Item added 6th May 2002
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT:
Balham & Tooting Crime Update 2nd May:

STREET CRIME
This week has been a better week than last with fewer offences in this category being reported. However there were still seven robberies, two cases in which property was snatched from a victim, and one attempted robbery. Four of the offences took place in Mitcham Road.

1. The first case this week happened in BRIGHTWELL CRESCENT, TOOTING at 1am on Friday 26th April 2002. The unfortunate victim had the mobile phone snatched from his hand whilst he was using it in the street.

2. Later that day, at 8-45pm, in Mitcham Road, a victim was approached by the thieves who demanded he hand over his wristwatch. He was terrified but refused then ran off to rejoin his friends nearby. He was followed and both he and his companions were assaulted.

3. The next day, Saturday 27th April 2002, at 12-27pm, in MITCHAM ROAD SW16 a victim was threatened by a man who stated he had a knife. The thief demanded they hand over a mobile phone and cash. He made eventually ran off with £2 in cash.

4. TOOTING BEC ROAD was the venue for the next robbery. At 11-35pm that evening an assailant tried repeatedly to tug the victim's bag from them. Eventually he succeeded in wrenching it away but was confronted by a bystander, who he threatened with a knife and decamped.

Robbers were particularly active on Sunday 28th April 2002:
5. At 1-33am, a robber was active once again in Mitcham Road, TOOTING. On this occasion he knocked his victim to the ground and stole her shoulder bag before running off.

6. Robbers struck in broad daylight near BALHAM HIGH ROAD, SW12 at 11-30am. This time they approached their victim from the opposite side of the road and intimidated their victim into handing over his wallet.

7. A victim was forced to hand over his watch and cash to robbers in BLACKSHAW ROAD at 8pm.

8. At 11-55pm, at Southcroft Road, Tooting, personal property was snatched from a pedestrian.

9. The shopping centre in MITCHAM ROAD was once again the location for yet another robbery at 4pm on Monday 29th April 2002. On this occasion suspects punched and pushed their victim to the ground whilst trying to take his briefcase from him. They fled empty handed.

10. Fortunately all was quiet on Tuesday but robbers struck once again on Wednesday 1st May 2002, in LOUISVILLE ROAD, BALHAM. At 11-10pm a stranger approached a lone female pedestrian and threatened to assault her if she did not hand over property.

BURGLARY
Sixteen burglaries were reported in the Balham and Tooting areas this week. At least four of these could have been avoided. In each of these instances doors had been left open, allowing thieves to walk in and steal. Please remember with the onset of warmer weather premises can be more vulnerable. Close and lock all windows and doors whenever premises or rooms are vacated, even just for a few minute.

The crimes are listed by date. In all cases property was taken unless otherwise stated.

Tuesday 25th April 2002.
1. At 8pm, premises used for religious purposes in Balham High Road were broken in to and items removed.

Wednesday 26th April 2002.
1. A suspect climbed into the garden of a semi-detached house in HESLOP ROAD at 6-45pm, removed a ladder from an outhouse to gain access to a bedroom window. Having stolen property he exited by the same route. This crime can be prevented if householders make sure ladders are locked to something immovable.

2. At 10-20pm a terraced house in FIRCROFT ROAD was broken into by a thief who smashed a window.

Thursday 27th April 2002
1. A house in ROSSITER ROAD was the scene of the next offence. At 11-00am someone forced a window lock to enter.

2. A surgery in Garratt Lane was entered after the intruder had climbed on a flat roof to gain access.

3. Non-domestic premises in BROADWATER ROAD were entered after a window grille had been forced to gain access.

Friday 28th April 2002
1. Someone left a window open in premises on the ground floor of premises in FONTENOY ROAD, BALHAM. This allowed thieves access to steal a computer.

Saturday 29th April 2002
1. Occupants of a flat in GARRATT LANE, TOOTING were more fortunate. Although someone forced an entry no property was stolen.

2. The same cannot be said for the occupants of a flat in Tooting High Street after someone broke in through the front door and stole property.

3. The occupants of a flat in CULVERDEN ROAD had items stolen when a thief gained access through the front door.

4. A confidence trickster posed as a gas repair man at about 1-00pm to gain access to a flat and commit a burglary in a block in WEST DRIVE SW16.

Sunday 30th April 2002
1. At 10-30am a thief walked through the unlocked front door of a flat in a terraced house in DINSMORE ROAD to steal property.

2. Just a little further up BALHAM HIGH ROAD in CATHLES ROAD, someone left the keys in the front door for the burglars to let themselves in to steal property.

3. The front door of a flat in BEDFORD HILL was forced to gain access and steal property at about 1-00pm this day.

4. Flats seem to have been hit heavily this week, this time in VANT ROAD, when intruders smashed the front door.

Monday 1st May 2001
Finally this week a break in occurred to a room in a multiple occupancy dwelling in SPALDING ROAD.

If you have information on the above incidents - CLICK HERE

For local places to get Crime Prevention Advice - CLICK HERE

Information on crime in other parts of Wandsworth can be found under ‘crime bulletins’ on www.wandsworth.gov.uk

Item added 29th April 2002
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT:
Conmen Pose As Builders:

Trading standards officers are warning local residents, particularly the elderly, to be on their guard against crooked builders who are believed to be targeting the borough. The council is advising residents to never agree to have any repairs carried out by workmen who call on homes unannounced.

The warning comes after a pensioner in Tooting was nearly cheated out of £23,000 by two conmen posing as builders. They called on the 72-year-old man and told him his roof needed repairing. Having gained the pensioner's confidence, they then proceeded to find more serious "problems" with his roof, which they said would cost £23,000 to fix. They even removed some perfectly good roof tiles to convince the pensioner the repairs were necessary.

Their cruel con-trick was only foiled when the pensioner's quick thinking bank manager became suspicious when the OAP arrived at his branch and tried to withdraw £20,000. When manager Rob Clark of the Halifax in Tooting was told what was happening he realised that the pensioner was being swindled and urged him not to pay anything until the work had been completed. He also got the pensioner's permission to contact the council's trading standards office. After being alerted by Mr Clark, trading standards officers immediately went to the pensioner's home hoping to catch the conmen red-handed but they had gone. Officers believe they fled the scene when they realised their ruse had been rumbled. Fortunately the OAP was able to cancel a cheque for £3,000 that he had given the men.

Further enquiries by trading standards officers revealed that two other pensioners in another London borough are thought to have been cheated by the same men for a similar amount. Once the money had been paid these "builders" were not seen again.

Wandsworth's chief trading standards officer Les Eames said: "The bank manager Mr Clark should be congratulated for his quick reactions in this case, and for tipping us off. We would always advise people to never agree to have work carried out by workmen who tout for business and call at front doors unannounced. If building work is required it is always best to get at least two written quotations beforehand from established and reputable businesses, together with a detailed specification of the works needed. People should also never pay in full until the work is actually completed."

Residents who have doubts about anyone offering them services should contact Wandsworth's trading standards office on 020 8871 7720.

Item added 27th April 2002
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT:
New Mobile Phone Scam:

Everyone please be warned: If you get a phone call on your mobile telephone from any mobile phone provider's 'company engineer' telling you they are doing a check on your phone and that you must press a combination of symbols and numbers....BEWARE.

If this happens END THE CALL IMMEDIATELY without pressing any numbers or symbols.

A fraudulent company has devised a device which, once you have pressed the numbers and symbols, means they can access your SIM CARD and make calls from it at your expense.

Please tell as many people as you can so we can stop this crime...

Item added 27th April 2002
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT:
New Look Police Warrant (ID) Cards:

On The Metropolitan Police Service is introducing a new warrant card that will increase security and deter forgers.

The warrant card, which is the size of a credit card, will be issued to police officers and a new-style office pass will be issued to civil staff. Both feature a number of security and anti-forgery devices.

These include security printing similar to that found on bank notes and markings which will show up under UV light. A holographic image of the MPS crest is also featured. The holder's name, rank and warrant number will be evident and accompanied by a clear digital photograph. To aid the blind and visually impaired with identification, Braille lettering is included under the metal Met Police crest, which is part of the warrant card holder.

The first new of the new warrant cards (pictured) was issued to Commissioner Sir John Stevens when they was launched on Thursday 18 April at New Scotland Yard.

The Commissioner said:
"I am delighted the Met has introduced these new warrant cards and civil staff passes. They are multi-purpose and the digital technology used to create them replaces equipment that is becoming out-of-date and expensive.
"The anti-forgery devices will make the cards more easily recognisable to members of the public and will improve security and counter-terrorism measures in police and public buildings. I would urge all officers and civil staff to wear their new warrant cards and passes when they are issued in order to make full use of the security benefits and to help the public to become familiar with them as quickly as possible."

Item added 27th April 2002
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT:
Crime Bulletin - Week Ending Friday 19th April:

Street Crime

1. On Friday 12th April 2002 at ten past midnight a lady was walking in Rossiter Road, SW12 near to the junction with Cavendish Road, when the occupants of a black Ford Fiesta, registration number K 91 OGN, approached her. The first suspect, described as a white male, 25 years, 5 feet 10 inches tall, of thin build, with short blond hair, wearing a grey T-shirt and dark jacket, snatched her handbag. Another white male, also 25 years of age tried to snatch a laptop but failed and there were two other white males of similar age in the car. The car had been reported as stolen at the time, and is still outstanding now. Do you know where it is?

2. Another snatch took place in Nightingale Lane SW12, near the Elf garage, on Wednesday 17th April 2002 at about half past midnight. The female victim was cycling when a black, medium sized car drew along side her. The passenger leaned out of the window and took her handbag from her front basket. Suspect is described as a stocky white male about 30 years old with very short light coloured hair. The first letter of the registration number is believed to be an S, a Z or an L, and the digits 724. Can you provide the full index?

3. At about 12.30pm on Friday 12th April 2002, a 15-year old schoolboy was approached by three suspects in Boundaries Road SW12, near Chestnut Grove who asked him for a cigarette. One of the suspects punched him in the face and stole his mobile, and all three suspects ran off into Chestnut Grove. The suspects are all described as of Somalian appearance, about 16 years of age. Two were about 6 feet tall and the third, about 5 feet 7 inches.

4. VERY CLOSE TO OUR WATCH AREA THIS!! Three male suspects threatened a young boy at about 5.45pm in Welham Road, SW17, on Saturday 13th April 2002. Having taken the boys' mobile phone the suspects ran off towards Mitcham Lane.
Suspect 1) Black male, 15 years, slim, white hat, red jumper, black jeans, grey mountain bike.
Suspect 2) White male, 15 years, black baseball cap, slim.
Suspect 3) White male, 15 years, slim, black ADIDAS jacket with blue stripes.

Stolen vehicles

The following vehicles have all been stolen recently in Wandsworth Borough.

V 240 FRB - White Vauxhall Corsa
D 312 HUL - Red Suzuki Supercarry van
P 962 SHX - White Piaggio motor scooter
Y 801 DGO - Blue Piaggio motor scooter
W 421 VGF - Black Volkswagen Golf
A 217 UGN - Gold Toyota
Y 277 DGK - Red Piaggio motor scooter

Please remember that the vehicles shown above may have been recovered by police and restored to its lawful owner by the time you read this massage.

Please notify the police control room on 020 7350 1122 if you find it parked and unattended.

Never approach or challenge suspects in possession of a vehicle reported lost or stolen but keep a discreet observation and call the police on 999.

If you have information on the above incidents - CLICK HERE

For local places to get Crime Prevention Advice - CLICK HERE

Information on crime in other parts of Wandsworth can be found under ‘crime bulletins’ on www.wandsworth.gov.uk

Item added 27th April 2002
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT:
Arrest Thanks to Neighbourhood Watch! :

Thanks to some astute work by the Co-ordinator of another Wandsworth Neighbourhood Watch, a thief was detained by Wandsworth Police. You may remember seeing a report here about an 18 year old girl calling at premises in the Borough late in the evening and even in the early hours of the morning saying she lived locally and wanted money to charge-up her electricity key.

On Tuesday 23rd April at 6-30am, she knocked on the door of a person who receives these regular crime bulletins. He was wise to her ploy and sent her away. Having done this he immediately rang the police whilst continuing to observe the caller from an upstairs window.

She was seen to knock on the door of a neighbouring house. The occupier answered and was just about to hand over money when the co-ordinator alerted her to the scam. Shortly afterwards the Police arrived and the trickster was arrested.

It is suspected that this may be one of a number of instances in which money has been 'conned' out of honest citizens by this person. Anyone who has given money recently to an 18 year girl who knocked at the door, said she lived locally, promised to pay the money back later but failed to do so, is asked to contact PC 434WW Darren Hawkes at Wandsworth Police Station. The telephone number to ring is 020 7350 1122.

Finally our congratulations go to the Co-ordinator and the Police for a smart piece of work.