Distraction burglaries
The most popular
Latest methods are: Calling at the door for parking meter
Message from Barnet Trading standards.
Be on the look out for rogue traders delivering leaflets,
titled ' N E SMITH ' They also call themselves, 'ART - ALL
',
' MAX BUILDERS' and ' ART ALL, BUILDERS AND DECORATORS'.
They are very plausable and persuasive/pushy .
DO NOT GIVE THEM ANY BUSINESS , POLITELY SEND THEM AWAY.
One of the suspects calls himself Neil Smith. Police are
extremely interested in these people re Distraction
burglarys etc.
If you see them or have any information on them contact the
Colindale Burglary squad on 0208 7335854
Car Keys
Please
secrete away car keys (upstairs as opposed to downstairs and
lying on the table/stairs etc).
This is particularly relevant as the holiday season has hit
and people are away for many days with prestige cars openly
on display on driveways.
We have one resident who has now had 3 attempts at the house to get the keys for her Mini.
Owners of high value, desirable and prestige vehicles are
clearly being specifically targeted.
Dogs
The BARK project consists of joint patrols by SNT and RSPCA officers dealing with all issues of dangerous, nuisance or ill treated dogs. To be effective it requires accurate intelligence and tasking.If members have any issues/ sightings regarding the above please let us know at Boroughwatch.
June
Please read this document - it includes useful from the Neighbourhood Watchh team on secufity of buildings.
April
- Counterfeit related activity: Hendon Central area. Bank of England £20 notes in increasing circulation. Several shops and licensed premises already affected. A West Hendon Safer Neighbourhoods circular alerting shops has already gone out locally.
- In addition, on 06/04/08 WHSNT arrested a male selling
counterfeit SONY HC700 cameras.
The detail of DC500 is shown on the underside.
The ploy is to show a good working counterfeit version, then
sell for about £100. 6 were recovered and a male is on Police bail. - There has been a slight increase in shed
burglaries, targetting lawnmowers and tools. Be aware and lock
those sheds. - A flat-back white van with an east-european number plate has been cruising Sunny Gardens/Rd/crescent ostensibly looking for scrap; some stuff including a Calor cylinder has vanished.
- Distraction Burglary: North End Road NW11. It involved 3 young white
March
- Patio Doors: There has been a dramatic rise across the borough in burglaries where patio doors have been forced. If you have them, make sure that when the door is closed that not only the bolts are tripped but the key is turned as well.
- Burglary series in NW4: Information from the West Hendon Safer Neighbourhood Team - Suspect : Male, black, a/a 35 years old, F6\'00\" to F6\'O2\", wearing grey bottoms and a hoody top.
- Pattern of sheds and other external storage areas in the same area being broken into. Padlocks etc. being cut off to gain entry. Tools and garden electrical items stolen.
- Tyre-slashing is on the increase. Police have been asked to step up night patrols.
- Alley-gating is a proven DIY scheme to enhance security, whereby gates are erected in the alley to prevent un-authorised access. There is nothing a burglar likes more than unseen or unhindered entry to a potential target. Barnet Council has advice on alley-gating on their site.
February
- In reference to a Daily Mail article that claimed Neighbourhood Watch scenes were 'policing on the cheap', Paul Hammond, our borough co-ordinator has stated categorically: "Barnet Boroughwatch will never ask you to spy on your
- Rogue Traders: 2 males with Irish accents with a white van seemed to attempt a building scam in
- The next day they were stopped by police in Golders Green and identified. Although no offences were disclosed we now know who they are.
- There are car thieves and opportunists regularly active in this area. Cars are getting searched and even broken into. Please both do not leave valuables in your car, and report anything you feel suspicious. Feb 10
January 2008
- There were two burglaries in
- A quantity of Anglian Water uniforms have been stolen from the Market Harborough/Northamptonshire area. As you will be aware, distraction burglars often use the excuse that they need to check a water supply in order to gain access to people's homes. Once inside they will quickly locate and steal cash and valuables before leaving.
- More specifically to the previous message, one of our members had a call from a man claiming to be from Thames Water, and requesting access to test the quality of tap water. Please ask for the name and a card number, and then ring 0845 920 0 800. They might offer another number, which simply might connect to a friend of accompanies. See more at:
- A second member of our group has been approached by a bogus Thames Water representative. Please warn your neighbours too. Thames Water offer helpful advice and a sticker - please click on links. Jan 9th
December 2007
- Stop unwanted mail and unwanted phone calls: register with the Mail and Telephone Preference Services. Write to them at FREEPOST 29 LON20771, LONDON W1E OZT, phone on 0845 703 4599 or go on-line to TPS.
[I have used these services for many years; there has been a considerable drop in junk mail and phone calls; it doesn't stop them entirely, but cuts back on UK and EU junk sources - Phil] - Lucky winners?:
a Neighbourhood Watch member in East
Finchley received a letter informing her that she was a "lucky" prize winner. Of course the prize would be released after phoning an 090 number. Please be advised that 090 is a premium phone line and calls can cost £1 per minute.
An extremely useful website hosted by the telephone oversight body is PhonepayPlus.
You can check out phone numbers on this site as well as looking at the latest scams and warnings. - Crime: Our area has seen an unfortunate amount of car crime over the past month. The seems to be a worse problem of Friday evenings. The basic advice is not to leave anything valuable in in your vehicle and if you do, hide it out of sight. Please do report anything you feel is suspicious, if not to the Police, then to Daniel!
- Neighbourhood Watch signs: Daniel has put up a few NW signs. These compliment others still up from previous schemes.
Latest newsletter here: 
Neighbourhood Watch is a partnership where people come together to make their communities safer. It involves the Police, Community Safety departments of local authorities, other voluntary organisations and, above all, individuals and families 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, accurate reporting of suspicious incidents to the police and by fostering a community spirit.