20 Feb Local Crime Update 14/02/2023
Dear Residents
Please find below the crime record for the period from 1st to 14th February 2023.
Very pleased to see no theft from motor vehicle offences in the last fortnight. At the same time, we’ve seen an increase in vehicle interference which shows criminals are still out there. Two thefts of motor vehicles appear to have been thwarted due to vehicle’s having a steering lock. With the criminals seeming to have found a new device which makes Faraday Cases and other metal/tin containers less effective for keeping keys safe, a good old fashioned steering lock is still the best protection in terms of preventing criminals taking your vehicle. Also, a reminder not to leave valuable items in vehicles as these could still be stolen.
Please call 999 whenever you see a crime happening, believe one is about to happen or has just happened. Try to give as accurate a description as possible of suspects, vehicles and direction of travel but DON’T put yourself at risk. Even if suspects fail to gain entry to a vehicle or building, attempting to break in is a crime. Unfortunately, a fair amount of vehicle interferences where suspects fail to open doors are missed as they happen in the dead of night when no one’s around. If you have motion activated CCTV that shows this, please report via 101 or online at https://www.met.police.uk
It is very important to make sure crime is properly reported enabling officers to plan their patrols. If we notice a large amount of crime in a particular area of the Ward, we can put out an intelligence report to make other officers aware. The main purpose of the Bromley Response Teams is to take urgent calls. However, if they get any time when they’re not attending calls, they may be able to carry out patrols in areas experiencing high volumes of crime. This information is often picked up from intelligence reports made by Ward Safer Neighbourhood Officers. By all means inform your neighbours, councillors and Ward Panel members too, but that should be done AFTER informing police and definitely NOT instead of.
On the community engagement side, the next Panel meeting is on Tuesday 28/02/23 at 7.30 pm in the Friends Room, St Mary’s Church, Kingswood Road. We’ll also be holding a “Cuppa with a Copper” Event at Costa Coffee, Westmoreland Road from 10am to 11am on Friday 24/02/23 and a residents’ surgery at Shortlands Library, Shortlands Road on Saturday 11/03/23 from 10am to 11am. Hope to see some of you at these events.
Thanks as always for your help and support.
Adam
Adam CHARLES | PCSO 7572PY | Albemarle House SNT Base
Shortlands Dedicated Ward Officer
SHORTLANDS CRIME RECORD 01/02/2023 – 14/02/2023
Burglary:
- 31/03/23 (reported 01/02/23) Early evening. Downs Hill. House broken into through back door. Untidy search carried out. Nothing appears to have been stolen as house was almost empty as old tenant has moved out and new tenant not moving in for a few week.
- 10/02/23 Mid morning-early evening. Westmoreland Road. Suspect(s) climbed on to balcony of first floor flat. Broke in stealing money, watches and jewellery.
Vehicle Interference:
1. 03/02/23. Late evening. Bromley Road. Suspect lifted cover on victim’s motorcycle and attempted to move it.
Theft:
1. 03/02/23 Mid afternoon-10/02/23 mid afternoon. Beckenham Lane. Gas meter stolen from wall outside empty shop.
Theft of Motor Vehicle:
- 09/02/23 Mid evening. Farnaby Road. Vehicle stolen from driveway.
- 10/02/23. Early evening. Wickham Way. Suspect(s) broke down fences surrounding building site and stole dumper truck.
Criminal Damage:
1. 01/08/23-08/02/23. R
Attempted Burglary:
1. 10/02/23 Late evening- 11/02/23 mid morning. Shortlands Gardens. Door of flat kicked open. Suspect(s) appear to have been startled by victim’s dog and fled.