Author: Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association

Neighbourhood Watch is a partnership where everyone comes together to make their communities safer. It involves Police, Local Authorities, other voluntary organisations and, above all, individuals who want to make their neighbourhoods better places to live. It aims to help people protect themselves and their properties and to reduce the fear of crime by means of improved home security, greater vigilance, reporting of suspicious incidents and by fostering a community spirit. It relies on unpaid volunteers at all levels of the organisation and is always looking for more volunteers to fill the many gaps, particularly at local level. Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association has over 600 Coordinators serving the local community and our objectives are: To help prevent crime by improving security, increasing vigilance, creating and maintaining a caring community and reducing opportunities for crime by increasing crime prevention awareness. To assist Police in detecting crime by promoting effective communication and the prompt reporting of suspicious and criminal activity. To reduce undue fear of crime by providing accurate information about risks and by promoting a sense of security and community spirit, particularly amongst the more vulnerable members of the community

Fraud Alert

What you need to know

Action Fraud have received an increase in reports and intelligence where elderly victims are being targeted by individuals purporting to be police officers or traffic wardens. The victims are being approached whilst parked in a car park and are told by the suspect that they have parked illegally or broken a speed limit and a photo has been taken of their car for ‘evidence’.

Victims are advised that they will face a substantial penalty fine unless they pay a smaller upfront fee immediately. Victims, who opt for paying the smaller penalty, will be directed to a parking meter and asked to enter their card and PIN. These parking meters have been tampered with by the suspect in order to retain the card.

Once the victim inserts their card and are asked for their PIN, the victims are shoulder surfed for their PIN by the suspect. Once victims input their PIN, the card is retained by the machine and victims are told by the suspect to seek help from the company who operates the parking meter or their bank.

What you need to do

  • If you are suspicious about the authenticity of the fine, do not pay it until you have verified it with your local council.
  • Always shield your PIN from view when using an ATM machine, and never share your PIN with anyone.
  • If your bank card is retained by an ATM machine, contact your bank immediately to inform them.

Rogue Traders


Help needed to identify rogue traders targeting Shortlands (Bromley)

Published Monday, 11 February 2019

Residents are being asked to contact Bromley council’s Trading Standards team following a doorstep crime incident in the Shortlands area.

Information about the current location of a distinctive truck believed to be used by the perpetrators is being sought. This vehicle is believed to be involved in two incidents of doorstep crime and is being described as a white four door open back truck, with its most distinctive features being a green coloured surround and a red coloured cage at the back of the cab.

Residents are being reminded not to respond to people on their doorstep, especially those who call unexpectedly wanting to carry out unnecessary property repairs or garden work. Anyone with any information, in particular a registration plate or the whereabouts of this vehicle, is asked to report it to Bromley Council’s Trading Standards team. Call the Rapid Response number in confidence on 07903 852090.

Councillor Kate Lymer, Executive Councillor for Public Protection and Enforcement said “Do you have any information that can help with this investigation? We would like to urgently talk to the driver of this vehicle. If you have any information about this, call our Trading Standards Team.”

Councillor Lymer added “Unfortunately there are individuals who are untrustworthy and prepared to take advantage of others. Please be extremely cautious on the doorstep and do not be taken in by these individuals. If you know someone who may be seen as older or vulnerable, please take time to draw this sad incident to their attention. Hopefully together, we can help prevent future incidents from happening. We will always investigate reports of rogue traders participating in doorstep crime, seeking to protect residents and consumers.”

The appeal for information follows two doorstep crime incidents which occurred in Shortlands on Monday 28 January 2019 at around 11am. In both cases, vulnerable residents were cold called by a man claiming to be working in the area and had noticed roof tiles that had slipped into the gutter. In the first case no work was carried out. In the second incident minor work was done, with the resident being grossly overcharged. The driver and vehicle are still at large and anyone with information is being urged to contact the Bromley Trading Standards team.

Visit our www.bromley.gov.uk/tradingstandards to find advice and information about avoiding doorstep crime.

ENDS


For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Executive, on 020 8461 7670 or email andrew.rogers@bromley.gov.uk

#itsnotok

It’s not ok to have to deal with sexual abuse or sexual violence. It’s not ok to suffer in silence. It’s not ok to have to deal with it on your own

#ITSNOTOK

It’s not ok to have to deal with sexual abuse or sexual violence. It’s not ok to suffer in silence. It’s not ok to have to deal with it on your own.

Londoners are being asked to come together and help to ensure that anyone who may be suffering with sexual abuse or sexual violence understands that they are not alone and should not have to suffer in silence. Whether you wish to report to police or not, there are always people on hand to listen and support you. There are a number of charities and organisations who can provide guidance and support to any victims.

Today sees the start of the 4th annual #ITSNOTOK campaign – a national sexual abuse and sexual violence awareness week. We are supporting this awareness week through a series of videos on our social media channels, including featuring various officers and staff from across the organisation reading out statements of empowerment and interviews with two brave survivors who have come forward to share their stories, talk about their experiences coming forward and explain how speaking up has changed their lives for the better.

It is hoped that this content will help to give those who may be suffering sexual abuse the courage and confidence to come forward and report it to police or other agencies that support victims of sexual abuse and violence. You can watch these videos as they are issued throughout the week on our Twitter page @metpoliceuk

If you or anyone you know is a victim of sexual abuse or sexual violence, please talk to someone. Police and other charities are also here to help.

Anyone who does wish to report sexual abuse or violence to police can do so by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency, or by visiting a police station. More information can be found at www.met.police.uk

We are supporting ITS NOT OK, a sexual abuse and sexual violence awareness week which runs from 4th-10th February. Find out more by visiting: http://sexualabuseandsexualviolenceawarenessweek.org/

Join the conversation – speak up, speak out.

Met Police campaign video (Facebook)

https://www.facebook.com/BromleyNeighbourhoodWatch/

Neighbourhood Watch in the news

Neighbourhood Watch in the news.

Please note the links below to a press release from Neighbourhood Watch Network about portrayals of our volunteers in the media. 

It does a good job of challenging perceptions about Neighbourhood Watch and was featured on the front page of the Times.  The Daily Mail also picked up the story featuring the “Terrorism” crime prevention toolkit.  The headline may be a tad sensationalist but it makes the point about the work we all do.

We understand the BBC and Sunday Times are keen to do a follow up later in the week and the chairman at NWN is busy doing radio interviews. 

Links:

https://www.ourwatch.org.uk/stop-stereotyping-neighbourhood-watch-volunteers-as-parochial-busy-bodies/

https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/b73d7690-2805-11e9-a92b-e57f23e07fe4

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6664829/Neighbourhood-Watch-insists-2-3m-members-frontline-fighting-ISIS-human-trafficking.html

Kind regards,

Bromley Neighbourhood Watch Association

Don’t let burglars ruin your Xmas

Don’t give burglars your presents this Xmas

Even as we plan a perfect Xmas, burglars could be planning to ruin it.

Bromley Police and Neighbourhood Watch volunteers are working hard to reduce burglaries on the Borough. However it is not possible to prevent every offence from occurring. If you are a victim of burglary, below are some actions you can take to improve the chances of catching the suspect and bringing them to justice.

* Remember to always report to Police as soon as possible. Use 101 for non-emergency reporting or 999 if it is an emergency.

* Establish if objects have been moved. Have any drawers or cupboards been opened? List where these items are and try to keep them untouched for when Police attend.

* Try to find the place of entry and exit used by the burglar. Try to keep this area untouched. Are there any footprints? If you find a route you think was used, try to find another route to use yourself so as not to disturb evidence.

* Has anything been eaten or drunk out of? Are there discarded cigarettes or tools? If so, note where and let officers know when they attend.

* If you feel comfortable, make enquiries with neighbours. Did they see or hear anything? Try to find a time of the incident and any other specific details to pass on to officers.

* If you believe they have been stolen, cancel bank debit/credit cards.

* Think back over the past few days. Has anyone been hanging around, acting suspiciously? The smallest piece of information can help identify a suspect.

* If you saw the suspect and think you would recognise them again, tell the reporting officer so they can give you the opportunity to identify them.

* You will be asked to make a statement so think of all relevant details the officer may need to help progress the investigation.

* Please let us know whether you have any special requirements i.e. you are disabled or feel particularly vulnerable.

We hope you are never in a position where you need to take this advice. However, if it does happen to you we hope it will assist you.

For further advice on Burglary prevention please go to www.met.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/residential-burglary/