CommunitySafe.gov.uk

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

Thankyou,

Sergeant Jeff New
Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2450

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

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”. Your local 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 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. 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

thankyou,

Sergeant Jeff New
Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team
T 0208 721 2450
dundonald.snt@met.police.uk

Dear Residents,

Please read the attached newsletter which contains general crime prevention advice. Of particular note is the recent spate of cycle thefts. The rear yard of Wimbledon police station has in excess of 200 recovered bikes which will go to public auction as their owners cannot be traced. If you own a bike please invest in a quality lock and take the time to make a note of the make, model and frame number. It vastly increases the chances of reuniting you with your bike.

I would also again mention the need to check the Identification of any unsolicited tradesmen attending your premises in the light of a recent attempt by two white males aged in their 40's who tried to con their way into an address in Bronson Road SW20 at around 1130 hours on Tuesday 1st June 2010.

thankyou,

Sergeant Jeff New
Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2450
Dundonald.snt@met.police.uk

• Crime Prevention Newsletter (642.5 KB)

Merton - Driving out vehicle crime

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. 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

Thankyou,

Sergeant Jeff New
Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 245
Dundonald.snt@met.police.uk

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 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.

thankyou,

Sergeant Jeff New
Dundonald safer neighbourhoods team
0208 721 2450
dundonald.snt@met.police.uk

Residents of Dundonald ward this e-mail is an update as to what has been happening on the ward.
Burglary- There have been 12 residential burglaries across the ward since the beginning of the year in particular in the residential roads bordering the town centre and tram lines. Please rest assured that officers are mounting both plain clothes and uniformed patrols in your area to catch those responsible. However despite repeated requests residents are leaving their premises vulnerable by not securing their properties. If you would like a crime prevention survey please contact your team and we will gladly survey your home and point out vulnerable areas.

Bogus callers- There have reports of a female preying on the vulnerable and elderly purporting to be from social services then gaining entry to premises and stealing property. The majority of these offences have occurred in the Morden area, lets not be complacent . Please check for ID of all callers and check on your neighbours to ensure they do not fall victim to crime, report all suspicious persons to police
Believed medicine scam-Leaflets are being distributed through letterboxes from a charity requesting unwanted medicines, claiming they can be sent to third world countries.The flyer is bright yellow with black writing. It indicates that members of the public should place any unused/unneeded medicines in a plastic bag and leave it on their doorstep on a allocated day.This is not believed to be a legitimate agency and there are serious safety issues with medicines being left on doorsteps where they may be accessed by children.Please again report to to local team on the details below.If urgent dial 999.

thankyou,

Sgt Jeff New PS42VW

Dundonald safer Neighbourhoods Team
dundonald.snt@met.police.uk.
02087212450

Dear All

This is just to let you all know that Met Tracks (free professional athletic coaching for 10-17 year olds) is being re launched in the borough on Thursday 25th March at The Hub, Tooting and Mitcham FC, Bishopsford Road, Morden. Please read the attached poster and feel free to pass on to anyone who has Daley Thompson aspirations the Olympics are not that far away.

thankyou,

Sergeant Jeff New
Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team
Dundonald.snt@met.police.uk
0208 721 2450

• Metracks poster (634 KB)

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.
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.

Thankyou,

Sergeant Jeff New
Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2450

Reporting terrorist material online 1 February 2010

We are providing members of the public with information about what they can do in the event they come across violent extremist, terrorist and hate content online.

The new webpage on Directgov (new window) will include a form for the public to report suspected terror-related and violent extremist websites to the police.
The pilot scheme aims to make the internet a more hostile environment for terrorists and violent extremists who seek to exploit modern technology. If a website meets the threshold for illegal content, officers can exercise powers under section 3 of the Terrorism Act 2006 to take it down.

What can be reported?

Illegal terrorism content Any information that is intended to be useful to terrorists is illegal, including:
bomb-making instructions
guides to making poisons
instructions on how to make weapons
guides to targets.
Illegal violent extremist content Some violent extremist content is also illegal. This might include:
videos of beheadings with messages of ‘glorification’ or praise for the attackers
speeches or essays calling for racial or religious violence
messages intended to stir up hatred against any religious or ethnic group
chat forums with postings calling for people to commit acts of terrorism.
Illegal hate content The content of a website is illegal when it threatens or harasses a person or a group of people because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or gender identity. That could be in words, pictures, videos, and even music.

Illegal hate content might include:
messages calling for racial or religious violence
web pages that show pictures, videos or descriptions of violence against people due to their race, religion, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity
chat forums where people ask other people to commit hate crimes

thankyou for your attention,

PC142 VW Chalky WHITE
CT FOCUS DESK Coordinator MERTON Borough

Phone: 020-8649-4038
E Mail : Kevin.White@met.pnn.police.uk
Mail: Wimbledon Police Station
15 Queens Road
SW19 5NN

One to be aware of….

A local resident recently reported being offered ‘free books’ at her doorstep by a cold caller. After accepting this offer and declining other subsequent offers of books to buy she received a hefty bill from the company and an accompanying solicitor’s letter demanding payment or face legal action. Merton Council’s trading standards are investigating the matter.

We would advise residents to exercise their discretion - If something looks to good to be true it invariably is! Always check the small print and be cautious when dealing with unknown people calling unannounced at your door. DON’T accept anyone’s verbal word if you are signing documents which you haven't read.

Legitimate callers at the door will have identification and if they are selling products at your door a licence issued by the local council.

Regards
Pc Gareth Purkis
Dundonald Safer Neighbourhood Team

Dear Resident,
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.
Acting Sergeant Dan WHEATLEY from the Raynes Park Safer Neighbourhood 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 Dundonald Safer Neighbourhood Team via our email: Dundonald.snt@met.police.uk or telephone 0208 721 2450.

Kind Regards,
Sgt Jeff New
Dundonald Safer Neighbourhood Team

Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team Ward Message

Your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):
PS Jeff New
PC Gareth Purkis PC Laura Hamilton
PC Mark Whitehouse PCSO Stephen Waite
PCSO Allan Johnson PCSO Karen Williams

You can contact the team on 020 8721 2450 or dundonald.SNT@met.police.uk

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 on. 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. I would urge those living in Merton to contact their local Safer Neighbourhood Team and sign up to Community Safe to receive up to date news of what their local Safer Neighbourhood Team is up to. This is a free system and by joining it you can find out about crime alerts and what the Police are doing in your local area. You can join by either logging onto WWW.Communitysafe.gov.uk or by contacting your local Safer Neighbourhood Team direct”.

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 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.

Dear Members,

We would like to bring to your attention a recent attempted burglary which occurred on our ward.

In this instance the suspect or suspects entered the rear garden of a property in Kingswood Road by climbing the 6 foot garden fence. They then removed a pair of sheers from the unsecured garden shed and used them in an attempt to gain entry to the house via the rear window and door. Fortunately this attempt was unsuccessful and they did not manage to break in to the property.

We would kindly ask that all members check their sheds, garages and other out-buildings to ensure that all tools and other items of value and properly secured.

If you have any concerns regarding the security of your home or garden then please do not hesitate to contact our team and we will happily carry out a home security visit at your property.

If you require any further information on this on any other matter then please get in touch with the team, our details are as follows,

Telephone number: 0208 721 2450
E-mail: dundonald.snt@met.police.uk

Kind regards,

Dundonald Safer Neighbourhood Team

WHAT NEW YEAR's RESOLUTIONS DID YOU MAKE?

Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team Ward Message

Your Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):
PS Jeff New
PC Gareth Purkis PC Laura Hamilton
PC Mark Whitehouse PCSO Stephen Waite
PCSO Allan Johnson PCSO Karen Williams

You can contact the team on 020 8721 2450 or dundonald.SNT@met.police.uk

New Year Message,

On behalf of the Dundonald Safer Neighbourhood Team I would like to wish all of our residents, workers & visitors to Dundonald Ward a Happy New Year and a safe 2010.

This time of year tends to be a time of reflection on things that we have done (or haven’t got around to doing!) during the past year or even decade.

The new year often spurs us into making New Year’s Resolutions, starting something we’ve been meaning to get around to for a long time……joining the gym, decorating the house, giving up smoking etc etc.

Here are a few alternative New Year Resolutions that you may wish to consider for 2010:

1. If you love it - register it

By registering your valuables on www.immobilise.com you can put details of your prized possessions on a national database that police can access and compare against items that have been found or recovered from suspected criminals.
The on-line service is totally free and is quick and easy to use. Items marked as being registered with Immobilise are less likely to be stolen, and households displaying Immobilise stickers are less likely to be targeted by burglars.

2. Start/Re-start a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme

Neighbourhood Watch schemes can:
• cut crime and the opportunities for crime
• help and reassure those who live in the area
• encourage neighbourliness and closer communities

You may even get a discount on your home contents insurance.

To discuss starting a scheme or reinvigorating an existing scheme please contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team by any of the means above or alternatively the Merton NHW Manager on 020 8649 3213. More details of Merton Neighbourhood Watch can be found at http://www.mertonnhw.co.uk

3. Vehicle Crime – Protect Yourself

Did you know that...
• Most vehicle crime is preventable. It can take as little as 10 seconds for a thief to steal something from your car. If at all possible, leave nothing on view. (not even empty bags)
• NEVER leave valuable items in your car, including sunglasses, the removable radio cover and your Sat Nav. Do you really need all those things you keep in the glove box?
• Wipe away the Sat Nav mark on your windscreen.

4. Review Your Home Security

Did you know that your Safer Neighbourhood Team can visit your home and conduct a Home Security Survey? This is free of charge and shouldn’t take more than an hour of your time. The survey will highlight areas of your home where security is both good and more importantly where it can be improved to help keep intruders away. Contact the Dundonald Team if you’d like to make an appointment.

Alternatively there is comprehensive home security information at http://www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/house.htm

5. Get your Alleyway Gated!

If your home is bordered by an alleyway consider getting together with the neighbours who share access and having it gated. This will not only provide security against burglars but can also help to stop flytipping.

Grants are also available from the council to cover 40% of the costs.

More details can be found at http://www.merton.gov.uk/living/transport-streets/alley-gating.htm . The borough Merton Alleygate Coordinator can be contacted on 020 8545 4786.

6. Become a Met Volunteer or Special Constable

Many people want a new challenge at the start of a new year. Why not join the Metropolitan Police as either a Special Constable or a MetVolunteer.

The Met Special Constabulary (MSC) is a force of volunteers who work with and offer support to regular Metropolitan Police Officers, providing a vital link with the people of London's 32 Boroughs.

Afforded the same powers as regular officers and wearing the same uniform, Special Constables are everyday people who are prepared to give up at least 25 hours of their spare time each month to do something positive for themselves and their community.

In addition, your training and duties will provide you with a number of intangible personal rewards, interesting experiences, new friends, additional skills, a sense of achievement - they all ensure that you benefit from your time as a Special as much as the community you serve.

The Met Volunteer Programme (MVP) gives volunteers the opportunity to support the Met in making London the safest major city in the world. It increases contact between local communities and the police, and improves the service we give to the public.
Met Volunteers lend their skills and free time to help make London safer.
They volunteer in the borough that they also live or work in.
By giving back to their community, they also gain valuable experiences.

For information on either of these opportunities visit the Metropolitan Police website at http://www.met.police.uk/careers

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.

Have a great New Year.

Best Wishes for 2010,

Sgt. Jeff NEW

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

Over the past two weeks we have experienced an increased number of residential burglaries within the ward. We would like to take this opportunity to remind our residents that their property should be left secure at all times. In recent cases entry has been forced into properties by both the front and rear doors. We would like to stress the importance of closing and double locking all windows and doors when leaving your property, even if it is only for a few minutes. Most of these recent burglaries could have been prevented had the occupants used the chub lock and not just the Yale lock.

Residents are reminded to make sure if there is an alley gate or side gate between houses to keep it locked when not in use. Burglars will often seek to get to the rear of premises where they will have more privacy and time to gain access.

If you are visited by any unsolicited trade people then please ensure that you check their credentials and photo ID properly. If you have any doubts do not let them into your property. If they are attending your home for genuine reasons they will have no problem waiting while you examine their ID or make contact with their employer.

We would also like to remind residents that you can register your property via www.immobilise.com which is a nationwide scheme. You might also consider marking property with UV pens; these are inexpensive and can be obtained from a number of high street retailers. Property should be marked with your surname and postcode, in the event of the property being stolen and recovered it greatly increases the chances of us prosecuting those responsible and reuniting you with it. For the same reasons we would recommend that you take photographs of any items which are distinctive in appearance.

If you see anyone behaving suspiciously in your area please report it immediately via 999. It could be trying doors, looking through windows, jumping fences, knocking doors to ask trivial questions - anything that doesn’t seem quite right. Trust your instincts!

Should you have any concerns security in your own home and would like us to visit you to discuss this or any other matter then please feel free to contact us at any time.

Thank you for taking hte time to read this message,

Sgt Jeff New
Dundonald Safer Neighbourhood Team
0208 721 2450
dundonlad.snt@met.police.uk

There have been a number of thefts from motor vehicles of satellite navigation units, laptops, wallets and other property. These have all been from vehicles that are parked behind locked security gates where the vehicle has been left unlocked. Please can residents be aware that thieves know vehicles behind security gates are often unlocked and therefore an easy target for them.

Please protect yourself by locking your vehicle at all times and do not leave property on display to tempt a thief.

Police have forensicated all of the vehicles that have been broken into in the area and are looking to identify the persons carrying out these thefts.

How can we make Merton safer?

Safer Merton is your local Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership. The partners include a range of agencies such as the police, council and fire brigade, who work together to reduce problems in the borough relating to crime, anti-social behaviour and drug and alcohol misuse.

By March 2010 Safer Merton will have completed it's third borough wide Strategic Assessment. This assessment examines all the crimes that have happened in Merton in order to help us set the Partnership's priorities for 2010/11. To help inform this decision making process we would really appreciate your views and for you to tell us what your top three concerns and priorities are in relation to community safety. Below is a link to a very short form to enable you to provide us with your comments. It should only take a couple of minutes to complete.

www.merton.gov.uk/safermertonconsultation

If you would like any further information about the consultation, please contact the Safer Merton Team on 020 8 274 5971. Alternatively you can email us at safer.merton@merton.gov.uk.

Thankyou,

Sgt Jeff New
Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0207 721 2450
dundonald.snt@met.police.uk

Many thanks

On September 9th 2009, Police were called to Graham Road SW19 after a local resident reported seeing two men kicking the wing mirrors of parked vehicles. The two men, one 18 year old from Streatham and one 19 year old from Teddington, were arrested for causing criminal damage to motor vehicles. Both had been drinking in Wimbledon for several hours prior to the incident.
They were issued with fixed penalty notices and both received an £80.00 fine.
Drink related anti-social behaviour is one of Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Policing priorities and we take all crimes of this nature very seriously.

We are determined to reduce the frequency of these incidents through pro-active patrols and robust policing of Wimbledon Town Centre.

While on a night out with friends in Wimbledon Town Centre this summer a woman in her twenties became a victim of crime when her purse was stolen from her handbag. She reported the theft to police and explained that she was particularly upset as in her purse were four VIP tickets for the V festival. Enquiries were carried out and four identical tickets were found on the internet advertised for sale in the Wimbledon area. A meeting was arranged between the seller, a friend of the victim and a plain clothes policed officer from Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team. At the meeting a man offered to sell four tickets to the victim and PC Whitehouse for £1000. The tickets on closer inspection were found to be the same tickets as had been stolen from the victim. The man when interviewed stated that they didn’t know they were stolen and was selling them for friends and supplied the details of the two women who he was selling the tickets for. Both women were subsequently arrested and admitted to having stolen the tickets and that the male selling them had no idea they were stolen. Both were given given adult cautions for their involvement and the tickets were restored to the victim in time for her to attend the festival.

We would like to remind those people shopping or socialising within wimbledon town centre to keep a close eye on their belongings and to call police if you see people acting suspiciously either by calling 999 In the event of an emergency or by calling your local police via 0300 123 1212.

Thanyou,

Sgt jeff New
Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team
0208 721 2450
dundonald.snt@met.police.uk

Vulnerable Vehicle Scheme

The Vulnerable Vehicle Scheme is aimed at reducing the amount of vehicles that are broken into, thereby reducing vehicle crime. Unfortunately some drivers are still leaving their property, often of value, in their cars in plain view of an opportunistic thief. Leaving valuables in sight will encourage a thief to break in. During the course of daily patrols we keep an eye out for vulnerable vehicles, which are vehicles that have property on show or have left windows or doors open.

The types of property that are often left on show are compact discs, mobile phones, MP3 players, laptops, handbags and wallets. Satellite Navigation systems are the thieves favourite at the moment and leaving the suction mount on the windscreen or even the mark left on the glass following removal can cause a thief to break in, so please take them with you and wipe away any marks from the windscreen.

When we come across a vulnerable vehicle we make a note of its registration, the make and model of the vehicle, where it was parked and why we consider it to be at risk. We then either visit or write to the registered keeper informing them why it was considered to be at risk. The letter acts as a reminder to the owner to be more safety conscious in the future and will hopefully significantly reduce the crime in the area.

Many thanks

Sgt Jeff New
dundonald safer neighbourhoods team
0208 721 2450
dundonald.snt@met.police.uk

On Tuesday 28th July 2009 at around 1500 hours police were called to Wilton Crescent SW19 to reports that a house was being broken into. Police arrived in time to see a man wearing a high visibility tabard running up the stairs of the house. This male jumped out of a 3rd storey window and was found hiding in a shed several gardens away with a broken ankle.

A search of the area by a police dog and enquiries conducted by community support officers with neighbours have indicated the presence of another suspect who is also believed to have tried to break into a house in Cliveden Road on the same day. Enquiries are ongoing to identify this male who is described as a black male in his 30’s around 6ft tall of stocky build wearing blue overalls splattered with white paint who was last seen walking down Henfield Road. There is a suggestion that he may have driven away in a Blue BMW car.

We would appeal for any witnesses to this incident to contact Dundonald Safer Neighbourhood’s Team.

In relation to this incident all property taken has been recovered and the arrested male has is now residing at her majesty’s pleasure pending his appearance at Crown Court after which he can expect a custodial sentence.

Residential burglary crime figures within our ward have recently seen an increase and we are now getting one residential burglary a week. Entry has been forced into properties by both the front and rear doors. We are taking this opportunity to remind people to keep their property secure, closing and double locking all windows and using all the locks on the door when leaving even if it is only for a few minutes. Most of these burglaries could have been prevented had the occupants used the chub lock and not just the Yale lock. Residents are reminded to make sure if there is an alley gate between houses that to keep it locked. Burglars will often seek to get to the rear of premises where they will have more privacy and time to gain access.

Report via 999 immediately if you see anyone behaving suspiciously - trying doors, looking through windows, jumping fences, knocking doors to ask trivial questions. Trust your instincts!

Should you have any concerns about your home security and would like some free advice please feel free to get in contact with us. We would also like to remind residents that you can register your property via www.immobilise.com which is a nationwide scheme. You might also consider marking property with UV pens; these are inexpensive and can be obtained from a number of high street retailers. Property should be marked with your surname and postcode, in the event of the property being stolen and recovered it greatly increases the chances of us prosecuting those responsible and reuniting you with it.
Yours sincerely,
Sergeant Jeff New PS 42 VW
Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team
Tel 0208 721 2450
dundonald.snt@met.police.uk

Dear resident,

Whilst Dundonald ward has only had one residential burglary in the past three months, bordering wards have suffered a spate of residential burglary and I would ask all residents to take a moment to read the crime prevention advice below:

ARE YOU SECURE?
An open house is an open invitation

Remove the opportunity-prevent the burglary

Don't make it easy for them-follow simple security advice to help keep your property safe:

1) When you leave your home, ensure that all windows and final exit doors are double locked.

2) Ensure that your front and back doors have at least two locks fitted centrally on the door at least 14 inches apart.

3) Check your door locks. Check they have the British standard kite mark. If they don't, change them for ones that do.
You may be entitled to a reduction in your insurance premium. Residents over 60 may be entitled to have their locks
upgraded free of charge under a scheme run by the London Borough of Merton (MESH).

4) Install timers which switch lights and or radios on and off automatically.

5) If going out after dark, draw the curtains, leave some lights on and a radio playing.

6) Never leave a spare key concealed anywhere near the front door-burglars know all the hiding places.

7) Prevent letter box burglaries (whereby a hook or hanger is used) by storing keys away from the front door.

8) Property mark your valuable items and then register them at www.immobilise.com

For crime prevention advice, log on to www.met.police.uk or contact your local Crime Reduction Officer on 020 8649 3245.

Your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team is working hard to address the problem of residential burglary and are carrying
out reassurance activities including high visibility patrols.

TOGETHER WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE AND REDUCE THE NUMBER OF RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Dear Community Safe member,

I thought that I should write and let you know about a couple of important pieces of work that are taking place within Wimbledon Town Centre. The first is the newly created Safer Town Centres Team that are now patrolling the various Town centres within Merton.

The Safer Town Centres Team are based at Wimbledon Police Station and currently consist of 3 full time Police Officers supported by members of the Special Constabulary as and when available. They work a combination of both late and early shifts and will be concentrating on those issues that affect the Town Centres. They will work alongside the existing Safer Neighbourhood Teams on Town centre issues.

Police in Merton have teamed up with the London Borough of Merton and Licensees within the Town Centre to launch a new scheme to tackle anti-social behaviour in the town centre’s pubs, bars and clubs.“BEHAVE OR BE BANNED” aims to punish the loutish few who spoil other drinkers’ evenings.

At present there are 15 Town Centre bars and clubs that have signed up to this scheme that sees those who commit any of the following offences in licensed premises banned for an indefinite period from all public houses in the area displaying the Behave or Be Banned logo.

• Acts of violence on staff at licensed premises, members of the public and police officers;
• Alcohol-related criminal damage;
• The use and supply of drugs in licensed premises;
• The supply of alcohol to children;
• Drunkenness and disorder;
• Theft on licensed premises;
• Sexual offences on licensed premises.

The following are a list of the Town Centre Clubs and bars participating in BOBB.

Alexandra PH
All Bar One
Bar Sia
Edwards
Terrace
Hand and Racquet
O’Neills
Po Na Na
Prince of Wales and Berties
Suburban Bar and Lounge
Henry J Beans
Walkabout
Watershed
Wibbas Down Inn
Slug and Lettuce

Thank you for your continued support of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams. If I can assist you with anything, please do not hesitate in contacting me.

Kind regards

Jim COOK
Wimbledon Sector Safer Neighbourhood Team Inspector

Phone: 020 8649 4021
Email: Jimcook@met.police.uk
SW19 8NN