03 Aug Latest Ward Crimes 19 July – 1 August 2026
Dear Residents,
Please find below the crime record for the period from 19 July to 1 August 2026.
Very pleasing to see no thefts of motor vehicle over the last fortnight. More worrying to see an attempted fraud of the type that was very common a few years ago with the victim being told by the Bank they needed to send a courier to collect their card due to fraudulent activity. Fortunately the victim told her daughter who was able to step in and prevent it.
Also concerned that 999 wasn’t called when two men were caught on a driveway filling their bag with builder’s tools.
Everyone needs to remember that attempted burglary is as much a crime as burglary and events like these give us the best chance of catching suspects. Further details of both offences are in the crime record below.
Over the last few days we’ve seen an increase in alcohol theft across the Ward. Over the next week I’ll be trying to visit shops on the Ward that sell alcohol and offering crime prevention advice.
On the community engagement side I hope to visit the Community Café at St Mary’s Church this Wednesday (05/08/26).
We’ll be holding “Cuppa With A Copper” sessions at Costa Coffee, Westmoreland Road on:
- Friday 07/08/26 from 10am to 11am
& - Thursday 13/08/26 from 4pm to 5pm
The next Ward panel meeting will be on Tuesday 18/08/26 at 7.30 pm. The venue will be the Friends Room at St Mary’s Church, Kingswood Road.
Look forward to seeing some of you at these events. Thanks as always for your help & support.
Kind Regards
Adam Charles
PCSO 7572 SN
Shortlands & Park Langley Safer Neighbourhood Team
Shortlands Crime Record 19/07/26-01/08/26
Theft:
- 23/07/25 Mid afternoon. Brabourne Rise. Handbag snatched by suspect riding past in electric bike.
- 27/07/26 Westmoreland Road. Mid afternoon. Bottles of drink stolen from off licence.
- 30/07/26 Beckenham Lane. Early afternoon. Alcohol stolen from off licence. Shopworker assaulted.
- 01/08/26 Beckenham Lane. Early afternoon. Alcohol stolen from off licence
Burglary:
- 01/11/25-24/07/25 Bromley Crescent. Several pieces of valuable artwork have gone missing during this period. Victim is an elderly bedridden lady who sometimes lends paintings to galleries & also has photographers visiting on occasions to photograph her collection. No sign of forced entry. Possible victim’s forgotten where they are.
- 29/07/26 Early morning (attempted). Malmains Way. Suspects tore down wooden fence to enter building site & filled bag with tools. Fortunately the occupant spotted them, shouted at them & they fled. Unfortuntely the victim did not call 999. Remember always call 999 if you catch someone in the act.
Attempted Fraud:
- 26/07/26 St Mary’s Avenue. Victim received call from someone claiming to be from Nat West Bank saying that someone had cloned their card & tried to use it in Harrods. They said they would need to send a courier round to collect the card. The person claiming to be from the bank called back several times. Fortunately between calls the victim spoke to her daughter & mentioned what had happened. The victim’s daughter realised something wasn’t right & came over to her mother’s house. She answered the next call & said not to send the courier as her mother would not be handing over the card. The person claiming to be from Nat West agreed to cancel the courier but appeared annoyed. Police were then called & a unit attended to take the report. Remember your bank or the police would never ask you to do this.
Theft from Motor Vehicle:
- 28/07/26 Mid morning. Suspect broke into van by drilling through lock. Several battery chargers stolen.
- 31/07/26 Early morning. Shortlands Grove. Window smashed. Centre of steering wheel & airbag stolen. May have been trying to steal vehicle. Black Porsche 911