Burglary at Brentford CLC, and more

Neighbourhood Watch's December Newsletter

Burglary at the ‘Brentford City Learning Centre, 5 Boston Manor Road
During the night of Sunday 31st October (Halloween Night), thieves broke into  the Brentford City Learning Centre, 5 Boston Manor Road, (in the grounds of Brentford School for Girls) and stole amongst other items, 11 Apple Mac computers.  Brentford Police would like to hear from any resident(s) who may have seen anyone loading computer equipment into a vehicle in the area of Brentford School for Girls during the night in question.

Festive Season Crime Reminders
The Festive Season is a time of year when crime can increase.  Please do not drop your guard, remain vigilant throughout December and early January to ensure that your own and indeed your neighbours’ Festive Season is not ruined by opportunist and professional criminals. 

Banks, Post Offices, Cash Machines
When visiting banks, post offices and cash machines to withdraw monies for seasonal spending, please make sure you are not being watched and targeted.  Never carry cash and credit cards all in the one place like a purse or a wallet where it is easier for thieves to target.  Place your cash/credit cards around your person so as not to make it easy for thieves.
 
Christmas Wreaths (Attached to Front Doors)
To try and avoid your Christmas Wreath ‘disappearing’ overnight, please attach it securely to your front door.

Pickpockets, Bag Snatchers & Distraction Robberies
Pickpockets and bag snatchers working alone or in teams operate in crowded places.  Be aware of your surroundings, especially in shops, buses, bus queues, bus stations, trains, train stations, pubs/clubs/restaurants and busy High Streets.

And watch out for people edging their way close to you, or who bump into you.

Normally working in teams and sometimes using young children as cover, distraction thieves will target their victim when they see that a hand bag, purse, wallet, or mobile phone has been conveniently placed near the top of a shopping basket.  An accidental knock followed by what appears to be a genuine apology can bring momentary confusion and distraction.  It is only when it is too late that the victim realizes that they have been robbed.  

Burglaries
Please ensure that all windows and doors are closed and secured if you are going out for the evening or coming home late at night.  Always leave a light on to distract burglars. If you are going away for the Festive Period, purchase timer switches that turn interior lights on and off at set intervals during the evening. 

Do not leave gifts inside the home on full view of people walking past, and after Christmas do not advertise what could be found inside your home by leaving attractive cardboard packaging on full view in green recycling bins in front gardens.  It is recommended that all festive packaging be turned inside out before placing in recycling bins, or better still, as soon as possible after the festive season take all packaging to the local cardboard recycling centre.

Vehicle Crime
To avoid fishing burglaries, where burglars use rods pushed through letter boxes to reach inside homes, do not leave car keys (or house keys) overnight on furniture conveniently positioned near to front doors.  And never leave gifts unattended inside motor vehicles even if they are not on view of passers by. It only takes a thief a brief moment to break into a motor vehicle.   Advise any visitors to your home during the Festive Season not to leave anything of value in their vehicles.   

Unsolicited Callers
Bogus Christmas Charities, Bogus Energy Callers and Rogue Traders.
Beware  of  any  cold  caller  who  may visit your home  asking  for  a donation  to an unknown and possibly bogus Christmas Charity.    Please try to ensure before donating  money  to  charity  that  your  money is going to a legitimate cause  and  not into the pockets of a criminal organization.

Please also be  aware of  any  unsolicited   caller(s)  pretending  to  be  from   an energy company offering substantial discounts  for  immediate cash payments or who try and get you to pass them your bank details.  Also be  aware  of rogue  traders who  may  try to persuade  you that  your brickwork, roof  or  chimney are in urgent need of repair, or  offer  cavity  wall  insulation at vastly reduced  prices.  Many people in the   U.K.,  especially   the   elderly  and  the   most   vulnerable, have been cheated out of their savings by rogue traders who charge  extortionate rates for shoddy work that will often need urgent and expensive remedial work.

Hounslow Council, Good Neighbour Guidance, in Respect of Noise
tel- 020 8583 5555 or e-mail pollution@hounslow.gov.uk
Hounslow Council have contact details (above) should anyone suffer noise problems.  If there are noise problems where you feel the police need to be involved, dial the Police Non-Emergency telephone number 0300 123 1212, or if there is aggressive and/or violent behaviour, dial 999.

Brentford SNT: - 020 8247 5974 - 07881723891 Syon SNT: - 020 8247 5989 - 07881 532261 Osterley SNT: - 020 7161 9004 - 07818 691640 Isleworth SNT: - 020 7161 9005 - 0208 721 2529 Report a Crime: 0300 123 1212 In an emergency always call 999

December 8, 2010