Police and council officials meet to discuss work on crime prevention

Police warnings of a crime increase with the advent of the dark winter evenings have been borne out by the latest local figures, which show a forty per cent rise in crimes ranging from burglaries to thefts from vehicles in Chiswick.

In the Homefields ward there were there 56 crimes recorded in a two-week period, a 40% increase on the 40 crimes in the last reporting period. Three of the five burglaries reported were residential, usually where burglars gained access from windows which had been left unlocked.

Teams from the police, Hounslow Council and Hounslow Highways were out in force across the borough last week as part of a blitz on grime crime, burglary, drug dealing, illegal immigration and anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Sue Sampson, cabinet member for economic development and communities, was in Chiswick to see police officers patrolling the area after intelligence suggested the area was vulnerable to burglary. The police officers were joined by a Hounslow Highways street scene crew looking for fly-tips and rubbish on the streets.

Cllr Sampson said: “There is a link between high levels of litter and crime which is why we are taking a two-pronged approach to both.  

Another warning was made recently for residents across the borough not to leave car or house keys on a table near their front door as there has been an increase in ' letterbox' theft, where criminals use an implement to reach through the letterbox to 'hook' keys and even handbags or wallets.

There were fourteen thefts from motor vehicles in the same two week period, in Homefields, again an increase on figures which had started to show a downturn.

"We have seen an increase in rear windows being smashed and property removed form the boot. Electronic devices, if you have to put them in the boot, have a good look round to make sure you are not being watched and also turn your blue tooth off to make your phone ‘undiscoverable", said a police spokesperson.

Three simple actions should help deter these types of criminals - Light it, Lock it, List it.
Light it:
• Make sure your house looks occupied even when it isn’t. Use an automatic timer switch to turn interior lights on and off.
• Leave a TV or Radio on inside your property.
• Install movement sensitive security lighting as a deterrent on the outside of your property.
Lock It:
• Fit window locks and ensure French windows and patio doors are secure.
• Never leave door keys, car keys or other valuables in reach of a letterbox or window.
• Secure your garage and shed too – equipment kept in a garage or shed can be just as tempting for a burglar.
• Side entrances should be secured with lockable gates.
• If you can, install a burglar alarm and set it every time you leave your home.
List it:
• Register your property on the Immobilise website – it’s free of charge and can increase your chances of being reunited with your property.

November 26, 2014