate action. As you are aware under ECHR legislation everybody has the right to associate freely without state interference. Without proper intelligence it is difficult to justify enforcement interventions. I will direct my safer neighbourhood teams to encourage increased reporting in order to give greater justification to future disruption activity.

You feel that ‘if the police had identified that there was a problem and had dealt with ‘the group’ appropriately the stabbings would not have taken place’. I am disappointed that you hold this view. As discussed this incident was spontaneous without any pre-planning. The offender was not known to police in the London area and there was nothing we could have done to prevent the crime from happening. Hindsight is a wonderful gift. When incidents like this happen people are quick to go to the press and it’s easy to blame the police. I readily acknowledge that we are the lead agency in relation to enforcement activity; however the causational factors which lead to criminality are many and varied.

The service (in my opinion) has a disappointing history of failing to respond to unfair criticism when many of the crime related social problems we face today are the result of years of failed parenting, failed education, failed social inclusion policies, ineffective border/integration policies and a distinct lack of investment in diversionary or rehabilitation activity. These failures are the responsibility of many, (including those in government) not just the police.

In this role I have ownership of the borough’s criminal intelligence profile and have a good understanding of those believed to be involved in more serious and organised crime. You are right (and I agree) that whether those intent on crime are members of a gang or otherwise is really a mute point. The more important issue is what is being done about it. I hope that when we next meet I can reassure you that we are trying hard to service the policing needs of the borough (although as discussed due to the legacy of national debt; continuing current operational capability will be an increasing challenge).

You have asked for a copy of the boroughs deployment profile. This is a restricted document as it specifically details both our operational capacity and capability. I will of course share the details with you when we next meet. I can however brief you on Merton’s policing model:

The borough’s operational workforce profile can be split into four main areas Response, Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT), CID and Operational Support. The Response officers deal with calls from the public and answer calls anywhere within Merton. The CID investigates reported crimes and deal with crime related prisoners, Operational support include the Merton crime squad, the Merton task force and other distinct units (i.e. the Merton sex offenders unit). They are deployed where the intelligence takes them (as stated predominantly in the East of the borough). The SNTs as discussed are rigid in number and are equally distributed (ring fenced in relation to movement) throughout the borough to provide local contact, visibility and reassurance. Apart from the SNT the deployment of resources is intelligence led & reactive to where crime is taking place. You are correct in your view that our ‘demand profile’ reveals that the majority of crime takes place within the East of the borough

It is also worthy of note that Merton is one of the boroughs affected by low crime rates within the MPS. As of last week the MPS had suffered 204918 Crimes so far this financial year. Merton is one of 32 London boroughs and in comparison we experienced 3670 which equates to just 1.8% of all London’s crime. A more strategic view could be that in light of the low Merton crime rate many of the boroughs resources would be better placed in the high crime rate boroughs (Lambeth, Hackney and Southwark etc.). This of course is something I hope to avoid as it is my intention to keep Merton crime levels as low as possible.

In my short time here so far, I have worked hard to understand the demands and constraints associated with delivering effective performance on the borough. Historic and entrenched ways of working will not deliver the performance needed in the new economic environment. In order to justify the retention of our current officer/staff numbers we will need to demonstrate how we can be both dynamic and flexible in meeting policing demands ensuring that we re-focus our activities where the public needs us most.

As you are aware Merton borough consists of twenty wards. We have recently completed comprehensive analysis of the borough in relation to crime mapping. Based on historical annual trends supported by management information and recent up to date intelligence it is clear that 5 wards present a real opportunity to improve our borough crime performance: Abbey, Colliers Wood, Cricket Green, Figges Marsh & Lavender Fields.

Starting Monday 19th July the borough will commence ‘Operation Lockdown’ which will be focused on preventing priority crimes in these 5 wards. A headline for this operation is that I have secured central agreement that I can pilot the concept of SNT staff on the remaining 15 wards providing substantial assistance to the Lockdown wards (although still aligned to their local wards). I am very excited about this opportunity for the borough to demonstrate both dynamism and flexibility as the rest of the MPS watches to see how it will work.

Reading your letter I am obviously delighted that you are committed to, and demonstrate, such a strong desire to ensure that the police provide a good service for all Merton’s communities. I totally share this view. I hope that we will be able to rely on your continued support in the future. As requested I will copy both your letter and this response to the community safe email group for sake of both completeness and closure.

Yours Sincerely

___________________________
Dick Wolfenden
Merton Borough Police Commander

Dear Mr Wolfenden

Re: Crime and Anti Social Behaviour at Phipps Bridge

Thank you for taking the trouble to write to me on 3 July about some comments I made to a journalist who was at the meeting I arranged to help the police reassure local people about policing on the Phipps Bridge estate. I spoke to the journalist after the meeting, after the conversation I had with you, and after the letter of 1 July that I wrote to you expressing my concerns about the meeting, to which I have yet to receive a reply.

The journalist attended the meeting, and he clearly felt that the approach of officers at the meeting was not as good as it could have been. I mentioned, as I did to you, that in my dealings with your officers they had told me that they were rather too busy to help me, due to the Wimbledon Championships. I hope it will be clear to you now that this is a totally inappropriate message to give a local community representative. However, the tennis is not really the point.

My concern was not about the high priority given to the tennis – although I do regularly hear complaints about this – but about the impression that was given at the meeting that Mitcham was a low priority. Although we are all very happy that you have found the suspects involved in the stabbing, more than a hundred residents would not have attended the meeting if they were not concerned about far wider issues. Specifically, they were concerned about numerous criminal and anti-social acts in the area by the same group of young men, including a drive-by shooting, various acts of intimidation, and an assault on a drinker.

As I explained to you on the phone and in my letter of 3 July, the response of officers at the meeting was to argue about the semantics of whether the group committing these acts was a gang or not. However, the truth is that if the police had identified that they were a problem and had dealt with them appropriately, the stabbings would not have taken place. Arguing about semantics was, therefore, seen by people at the meeting as unnecessarily argumentative, and as complacent.

Moving to your point about your recent examination of the Borough’s deployment profile, I would be grateful if you could let me have a copy of this profile. I am pleased that you believe the East of the Borough is as well serviced as the West, and should like confirmation from you that the deployment of resources is linked to the rate of crime in each neighbourhood. As you know, the crime rate in the East is approximately twice the rate of the West, and the rate in Cricket Green is roughly three times greater than in most of Wimbledon. Therefore for you to be satisfied that Mitcham “suffers no detriment in resource allocation”, I assume your figures will show that deployment is roughly three times greater in Phipps Bridge than in the West of the Borough, and roughly double in the rest of my constituency. Can you confirm that this is correct?

Finally, I can assure you I am absolutely determined in my efforts to ensure the police provide good public services for all of Merton’s communities. This is why I arrange regular opportunities for officers to promote their work at events I organise in Mitcham and Morden. Sometimes this is in response to particular crimes, but I have also arranged numerous meetings to introduce residents to their Safer Neighbourhood Teams, or to publicise the police’s ability to help deal with crime and anti-social activities in certain hotspots.

In this spirit, I will be contacting you separately in order to arrange a meeting in the Armfield Crescent area, where residents are worried that gang activity (or something very similar to gang activity) led to a separate shooting incident just over a week ago. It would be really good if the local police service could use this opportunity to show that they desperately care about our local residents and have a proper plan to ensure residents feel safer in their own neighbourhoods.

I hope that this is helpful, and look forward to your reply to this letter and that of 1 July. Since you have copied your correspondence to the Merton Community Safe email group, I am happy for you to circulate this letter to the same recipients on my behalf, or for you to let me have their details in order for me to email them all separately. I will, of course, only use those details for this purpose and not for any other reasons.

Yours sincerely,




Siobhain McDonagh

Dear Ms McDonagh,

I am writing to you in order to express my concern in relation to the quotes apparently attributed to you within Thursday’s (1st July) Wimbledon Guardian: Headline “MP hits out at Mitcham Police after shooting and triple stabbing.”

Within the article you are quoted:- “Do they [the police] care at all? It seems they’re more bothered policing the All England Club than they are about the lives of people in Mitcham. Three people have been stabbed and less than a year earlier; a teenager was seriously injured in a drive-by-shooting. But the police want to argue over the semantics of what gang means.”

First and foremost our efforts are specifically directed at trying to keep ‘all’ Merton residents and those who frequent the borough as safe as possible. As you are aware London can present logistical challenges in relation to policing large and significant events. Over the course of any calendar year this borough will be expected to supply officers to help police these events which are held at various locations off the borough. The All England Tennis Championships are no different and we rely on reciprocal arrangements where significant numbers of external resources from other boroughs are drafted in to assist. The planning and preparation for the event is both thorough, detailed and takes into account the ongoing policing needs of the borough to ensure our day-to-day borough policing commitment is always maintained.

Within the article you make reference to instances of serious assaults which have been committed within your constituency. The police responded quickly and have charged an individual. I have met the victims and the family members who (contrary to the article) feel that Merton police have done a good job. For some time now we have been considering the intelligence picture which informs our deployment of resources. An examination of the borough’s most recent deployment profile reveals that the East (Mitcham) side of the borough is well serviced by deployable proactive resources (extra officers) and suffers no detriment in resource allocation when compared to the West side of the borough (Wimbledon).

I must confess that I am struggling to understand what point you are trying to make in relation to the ‘semantics of gangs’ issue, suffice to say that (no doubt like yourself) I have no time for men of violence. Whether or not individuals are ‘gang’ affiliated, I can assure you that the police are doing what they reasonably can to prevent and detect such instances of serious harm.

Although I am immensely proud of the work that is conducted on a daily basis by the officers on Merton borough, I don’t for one minute think that the police get it right on every occasion and there are always improvements that can be made. Rest assured that (contrary to your comments within the article) we actually do care very much and it’s because we care that irresponsible & sensationalised media coverage such as this can have a significant impact on staff morale.

Finally I welcome the views, challenges (and hopefully) support of other key public officials and hope that we are all united in our efforts to try and provide good public services for all of Merton’s communities.

Yours Sincerely

__________________________________
Dick Wolfenden
Merton Borough Police Commander

Figges Marsh Ward Update 3rd July 2010

Your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):
PS Juliet Sowter
PC Tony Weston PC James Jackson
PCSO Mike Knellar PCSO Jason Welsh
PCSO Sam Beazley-Long PCSO Dan Geiles

You can contact the team on 020 8649 3603 or FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk

July 2010

DRIVE OUT VEHICLE CRIME

Come and get your free ‘Secur-I-Disc’ tamper proof tax disc holder as part of an ongoing campaign to drive out vehicle crime in the Borough. The ‘Secur-I Disc’ tax disc holder prevents the re-use of a tax disc, thereby making it pointless to steal.

Merton Police Crime Prevention Advisor PC Greg HUNT said, "This is our final intervention of the ‘Drive Out Vehicle Crime’ campaign which has been a real success in getting the message out to the public to take valuables with them and to secure their vehicles. We hope the Merton residents will continue in this trend to keep ‘theft from vehicle’ statistics down”. Figges Marsh Safer Neighbourhood Teams will continue to run smaller more local crime prevention events within the Community”.

The ‘Secur-I-Disc’ tamper proof tax disc holder are available free of charge at the vehicle crime road shows run by Figges Marsh Safer Neighbourhood Team or by contacting us.

You will be able to obtain your free ‘Secur-I-Disc’ tamper proof tax disc holder at one of our drop in surgeries or street briefings which are being held on the dates and locations below.

• Drop in Surgery held at the Intergenerational Centre on Grove Road Mitcham on 08/07/2010 between 10:30am - 12:30pm.

• Drop in Surgery held at Mitcham Library, London Road Mitcham on 09/07/2010 between 3:00pm and 4:30pm.

• Street Briefing held on Figges Marsh Park, London Road/Streatham Road Mitcham on 09/07/2010 between 6:30pm and 8:30pm.

• Street Briefing held on Figges Marsh Park, London Road/Streatham Road Mitcham on 17/07/2010 between 8:00pm and 10:00pm.

• Street Briefing held on Figges Marsh Park, London Road/Streatham Road Mitcham on 26/07/2010 between 6:30pm and 8:30pm.

For further crime reduction advice contact us by email on figgesmarsh.snt@met.police.uk or by phone on 0208 649 3603.

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

Successful Test Purchase Operation in Figges Marsh Ward

In response to concerns raised by local residents, the Figges Marsh Safer Neighbourhoods Team under PS Juliet Sowter organised a test purchase operation on Monday 14 June, at shops and off licences in the area.
Supported by PS Pete Sparham, Merton’s Licensing Sergeant, and a team of Volunteer Police Cadets aged 15 - 16 with Trading Standards staff, the Cadets went into the shops in plain clothes to try and purchase alcohol or knives.
The evening was a success with not a single bottle of alcohol or knife being sold.
Anti-social behaviour on Figges Marsh is a key priority for the Figges Marsh SNT, who have already held an Enforcement Sunday event with Safer Merton to reassure and support residents and others in the community. Further events are planned throughout July.

Sergeant Juliet Sowter said: “I am delighted that all seven of the stores we visited did not sell anything to our youngsters. We spoke to each of them afterwards and they are all keen to ensure they do not sell anything to anyone who is not old enough.”

If you are concerned about problems in your area, don’t hesitate to call your Safer Neighbourhoods Team today on 020 8649 3603, or visit www.met.police.uk/saferneighbourhoods.

Figges Marsh Ward Update 11th June 2010
Your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):
PS Juliet Sowter
PC Tony Weston PC James Jackson
PCSO Mike Knellar PCSO Jason Welsh
PCSO Sam Beazley-Long PCSO Dan Geiles

You can contact the team on 020 8649 3603 or FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk

ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN MITCHAM TOWN CENTRE
The Dispersal Zone has been renewed in Mitcham Town centre for a further 6 months. This gives us the power to disperse groups causing Anti social behavior for up to 24hours. If they do not leave when instructed to or return within the specified time they can be arrested. This is now effective until 9th December 2010.

MITCHAM CARNIVAL

We will be at this years Carnival on Saturday 12th June. We have a vintage vehicle in the procession and will be sharing a stand with Neighbourhood Watch. Come down and see us.
We will be promoting “Drive Out Vehicle Crime” Come and have a chat with us. We can provide a property marking service for those living within the Borough that may well have received property such as sat navs that may well be used and left in vehicles. We also have various motor vehicle crime prevention items, such as cloths to wipe away Sat Nav marks and “Don’t Bother” stickers and reminder air fresheners.

ENFORCEMENT DAY

Figges Marsh SNT teamed up with Safer Merton on the Marsh to tackle the problems of littering and dog fouling. The campaign “Bin it don’t sling it !” was promoted with the message that you could be fined £75 if you drop litter. We collected a large number of cans and bottles along with other items of rubbish with the help of a couple of very welcome volunteers. They offered to help when we explained why we were there. A big thank you to them.
We will be revisiting in July in the evenings when most of the litter is being left.

As always, please urge your neighbours, colleagues and friends to join up to the CommunitySafe site.

To report Crime please remember to call 999 if there is a crime happening ‘now’ or the non-emergency number 0300 123 1212 if it has already happened.

Best Wishes from your Sergeant
Sgt. Juliet Sowter

Merton - Driving out vehicle crime

Your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):
PS Juliet Sowter
PC Tony Weston PC James Jackson
PCSO Mike Knellar PCSO Jason Welsh
PCSO Sam Beazley-Long PCSO Dan Geiles
You can contact the team on 020 8649 3603 or FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk

June 2010
DRIVE OUT VEHICLE CRIME

Get your free car air freshener as part of an ongoing campaign to drive out vehicle crime in the Borough
Merton Police and Safer Merton are handing out free car air fresheners to motorists in the Borough with a crime prevention message written on it. The message on the air freshener is clear - STOP - All valuables have been removed whilst on the other side the message reminding motorists to remove all valuables appears.
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. These air fresheners serve 2 purposes, firstly that all items of value have been removed from the vehicle whilst secondly acting as a reminder to remove items of value 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 likelihood of returning to their vehicle and finding that property stolen. 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 an insurance claim which may affect that claim”
The air fresheners are available free of charge at the vehicle crime road shows run by your local Safer Neighbourhood Teams 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.

Regards

Sgt. Juliet Sowter

Figges Marsh Ward Update 5th May 2010
Your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):

PS Juliet Sowter
PC Tony Weston PC James Jackson
PCSO Mike Knellar PCSO Jason Welsh
PCSO Sam Beazley-Long PCSO Dan Geiles

You can contact the team on 020 8649 3603 or FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk

THEFT OF LEAD
We have had a spate of thefts of lead from roofs around the Figges Marsh area. Please be vigilant and report any suspicious behavior. Scrap metal is at a premium at the moment and even Manhole covers have been stolen for their scrap value. We need to clamp down on this and your help would be very much appreciated.

ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOR IN MITCHAM TOWN CENTRE
There has been a group hanging around in the Town Centre causing a nuisance. The ASB dispersal authority has been used when they have been seen by officers. This culminated in a fight in McDonalds. Members of the group involved have been identified and we are in the process of paying them visits at home to warn them and their parents about their behavior.

DRIVE OUT VEHICLE CRIME
In an effort to combat vehicle crime, Merton Borough Police in conjunction with Safer Merton are launching a ‘Drive Out Vehicle Crime’ initiative which will include a number of partnership interventions throughout the year, the first of which is to provide a property marking service for those living within the Borough that may well have received property such as sat navs that may well be used and left in vehicles. We also have various motor vehicle crime prevention items, such as cloths to wipe away Sat Nav marks and “Don’t Bother” stickers.

Figges Marsh SNT will be at The Acacia Intergenerational Centre on Grove Road between 10:30 and 12:30 on Thursday 13th May, and in Mitcham Library between 11:00 and 12:30 on Friday 21st May providing the property marking service.

As always, please urge your neighbours, colleagues and friends to join up to the CommunitySafe site.
To report Crime please remember to call 999 if there is a crime happening ‘now’ or the non-emergency number 0300 123 1212 if it has already happened.

Best Wishes from your Sergeant
Sgt. Juliet Sowter

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.

Your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):
PS Juliet Sowter
PC Tony Weston PC James Jackson
PCSO Mike Knellor PCSO Jason Welsh
PCSO Sam Beazley-Long PCSO Dan Geiles

You can contact the team on 020 8649 3603 or FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk

Remember to contact Police
999 in an emergency
or
0300 123 1212 if it's not an emergency

Figges Marsh Public Meeting is being held at St Marks Church Hall, St Marks Road, Mitcham on Saturday 13th March between 10:30 and 12:30.
We will update you on issues raised at the last meeting and give you the opportunity to raise any new issues.

You can contact us on 020 8649 3603
FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk

March 2010
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
Merton Police and Safer Merton are handing out the complimentary wipes and dusters to wipe away the suction marks left by a satellite navigation system on your car windscreen. Even if you have taken your ‘sat nav’ with you, thieves spotting a suction mark may break in to see if it has been hidden in the glove box.
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.
Supt Pete DOBSON Partnership lead for Merton Police said, “I fully support this scheme and I urge the public of Merton to secure their vehicles, keep them free of valuables and remove suction marks to help reduce vehicle crime”.
Merton Police Crime Reduction Advisor Pc Greg HUNT said, "The Partnership is committed to keeping crime low by reducing vehicle crime. The theft of satellite navigation systems is one of the highest crimes at the moment, so taking a few seconds to get rid of the suction mark on your windscreen may save you hundreds of pounds in repairing a broken window and paying for a new sat nav”.
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.

PS Juliet Sowter
PC Tony Weston PC James Jackson
PCSO Mike Knellor PCSO Jason Welsh
PCSO Sam Beazley-Long PCSO Dan Geiles
You can contact the team on 020 8649 3603 or FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk

Figges Marsh Ward
Your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):
PS Juliet Sowter
PC Tony Weston PC James Jackson
PCSO Mike Knellor PCSO Jason Welsh
PCSO Sam Beazley-Long PCSO Dan Geiles

You can contact the team on 020 8649 3603 or
FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk

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!

Figges Marsh SNT will be at the Open Day for the new
Acacia Intergenerational Centre at 230 Grove Road, Mitcham. Between 11:00 - 15:00. Drop in and see us. We will be available to give advice on home security and motor crime. We will have free property marking kits and free security screws for securing number plates.

February 2010
DRIVE OUT VEHICLE CRIME
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.
"Merton Police are 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 Figges Marsh Safer Neighbourhood Team via the main Met Police website by telephone ton 02028 649 3603 or by e-mail to FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk. 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 us direct or join via www.communitysafe.gov.uk.

Figges Marsh Ward Update 22nd January 2010
Your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):
PS Juliet Sowter
PC Tony Weston PC James Jackson
PCSO Mike Knellor PCSO Jason Welsh
PCSO Sam Beazley-Long PCSO Dan Geiles
You can contact the team on 020 8649 3603 or FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk

Burglary Initiative

On 20th January Figges Marsh joined forces with Graveney SNT to tackle burglary in an area which has suffered a higher than average number. The Streatham Road area was flooded with PCSOs in high visibility jackets. Known burglars were targeted by officers in plain clothes.
One burglar identified through fingerprints for a burglary over Christmas eluded police on the day, but has since been arrested.

Operation Bumblebee has been re-launched to help tackle burglary across London. It encourages residents to “think like a burglar”. Operation Bumblebee advice can be found at:
http://www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/burglary.htm
Alternatively please contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team (number above) or the Crime Prevention Officer, PC Greg Hunt on 020 8649 3245. Your SNT will be happy to carry out a home security survey for you and give you advice accordingly.

DRIVE OUT VEHICLE CRIME

In an effort to combat vehicle crime, Merton Borough Police in conjunction with Safer Merton are launching a ‘Drive Out Vehicle Crime’ initiative which will include a number of partnership interventions throughout the year, the first of which is to provide a property marking service for those living within the Borough that may well have received property such as sat navs that may well be used and left in vehicles.

Figges Marsh SNT will be in Mitcham Town Centre on 26th January between 11:00 and 13:00 providing the property marking service.

As always, please urge your neighbours, colleagues and friends to join up to the CommunitySafe site.
To report Crime please remember to call 999 if there is a crime happening ‘now’ or the new non-emergency number 0300 123 1212 if it has already happened.

Best Wishes from your Sergeant
Sgt. Juliet Sowter

Your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):FIGGES MARSH

PS Juliet Sowter
PC Tony Weston PC James Jackson
PCSO Mike Knellor PCSO Jason Welsh
PCSO Sam Beazley-Long PCSO Dan Geiles

You can contact the team on 020 8649 3603 or FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk

January 2010

DRIVE OUT VEHICLE CRIME - FIGGES MARSH WARD

Dear residents,

In an effort to combat vehicle crime, Merton Borough Police in conjunction with Safer Merton are launching a ‘Drive Out Vehicle Crime’ initiative which will include a number of partnership interventions throughout the year, the first of which is to provide a property marking service for those living within the Borough that may well have received property such as sat navs that may well be used and left in vehicles.
Inspector Jim COOK from Merton Police said, “Vehicle crime is the one of the highest crime types in the Borough and a number of Safer Neighbourhood Teams have had vehicle crime reduction chosen by their ward Panels to work. We will be looking to raise the public’s awareness and offering advice on how they can help us reduce the incidence of vehicle crime. Over the coming weeks and months Merton Police will be carrying out a number of proactive operations against those involved in vehicle crime. Already the Safer Neighbourhood Teams conduct a large number of Automatic Number Plate Operations and will continue these with both uniform and plain clothes patrols in areas where vehicle crime is most prevalent.
We take this opportunity to remind you all to:
Ensure cars are locked – this might seem simple but a high percentage of cars are left unlocked in Merton.
Don’t leave anything on view – you may know your jacket is empty but an opportunist thief doesn’t.
Take your sat nav out of your vehicle and clean the suction mark off the windscreen – thieves will smash your window just to check the glove box.
For any further information please contact your local Figges Marsh Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Regards,
Juliet Sowter
PS79VW
0208 6493603
FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk

Figges Marsh Ward Update 7th January 2010

Your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):
PS Juliet Sowter
PC Tony Weston PC James Jackson
PCSO Mike Knellor PCSO Jason Welsh
PCSO Sam Beazley-Long PCSO Dan Geiles

You can contact the team on 020 8649 3603 or FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk

We ended the year with excellent work from one of our PCSOs.

On Thursday 31 December 2009, PCSO Mike Knellar, aged 22 years, of Figges Marsh Safer Neighbourhoods Team, was on single patrol on a pedal cycle on his ward.

At about 4.15pm whilst patrolling Mulholland Close, he saw a parked light blue 06-registered Ford Fiesta car with four male youths inside. As he past the car, he smelt cannabis being smoked through the open car windows, and quickly turned round to approach the car.

The car suddenly drove off and disappeared. Mike called up for police support via radio, giving the vehicle’s last direction and index number.

Using his extensive local knowledge and whilst still alone on single patrol, Mike went to a nearby estate where he believed the suspects may have headed for. He then saw the car parked in Moore Close, with people getting out of it and entering a nearby address.

He immediately circulated this information by radio and approached the car. A youth carrying a large bag tried to get away, but Mike detained him. In the ensuing struggle, the PCSO fell from his bike but was able to keep hold of the bag as the youth got away. Mike gave chase on foot, leaving the bag with his bike on the ground.

Still giving directions on his radio to other police units rapidly coming to his aid, he saw another youth go back to the bike and pick up the bag. Mike chased this youth instead - who dropped the bag as he ran away from the PCSO. Police arriving at the scene directly stopped and arrested this youth.

When the bag was search, a substantial amount of what is believed to be herbal cannabis was recovered. The abandoned Ford car was also found to be stolen.

Wimbledon police are making further enquiries concerning both the arrested suspect and the outstanding offenders, the stolen car and the contents of the recovered bag, which have been despatched for forensic analysis.

Supt Pete Dobson, Community and Partnerships Superintendent, said “This is an excellent example of single patrolling plus expert local knowledge in action. Mike is a professional PCSO who knows his beat very well. This is just the kind of policing action our residents have come to expect from their Safer Neighbourhoods Teams here at Merton, and Mike and his colleagues did a great job on this New Year’s Eve afternoon.”

If YOU saw these suspects on New Year’s Eve, or have any information about this incident, don’t hesitate to call Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111, or contact Figges Marsh SNT.

We hope to bring you more of the same in 2010.

Wishing you a Prosperous New Year

PS Juliet SOWTER
Figges Marsh SNT

May I take this opportunity to wish you a Very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

from Figges Marsh SNT

• 12 days of Christmas (237.5 KB)

Figges Marsh Ward Update 18th December 2009

Your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):
PS Juliet Sowter
PC Tony Weston PC James Jackson
PCSO Mike Knellor PCSO Jason Welsh
PCSO Sam Beazley-Long PCSO Dan Geiles
You can contact the team on 020 8649 3603 or FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk

Burglary Patrols

Burglary continues to be a Ward priority. We have continued to concentrate our patrols in the Graham Road area. You may have seen our reassurance bus parked there. We were there to act as a deterrent to any would be burglar and to offer advice around protecting your home. Please take time to review your home security including boundary fencing, particularly from rear and side alleyways.

Operation Bumblebee has just been re-launched to help tackle burglary across London. It encourages residents to “think like a burglar”. Operation Bumblebee advice can be found at:

http://www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/burglary.htm

Alternatively please contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team (number above) or the Crime Prevention Officer, PC Greg Hunt on 020 8649 3245. Your SNT will be happy to carry out a home security survey for you and give you advice accordingly.

Safety advice for Christmas

In the month of November there were three residential burglaries reported.
Now is the time to conduct a home security check for your property by ‘thinking like a burglar’. The Figges Marsh Safer Neighbourhoods Team can assist in any crime prevention matters which you feel you need assistance with. You can contact us on the numbers above.

We traditionally see a rise in burglary around the Christmas season. There are extra precautions which can be taken to try to make sure it doesn’t happen to you.

1. Do not leave presents under the tree so they can be viewed from the street (hide them away!)

2. Use timer switches to turn on and off Radios, lights and TV’s whilst out.

3. Get a letterbox deflector fitted to your letterbox. This reduces the opportunity for burglars to use their hands or an implement to fish for keys or to look through the letterbox to see who is in.

4. Ensure ALL windows and doors are locked secure when not at home, even if you only leave the house for a short while.

5. After the festivities DO NOT leave packaging of expensive items such as computers and televisions outside as this advertises what new items you may have acquired.

We are holding Surgeries for you as local resident to come along and discuss your views on the crime and disorder that affects you.

We will be in Mitcham Town Centre in the Reassurance Bus on the following dates.

24th December 2009 11:00 - 13:00
6th January 2010 11:00 - 13:00
26th January 2010 11:00 - 13:00
16th February 2010 11:00 - 13:00

Come along and have a chat.

We are in the process of arranging some dates when we will be in Mitcham Library.

As always, please urge your neighbours, colleagues and friends to join up to the CommunitySafe site.
To report Crime please remember to call 999 if there is a crime happening ‘now’ or the new non-emergency number 0300 123 1212 if it has already happened.

Best Wishes from your Sergeant

Sgt. Juliet Sowter

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
MSC Manager
Merton Borough

Merton Figges Marsh
Safer Neighbourhoods Team

020 8649 3603
mertonfiggesmarsh.snt@met.police.uk

Newsletter
Merton Figges Marsh
29th November 2009

Figges Marsh Ward Update 29th November 2009
Your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):
PS Juliet Sowter
PC Tony Weston PC James Jackson
PCSO Mike Knellar PCSO Jason Welsh
PCSO Sam Beazley-Long PCSO Dan Geiles
You can contact the team on 020 8649 3603 or FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk

Burglary Patrols
The team have been concentrating their burglary patrols in the Graham Road and Grove Road areas during the last few weeks following a burglary in each area during the last month. Residents are asked to be vigilant and report any suspicious behavior.
Burglaries often increase in the run up to Christmas. Your Safer Neighbourhood Team will be carrying out a Home Security Scheme highlighting any vulnerable premises and giving advice on how to protect your home.
Please take time to review your home security including boundary fencing, particularly from rear and side alleyways.
Operation Bumblebee has just been re-launched to help tackle burglary across London. It encourages residents to “think like a burglar”. Operation Bumblebee advice can be found at:
http://www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/burglary.htm
Alternatively please contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team (number above) or the Crime Prevention Officer, PC Greg Hunt on 020 8649 3245. Your SNT will be happy to carry out a home security survey for you and give you advice accordingly.

Bogus Callers
We have recently received reports that two females have been knocking on doors in your area, sometimes in the middle of the night. They have provided various sob stories or claimed to be collecting for a sick neighbour. Our advice is not to let them in and not to give money to people unless you know them or they are collecting for a reputable charity.
We have increased patrols in the area. If you are contacted by one of these women or anyone else you have suspicions about, you can call us on the numbers above.
As always, please urge your neighbours, colleagues and friends to join up to the CommunitySafe site.
To report Crime please remember to call 999 if there is a crime happening ‘now’ or the new non-emergency number 0300 123 1212 if it has already happened.

Best Wishes from your new Sergeant
Sgt. Juliet Sowter

COMMUNITY CRIME FIGHTERS TRAINING

Are you currently active in your local community e.g. Neighbourhood Watch, tenant association,
Police ward panel member or other community group or organisation ?

If so, we would like to invite you to attend the Community Crime Fighters training day
which will be held on Wednesday 25th November 2009 at the Oval Cricket Ground.

You will get a chance to participate in workshops looking at the Policing Pledge, the tools
and powers councils have to tackle anti social behaviour and neighbourhood crime. You
will also hear about the services available to victims of crime and ASB and learn how to
get the best from your local services.

The event is free of charge and lunch and refreshments are provided.
Assistance with travel costs is also available.

If you are interested in attending, please call the Community Crime Fighters registration
desk on 0800 197 2965 or via www.communitycrimefighters.org.uk and quote booking
reference ccf02.

Please note that this event is open to people over the age of sixteen and not in full time
education.

regards
Louise VICKERS

Halloween and fireworks night is almost upon us again and will be one of the busiest times of the year with regards to anti social behaviour. We want people to be safe while out enjoying themselves so please read on to see what your Safer Neighbourhood Team and Safer Transport Team have planned to keep you safe during this period. Months of planning has taken place so that the law-abiding majority can enjoy this autumn’s festivities without their fun being spoilt by a small number of troublemakers.

There will be an increase in police activity to deter anti-social behaviour, disorder and crime during this busy time. Your Safer Neighbourhood Team will be working later shifts during this time to keep you and the ward safe while individuals involved in knife crime and other violent offending will be targeted under Operation Blunt 2. Your Safer Neighbourhood Teams can be contacted on their 'mobex' phone that they carry and their contact numbers can be found on the Met Police website. These phone numbers are non emergency phone numbers so we would urge you all to ring 999 in the first instance if there is an incident that warrants immediate Police attention. As your Teams will be working later shifts during this time it is highly likley that they will be the ones responding to your calls.

Safer Schools’ Partnership Police Officers will be working to protect and reassure young people. In the run up to schools’ breaking up they will be focusing on the end of the school day when large numbers of young people come together on and around the public transport system.

The Safer Transport Teams will be concentrating on the bus routes and bus terminii and the Safer Town Centre Team will be working in the Town centres.
We have been asking shops and supermarkets not to sell eggs and flour to young people which often are used to throw at houses and other buildings.

The small minority who remain intent on using this period as an opportunity for criminal activity can expect police attention. In particular those who choose to carry knives and other weapons can expect to be arrested and sent to court and it is only a very small minority whose anti-social behaviour causes misery for others.

To assist you with being safe during this period we have produced some key Safety Messages:

Advice to Parents, and carers -
• Make sure you know where they are and they know how to behave
• Go with them trick or treating if you can
• Keep fireworks in a safe place in the house
• Report any anti-social behaviour or concerns to your local Safer Neighbourhood teams.
• Attend organised events wherever possible.

Advice to young people -
• We want you to enjoy yourselves but will not tolerate unacceptable behaviour.
• Ensure you are safe by staying with others
• Leave your valuable property at home.
• Attend organised events wherever possible.
• When trick or treating avoid knocking on elderly neighbours and causing unnecessary worry.

We have attached a poster that we have devised that you may wish to print off and display in your front window or somewhere else prominent over the Halloween period if you do not want trick and treaters calling at your door.

Have a safe Halloween and fireworks night !!

Inspector Matt BOYD - Morden SNT
Inspector Jim COOK - Wimbledon SNT
Inspector Jon PHILLIPS - Mitcham SNT
Inspector Dave ROBLING - Safer Transport Team

• No Trick or Treat Poster (92.4 KB)

PUBLIC MEETING
SATURDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER from 10:30 to 12:30
at St Mark's Church Hall, St Mark's Road, Mitcham

You said...We did...

Come and hear what we have achieved since the last public meeting and raise any other issues with your Safer Neighbourhoods Team.

Figges Marsh SNT
020 8649 3603
FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk

look forward to seeing you there
Louise Vickers

Action In Merton DAYS
Clean Up Eastfields
24th & 25th September

Come and meet your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team with the Reassurance bus offering Crime prevention Advice.

On the two days you can take advantage of....
Merton Council in conjunction with the RSPCA - Dog chipping
Knife Amnesty bin for unwanted knives
Merton Fire Brigade - Fire Safety Advice (Friday 25th 1pm - 2pm)
Merton Council - Housing advice
Litter picking with a local primary school.
Community Payback team - clearance of flytipping and hedge tipping.

Figges Marsh SNT 020 N8649 3603
FiggesMarsh.snt@met.police.uk
look forward to meeting you there
regards Louise Vickers