Canning & Clyde Road Residents Association

Our local Addiscombe bobbies on the beat have been working hard. We are pleased to report that the number of burglaries have gone down following the arrest of the main culprit. Car crime, unfortunately, has gone up. Our local Police advise residents not to leave things in view in your car that may encourage people to break in; efforts are being focussed on the prevention and detection of car crime. There were issues of anti social behaviour in another part of Addiscombe which have improved to some extent.

The current priorities for our team until January are:
Car crime; Addiscombe Railway Park - antisocial behaviour in the far bit which is yet to be opened. The Police have requested higher fencing to make it harder to break in; Youth provision - an area this end of the linear park (formerly used by Harris & Bailey) has been designated as a recreation area for older children. Sergeant Simon Cook is trying to find funding for equipment.

Please could you let Anne know by 1 January if there is anything in Addiscombe you feel our local Safer Neighbourhood Team should make a priority for the next three months?

Our local police team are also recruiting young people who would like to speak on behalf of other young people for a youth Ward Panel Team. If you are aged under 20 and are interested in this, please contact our Safer Neighbourhood Team (details on front page).

Other news - there have been problems with cold callers cheating one or two elderly people in Addiscombe. The advice is - do not let into your house or buy anything from anyone who you have not contacted first. This applies both to people phoning and to people calling at the door. If they claim to be reading a meter, do not let them in but phone your supplier to check first; a genuine meter reader will accept this. Do not be pressurised in any way. It's your home.

There are currently bogus callers phoning residents in Croydon claiming to work for a company on behalf of BT. The make various offers (eg free weekend calls etc) and then start asking for people's personal details. DO NOT GIVE THIS INFORMATION. Instead, say you will phone BT yourself using a number out of the phone book.

UPDATE 28 FEBRUARY 2008

EMAIL NEWS
A phishing email from Halifax this week stating that it has come to the banks attention that your account records are out of date and if you fail to click on the link provided within 24 hours your account will be terminated. This link lead to a website belonging to Evil Aura Productions in Staten Island N.Y but has now been closed down by the bank.

BOGUS CALLERS
In the SELHURST area two teams of bogus callers this week. The first victim had three white males call claiming to be plumbers and asking him to run his taps as there was a leak. One male stayed with the victim while the other two searched the premises and cash was stolen. One suspect described as approx 25 years 5'08" tall with an Irish accent, he was wearing a blue jumper. Second male was approx 18 years 5'07" tall wearing a white shirt; the third male was approx 25 years old and 5'08" tall, no other description. At the second house again three white males posed as plumbers and cash was stolen from the house. First male described as 20 years 6'00" tall and wearing dark clothing. Second male was approx 25 years 6'00" tall with an Irish accent and wearing a brown jumper with the sleeves covering his hands. Third male was approx 30 years old and wearing dark clothing.

CAR SECURITY ADVICE
Parking

When at home, always park your car in your garage if at all possible. Vehicles are 40 times less likely to suffer from criminal damage or theft than if they are left on the street.

If you can't use a garage, make sure you leave your vehicle in a well-lit, open place in full view. If you have a driveway, use it. Security lights and closed circuit television can be a real deterrent.

When you park in a car park, try to choose one with an attendant, or at least one, which is well lit and covered by CCTV.

Always avoid parking somewhere hidden from view and never leave anything valuable on display.

Keys

As security systems become more complex, thieves are increasingly targeting keys as the easy way to steal cars. As many thieves are opportunist, you only need drop your guard for a moment, and they will strike.

Always keep your keys about your person when out and about. Leaving them on a table in a restaurant or in an open handbag on the floor creates a prime target.

Another form of car theft on the increase is where thieves hook car keys through a letterbox in order to steal the car. Also in the Croydon area there have been several reports of burglaries followed by the theft of the victim's car as thieves have realised that many people leave their keys in a visible and accessible place, such as on a hallway table or by a window.

Always make sure your keys are kept out of sight, such as in a cupboard or drawer. If you have a valuable car you may also want to invest in some kind of small built in safe for greater piece of mind.

UPDATE 13 DECEMBER 2007

BOGUS CALLERS

Two white males both about 40 years old posed as Police Officers to gain entry to a house in THORNTON HEATH and stole property. One described as slim build with short hair and wearing grey/blue pullover and light coloured trousers. Second male described as 5'06" tall, fat build with shoulder length hair and a moustache. He was wearing a black or blue duffel coat.

Out shopping
· Beware of pickpockets. Stay alert and keep your bags close to you.
· Don't carry too much cash on you.
· Be alert at cash machines and keep your PIN number secure.
· If travelling by car, park in a well-lit area, lock all doors and windows and don't leave anything in view.

Out on the town
· Don't leave bags unattended or over the backs of chairs.
· Always use a licensed minicab, taxi or night bus to get home safely.
· Don't drink too much - you could become an easy target for thieves.
· Always keep your mobile phone secure.