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Dear Residents, Crime‑Prevention Advice 1) Personal safety in public (especially phone snatches) Phone thieves may use bikes or mopeds and approach from behind, particularly in busy locations such as stations and shopping areas, so staying alert to riders nearby reduces risk. If you need to use your phone outside, look up and be aware of surroundings, keep it brief, and avoid texting while walking so you’re not distracted.Stand away from the roadside (e.g., closer to a wall/building) so someone can’t easily come up behind you and grab your phone.Consider going hands‑free to reduce the chance a thief can snatch your phone directly from your hand.Don’t leave phones/tablets/cameras unattended or on tables, because thieves can grab them in seconds. Turn on phone security (strong PIN/biometrics), enable tracking, back up data, and keep access codes somewhere safe so you can act quickly if the device is stolen. Note your phone’s IMEI (dial *#06#) and store it somewhere else, as it can help identify the phone if it’s lost or stolen. The Met advises never confront a thief or risk your safety for a phone. Met links for residents: Phone snatch prevention | Protect your phone (set up now) 2) Home security (burglary prevention & “target hardening”) The Met’s home security guidance covers burglary, doorstep theft, and reducing opportunities by securing doors, windows and outside spaces. Avoid giving burglars places to hide: the Met notes that very high front fences/overgrown cover can help burglars approach unseen, and recommends lower front boundaries for visibility with stronger rear/side security. Use deterrent boundary measures such as trellis, thorny plants, anti‑climb toppings and gravel paths to make approach/noise more noticeable. CCTV can be useful, but the Met stresses it is not a substitute for strong physical security like secure doors and windows, and cameras should be positioned to capture usable facial images. Use the Met’s home security checklists and guidance on locks and property marking to reduce burglary risk and make items harder to sell on. Met links for residents: Protecting your home from crime | Keep burglars out of your property 3) Vehicle crime (theft of vehicles and theft from vehicles) The Met advises locking your vehicle even for short stops (fuel/driveway), checking windows/sunroof, and ensuring it is properly locked (some thieves look for mirrors still out on cars that fold when locked). Keep keys/fobs out of view and away from the front door, because thieves may “fish” keys through letterboxes and clone keys. For keyless entry cars, the Met warns about relay theft and advises storing keys well away from the car and using a screened/signal‑blocking pouch (e.g., Faraday‑type), plus considering extra physical security. To prevent theft from vehicles, the Met advises: always lock, close windows, don’t leave valuables (even small items), and remove “clues” like sat‑nav mounts/cables that suggest devices may be hidden. Catalytic converters can be removed quickly and are targeted for valuable metals; the Met recommends manufacturer‑approved locks/guards (tested standards), parking in garages or well‑lit/overlooked areas, and marking/registering converters.Met links for residents: Keeping vehicles safe | Preventing car and vehicle theft | Prevent theft from a vehicle | Catalytic converter theft 4) Online safety (scams, fraud, and cyber crime) The Met explains that many fraud and computer misuse offences can be reduced by developing good online habits, and you don’t need to be a technical expert to lower your risk. Use strong passwords (the Met suggests three unrelated words), keep software updated, use anti‑virus/firewalls, and only download from trusted sources to reduce cyber crime risk. Be cautious with unexpected emails/texts and attachments; the Met advises that reputable organisations won’t ask for sensitive financial details via email/text, and you should verify unexpected messages directly. Met links for residents: Online fraud & cyber crime | Cyber crime advice 5) Reporting and getting help The Met provides multiple ways to contact them, including 999 for emergencies and 101 for non‑emergency enquiries, plus accessibility options (textphone/emergencySMS/BSL) and CrimeStoppers for anonymous reporting. Residents can also report many incidents online (crime, antisocial behaviour, lost/stolen vehicles, fraud and more) via the Met’s reporting tool.Met Engage allows the public to receive local alerts and information and connect with neighbourhood teams. Met links for residents: Contact the Met (999/101) | Report online |
