Item added 5th March 2006
FROM EMAIL FROM WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 2nd March 2006:

The files attached below have reports on burglary (note that car crimes and street crimes are not included).

Message from Steve Selby, Community Safety Unit
Owing to a change in police administration, the wards within the old Wandsworth police sector are now covered by either Putney or Tooting sectors. As a result, the Balham & Tooting briefing may appear a little longer. All contact details for the police remain the same, and in practice you should see very little difference in your dealings with the police.

Another change is that for the time being we are no longer including street crimes in the briefings. This is mainly because we do not wish to increase the fear of crime and deter people from visiting some parts of the borough.The bulk of street crime is very similar, often consisting of mobile phones or handbags being snatched whilst they are used in the street, and this can happen almost anywhere. Fairly simple precautions can often prevent this type of crime. Try to avoid using your mobile phone in the street, and make sure you phone is security marked, and that you are in a position to contact your service provider with the IMEI number ( press *#06# ), so that it can be remotely disabled. If you are carrying a bag, carry it in the hand furthest from the road, or tightly under your arm. This will make it harder for a thief to run or ride alongside you and snatch it. Ideally, keep your house and vehicle keys separate from the bag.

I have also attached a newsletter from the ward officers based at Trinity Road and Tooting. This first edition covers several wards; subsequent ones will be based on individual wards

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Click the logo to get the Ward Officers' newsletter (325k)

Item added 5th March 2006
FROM EMAIL FROM WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 23rd February 2006:

The files attached below have reports on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included).

Message from Steve Selby, Community Safety Unit
Please be aware that there are a number of people, posing as workers from Age Concern, calling on elderly and/or vulnerable people and stealing from them after being allowed inside. In particular a white male, aged 30- 40, 5'5" - 5' 8" in height, well spoken, who claims to be arranging for the fitting of closed circuit TV cameras. Please pass this on to anyone you consider might benefit from the information

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Item added 19th February 2006
FROM EMAIL FROM WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 9th February 2006:

The files attached below have reports on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included). This week there was a mugging in our street in the early hours of Sunday 12th Feb.

Message from Steve Selby, Community Safety Unit
There are still far too many cases of people gaining entry to houses after posing as gas or electricity meter readers, or after claiming to be sorting out water leaks, then stealing property. Most supply companies operate a password scheme which ensures that the caller at your door is genuine. If you or a friend are worried that you might become a victim of this, contact you supplier for details.
EDF Energy, for instance, which deals with London Electricity customers, can be contacted on their free telephone number, 0800 096 9000, which is open 24 hours a day. They will arrange a password for you, and can also supply a very useful booklet, detailing other services to ensure your safety. The booklet can also be downloaded from www.london-energy.com/showPage.do?name=homeenergy.priorityservices.til .

British Gas have a similar system, the Home Energy Care Register, and they can be contacted on 0845 955 5404 (local rate), Textphone 0845 955 5502 (local rates).
Thames Water can be contacted on 0845 9200 800, Minicom 0845 7200 898 to check the identity of callers.

One quick and easy check is to ask for your meter number, before allowing them access. A genuine reader should be able to supply that to you easily.
(This does depend on you finding out your own meter number in advance).
Always keep the telephone number of the various companies easily accessible, in case they are needed for verification Police

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Item added 11th February 2006
FROM EMAIL FROM WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 9th February 2006:

The files attached below have reports on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included).

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (110k)

Item added 11th February 2006
FROM EMAIL FROM WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 2nd February 2006:

The files attached below have reports on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included).

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (108k)

Item added 29th January 2006
FROM EMAIL FROM WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 26th January 2006:

The files attached below have reports on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included).

Message from Steve Selby, Community Safety Unit
The Police have asked us to advise you to be extra careful and cautious when drawing money out from your bank following several incidents of distraction robbery. The criminals, who are working in pairs, are going into banks and watching and listening for people who are withdrawing large amounts of money. They then follow the victim out of the bank and approach them saying that they have a mark or stain on the back of their coat and offer to help clean it off. Whilst being distracted by this person the other one steals the money.

The police have described the criminals as well-dressed, polite Eastern Europeans or South Americans, usually in groups of two or more. People drawing anything from £200 up to £15,000 are being targeted and many of the victims have been elderly people.

How can you help prevent this crime?
* Firstly, if you have to draw out a large sum of money pass a note to the cashier telling them how you would like the money eg. in £20 notes and ask them to put it in a sealed envelope. This means the cashier will not have to ask you how you want the money, making it obvious to anyone that is listening how much you are taking out.

* Make sure before leaving the counter that you put the money in a very safe place - preferably in the inside pocket of your coat. If you can't do that put it in a zipped bag that goes over your shoulder.

* If you need to take out a very large sum of money ask a trusted friend or member of your family to go with you.

* Contact the bank in advance and ask if there is some way that you can draw the money away from the cashier's desk, perhaps from the manager's office.

* Consider whether you need to get cash out at all. Would a cheque or money transfer be more appropriate?

Keyholder registration.
You may not be aware of the keholder registration scheme operating in London.
Remember, if your property has an audible alarm, you are legally obliged under the London Authority Act 1991 to register all key holders with the police. This is the system now used by the Metropolitan Police. You can still use this system even if you do not have an alarm but want to register your key holders.

A key holder database has been set up to enable the police, London boroughs and emergency services to contact your key holders more easily in the event of an incident at your property. Details of every property, with or without an alarm, and those who hold keys to your home can be registered on this database. You can register free or pay for a premium service which allows you to store additional information with them. Free registration is only available to alarmed properties and only by calling 0800 197 7711. Premium registration is available by phone and online.

For details and further information phone the hotline on 0870 060 1212 or visit the website on www.metkeyholders.org.uk

The Watchers
You are probably aware of the theft of part of the bronze statue, The Watchers, from Roehampton on the night of 10/11 January. If you have any information, please call the police dealing with the theft on 0207 230 2150 . It was very large and heavy, probably needing up to eight people to move it. There have been about twenty similar thefts around London in recent months. There are a number of statues around the borough, any of which would now appear to be vulnerable. Please report any suspicious activity near any of them, using the 999 system.

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Item added 21st January 2006
FROM EMAIL FROM WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 19th January 2006:

The files attached below have reports on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included).

Message from Steve Selby, Community Safety Unit
Please take extra care when travelling home, especially if going by Tube.
We have had several reports of people being followed when leaving Clapham South Tube station, and subsequently being robbed. Please keep to well lit areas, and if possible walk with a companion. Also consider carrying a personal alarm, available from locksmiths and larger DIY stores, which may get you some assistance if you are attacked.

Further to last week's information that the Putney police shop had closed, I am pleased to say that it has now re-opened, following discussions between the police and the council. The new hours will be Monday to Friday from 11am to 2pm and Saturday from 10am to 2pm. It is in Putney High Street, next door to the cinema.

There have been several instances in other parts of London of people claiming to be either police officers or from Help the Aged, who have gained entry and stolen property. Please make sure that the identity of any caller is thoroughly checked.

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Item added 21st January 2006
FROM EMAIL FROM WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 12th January 2006:

The files attached below have reports on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included).

Message from Steve Selby, Community Safety Unit
I am sorry there was no briefing last week; I had a touch of 'flu, but I am fine now, so here is a double set of figures.

A warning for parents. There have been three incidents where children have been approached by two males, possibly in an attempt to abduct them. The first man was described as white, aged 50, 5' 8" in height and bald. He was unshaven, with a rough deep voice, casually dressed and with thick glasses.

The second man was of Asian appearance, aged 25-26, of thin build. He was wearing an England baseball cap and casual clothing, and had a pierced left ear.

Please ensure that your children use well lit routes on their way to and from school, and avoid alleyways and parks. Also warn them about talking to strangers and ensure that they are aware of the dangers.

The police Crime Prevention Centre at Jubilee House, Putney High Street, is unfortunately now closed until further notice owing to shortage of manpower.
They hope to re-open it at some time in the future. In the meantime, crime prevention advice can be obtained from the Metropolitan Police at www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention/ or from the BBC at www.bbc.co.uk/crime/prevention/

There is some good news this week. Wandsworth is now the safest inner London borough. It has the lowest crime rate per head of population, and the second lowest rate of violent crime in inner London. Both vehicle crime (down 15%) and robberies (27% lower than the inner London average), have decreased. Further details are at the council website, at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/Home/MyWandsworth/Pressreleases/newspage_detail
.htm?id=4080

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (83k)