Item added 23rd October 2004
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT, WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 21st Oct 2004:

The file attached below has the week's report on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included in these reports). There was an attempted burglary in our road this week, others nearby and a street robbery in Southcroft Road.

Message from Steve Selby,
Wandsworth Council Community Safety Division:

You may remember that some time ago I warned you about people purporting to be from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister calling from door to door and asking to inspect the precautions taken following the issue of the booklet "Preparing for Emergencies". I understand that they are still at it in various places around the borough. They are NOT genuine, and a gentle warning to any vulnerable neighbours may be appropriate, and may save them from becoming a victim of distraction burglary.

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (75k)

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 16th October 2004
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT, WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 14th Oct 2004:

The file attached below has the week's report on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included in these reports).

Message from Steve Selby,
Wandsworth Council Community Safety Division:

Inspector Mullins would like to invite you to meet your new ward officer at the Fairlight Christian Centre, Fairlight Road, on Wednesday 20th October, at 7pm. No need to book, just drop in!

Battersea Crime Prevention Panel would like you to attend the Battersea Police Ball on Thu 25th November. Tickets £37.50. To be sent full details please email Hillside@andysteele.com and I'll reply with the advert and ticket application form.

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (79k)

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 10th October 2004
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT, WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 7th Oct 2004:

The file attached below has the week's report on burglary and street crime - including a nasty mugging in Welham Road (note that car crimes are not included in these reports).

Message from Steve Selby,
Wandsworth Council Community Safety Division:

Age Concern are now able to offer a crime reporting service, particularly for the over 50's, who may be reluctant to contact the police station direct. Full details are on the attached flyer (186k).

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (76k)

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 3rd October 2004
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT, WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 29th Sept 2004:

The file attached below has the week's report on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included in these reports).

Message from Steve Selby,
Wandsworth Council Community Safety Division:

Here is this week's crime briefing. You may notice that there seems to be an increase in burglaries of flats, where the burglar are getting past the communal door, and then have plenty of time to attack individual flat doors. If you live in such a property, please ensure that both you and your neighbours secure the outer door properly each time you leave. If you have any doubts about the security of the door, consult a locksmith, who should be able to advise you on the correct sort of lock. Also, make sure that anyone moving out of the block returns their key, and that there are not a lot of spare keys in circulation.

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (79k)

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 26th Sept 2004
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT, WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 22nd Sept 2004:

The file attached below has the week's report on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included in these reports).

Message from Steve Selby,
Wandsworth Council Community Safety Division:

Trading standards officers are warning residents to be on their guard against itinerant roofers and builders who are operating in the borough.The council received reports about these traders recently from people living in Battersea. They have been 'cold-calling' on people offering to carry out roofing or chimney repairs. Quotes given for this work have ranged from £600 to £3,500, while some residents have been offered discounts if they pay in cash.

People are being warned that these travelling traders often carry out very poor standards of workmanship - or end up charging vastly more than they originally quote. Many are known to target older people and those who are vulnerable. They con their victims by providing low quotes for work and then hiking up the price once the work's begun.

Rogue workmen have been known to demand large sums of money - for relatively simple and straightforward jobs. Often they will escort their victims to banks or building societies and pressure them into withdrawing their savings.

Neighbourhood watch co-ordinators in the borough are being advised to pass on the warnings to people to be extremely wary about traders who knock on doors offering to carry out such work.

The council's trading standards team is also offering the following advice:

• Anyone who is 'cold-called' by such traders should decline the offer.
• Do not agree to any work where the caller says: "We are only in the area today".
• Do not agree to anyone carrying out any work until you have got a second opinion that the work need to be done.
• If work is necessary then get at least two quotes from reputable tradesmen.
• Do not keep large sums of money in the house. Keep wallets and purses out of sight, and do not leave them near the front door.
• Do not let the trader into your house. If possible use a window when answering a knock on the door, rather than opening the door.
• If you are approached by a trader offering to do such work report it immediately to trading standards officers on (020) 8871 7720. In an emergency contact the police by dialling 999.
• Wherever possible people should make a note of the make and registration number of any vehicles used by the traders.
  

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (78k)

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 18th Sept 2004
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT, WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 15th Sept 2004:

The file attached below has the week's report on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included in these reports).

Message from Steve Selby,
Wandsworth Council Community Safety Division:

We have had a couple of success stories this week. In the first a man in Tooting posed as an electricity board official and was asked for identification. He showed a card, but would not allow the potential victim to examine it, so was refused entry. This almost certainly prevented a crime.

In the second incident, in Wandsworth, a man was allowed in after posing as a water board employee. However, when the occupier spotted his accomplice letting himself in, both were ejected. Another crime prevented!!

This type of crime is extremely distressing to the victim, who is usually elderly and female. They are often too embarassed to report the incident as they feel they may appear foolish, and there are undoubtedly many more crimes happening than are reported to the police. If you know of any incidents of this nature, please ensure that the police are told, as even the smallest bit of information can help to stop it happening again.

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (82k)

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 12th Sept 2004
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT, WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 8th Sept 2004:

The file attached below has the week's report on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included in these reports).

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (77k)

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 6th Sept 2004
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT, WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 1st Sept 2004:

The file attached below has the week's report on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included in these reports).

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (82k)

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 Aug 2004
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT, WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 25th August 2004:

The file attached below has the week's report on burglary (note that car crimes are not included in these reports).

Message from Steve Selby,
Wandsworth Council Community Safety Division:

There are only burglaries shown this week; the street crime figure have been held over until next week.

Thank you to all those who responded concerning the con-woman in last week's briefing. The information has been passed to the police. If you know oif any similar crimes, please let the police know at once.

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (73k)

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 21st Aug 2004
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT, WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 18th August 2004:

The file attached below has the week's report on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included in these reports).

This week a home in our street was burgled. The burglar forced the front door on Monday 16th Aug between noon and 4.45pm and stole items. Did you notice anything on the day? If so please CLICK HERE

Message from Steve Selby,
Wandsworth Council Community Safety Division:

Once again, we have had a lot of burglaries where entry was through an open door or window. In the last week a quarter of all burglaries across the borough were made easy in this way. Please warn your neighbours.

If you are going on holiday, please make it harder for a thief while you are away.

• Fit mortise locks or bolts to all outside doors, and locks to all downstairs or easily accessible windows.
• Make sure your home looks like someone is living in it. Don’t close your curtains – in daytime this shows the house is empty. Think about getting automatic time-switches to turn your lights on when it goes dark
• Cancel any milk or newspaper deliveries.
• Cut the lawn before you go and trim back any plants that burglars could hide behind.
• Get a friend or neighbour to look after your home. They can collect your mail, mow your lawn and so on. This gives the impression that someone is living in your home. If you leave keys with a neighbour, don’t label them with your address.
• Don’t leave valuables, like your TV, hi-fi or video, where people can see them through windows.
• Mark any valuable items with your postcode and house number using an ‘invisible’ pen that you can get from DIY shops. If your property is stolen, this will help the police to identify it if it is found, which might not only allow them to return it to you but could also provide them with better evidence to convict the people responsible.
• Make sure that you have up-to-date contents insurance.
• Do not put your home address on your luggage when you are travelling to your holiday destination.
• Lock the garage and shed with proper security locks, after putting all your tools safely away so they cannot be used to break into your house. If you have to leave a ladder out, put it on its side and lock it to a secure fixture with a ‘close shackle’ padlock or heavy-duty chain.
• Finally, lock all outside doors and windows. If you have a burglar alarm, make sure it is set and that you have told the police who has the key.

We have had a rather unpleasant incident involving a young woman, who knocked on a door in Putney saying that her mother was dying, and asking for money for a taxi so that she could go to see her. She was given money on this occasion by the elderly victim. She later came back, saying that her mother had died and asking for more money, this time for the death certificate. This was refused. Unfortunately, we do not have a description of her.

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (78k)

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 14th Aug 2004
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT, WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 11th August 2004:

The file attached below has the week's report on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included in these reports).

Message from Steve Selby,
Wandsworth Council Community Safety Division:

We are still having a very large number of burglaries reported where the thief's task was made easier, because the windows or doors were left open, sometimes with the house or flat totally unoccupied. It is rather like handing it to them on a plate. This is not just during the day, however, as there are still quite a few where the burglars are coming in at night. Whilst this is unusual for most of the year, the figures always go up in the summer. In the past week we have had several instances of the burglar being seen when they inadverantly woke up an occupier, who had gone to sleep with the windows (or, in some cases, the door) left open.

Could I ask you again to keep your eyes open, and warn any of your neighbours who don't seem aware of the problem?

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (80k)

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 7th Aug 2004
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT, WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 4th August 2004:

The file attached below has the week's report on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included in these reports).

Message from Steve Selby,
Wandsworth Council Community Safety Division:

During the past week we have had quite a lot of burglaries in the borough where the thief entered through an open window. Whilst we have got this hot weather, please be careful that you shut and lock all doors and windows when leaving home.

Night-time burglaries are normally fairly infrequent, but at this time of year they increase dramatically, because everyone likes to sleep with the window open, which is tempting for thieves. Some windows can be locked partially open; whilst this is not a good idea when away from home, it does make the burglars entry much harder and noisier at night. You could also consider either bars (which are a little unsightly) or a lockable sliding grille, especially on ground floor or basement windows. You might also like to invest in a few prickly cacti for the windowsill, which are not fool proof, but may give you some warning if a thief tries to enter.

We are still getting the odd burglary where they are coming in through an open door with the occupants still around the house or in the garden. Please take care, and also warn your neighbours, particularly those you consider most vulnerable.

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (82k)

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 7th Aug 2004
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT, WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 28th July 2004:

The file attached below has the week's report on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included in these reports).

Please don't forget to secure windows and doors in the warm weather - locks can be obtained which lock windows ajar so they provide ventilation, but prevent burglars climbing or reaching through.

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (68k)

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 7th Aug 2004
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT, WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 21st July 2004:

The file attached below has the week's report on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included in these reports). Many more burglaries than recently again this week.

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (69k)

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 7th Aug 2004
FROM EMAIL FROM WATCHLINK UNIT, WANDSWORTH COUNCIL:
Tooting & Balham Crime Report - 14th July 2004:

The file attached below has the week's report on burglary and street crime (note that car crimes are not included in these reports). Burglaries are on the increase - perhaps due to people leaving windows open in warm weather.

Click the logo to get this week's full crime report (68k)

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