Community safety

Crime Prevention regarding Motor Vehicles
October and November are traditionally two of the busiest months of the year for crime on Raynes Park and West Barnes Wards so now is a good time to remind yourself how you can significantly reduce your chances of being a victim of crime by taking some simple steps.
 
Theft from motor vehicles remains the highest type of crime committed in this area with cars left unlocked overnight and cars left near sports grounds being targeted. A man has recently been charged with 2 counts of handling stolen goods regarding SatNavs stolen from the West Barnes Ward overnight. I suspect more than one person is responsible for this so it is well worth checking your car is locked before going to bed. We have had several reports of young men seen walking down streets in the middle of the night trying car door handles.
 
Sports Lockers

We have had no reports of lockers at sports venues being broken into in the last 6 months but quite a few reports of cars being forcibly entered. Our advice is to take your property with you otherwise the offenders may see you put your expensive phone into the boot of your car then while the car park is quiet with everyone at the match the car is broken into.
 
If you require any further information or would like to contact the Raynes Park or West Barnes Safer Neighbourhoods Team please see our details below.
 
Sgt Graham Chapman 54VW
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0208 721 2459
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 0208 721 2454

Police urge residents to ‘think like a burglar’ over the Autumn Nights
As the nights draw in, the Met commences Operation ‘Autumn Nights’, its seasonal awareness campaign to combat burglary, robbery and anti-social behaviour. With clocks due to go back an hour on Sunday 28th October and both Halloween and bonfire night approaching, residents become more vulnerable to burglars as the evenings get darker and burglars find it easy to identify unoccupied homes left in the dark.
So people of Merton Borough, here are the top ten tips for crime prevention from the Met!

1. Mark or etch your property with your postcode, house or flat number or the first three letters of your house name.
2. Register items with a serial number at http://www.immobilise.com/
3.  Do not leave your car keys, valuables or documents near a door, letterbox or window.
4. Always check who's at the door and don't open it if you feel anxious.
5. Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes.
6. Keep your valuables out of sight.
7. Leave some lights on if it will be dark before you get home.
8. Fit a mortice lock to your front door and other external doors. Consider installing a burglar alarm.
9. Always keep sheds and outbuildings locked.
10. Cancel milk or other deliveries if you will be away for days or weeks at a time.