We have also now received further information from the police
that there has been an attempted burglary at DAN BRYANT HOUSE.

If anyone witnessed the offender entering the property, leaving, or anyone acting suspiciously, please contact the police on 101.

Please remain vigilant, and contact the police on 999 if you see anyone acting suspiciously.

Crime Prevention Advice can be sought from:

Thornton Safer Neighbourhood Team – tel: 020 8721 2622
Email: thornton.snt@met.police.uk

Please do not buzz strangers into the blocks on the estate; only allow people entry if you are expecting visitors. As well as this, be vigilant not to let strangers follow you in through the security doors, this has always been an issue in Lambeth Living properties, but again boils down to residents looking out for each other and not permitting strangers entry.

Thornton Safer Neighbourhood Team can be contacted by telephone on 020 8721 2622 or on the team mobile 07920 233 840.
You can also email the team Thornton.SNT@met.police.uk

The Metropolitan Police Service recently launched the new 101 Non-Emergency number.

Lambeth Police Borough Commander has launched the new project this week and announced that a new initiative of Local Policing Teams (LPT’s) who will work alongside Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT’s) such as the one in Thornton Ward.

The new project offers an innovative new approach to the use of response police officers, with the aim of improving the local policing service to the public such as estates in Lambeth like Weir Estate.  A proportion of the existing emergency response police officers will be dedicated to those calls which require urgent attention through the 999 system.

Urgent response calls are only a part of the overall volume of calls from the public.  The change means that a smaller number of response officers will deal with a reduced number of calls – those needing our swiftest response.

The aim is to use the officers ‘freed up’ from the overall pool of response officers in innovative new ways to serve the public.  Most of the ‘freed up’ officers will form Local Policing Teams (LPTs).  They will deal with the volume of less urgent calls from the public – those issues which the public regard as important, but where they understand an urgent response is not required.  This will include meeting people by appointment, which is convenient to them.

A further major benefit for the people of Lambeth is that the LPTs will also be used to supplement and enhance the work of Safer Neighbourhoods Teams (SNTs).

There are 21 SNTs in the 21 electoral wards in Lambeth.  These 21 wards will be aligned into 6 clusters. The map identifies those clusters in which wards are grouped which naturally fit best together. Each cluster will have a dedicated Inspector who will be the public point of contact.

The existing SNTs in the 21 wards will remain committed to their wards.  Hannah does not involve any change to the underlying SNT model in Lambeth.  However, the ward/SNT clusters will share the services of more than 100 constables in the LPTs. Each cluster will have a minimum 14 constables with Brixton having a minimum of 22.  LPTs will help Lambeth Borough police provide an increased local visible presence and tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.  LPTs and SNTs will work a shift pattern which reflects the demand profile of the borough.

Lambeth police’s Borough Commander, Superintendent Nick Ephgrave said “I am pleased to inform you that Lambeth will be implementing Project Hannah from Monday 14th February 2011. Hannah will create opportunities to significantly enhance local neighbourhood policing as well as maintaining our emergency response capability.

The borough Commander added “We are working closely with our local authority community safety colleagues to ensure the success of local partnership working.  Further updates will continue to be published throughout the year.”

WERA will continue to work closely with the Thornton Safer Neighbourhood Team which under the new structure has a new Sergeant and a new Inspector.

Chair Dave McEvoy said of the changes “We at WERA welcome anything that will tackle crime and help us to continue to keep residents safe; both, on, or around Weir Estate. We continue to have a strong relationship with our SNT team and look forward to working closely with the new LPT team.”

Weir Estate continues to have some of the lowest reported crimes in the borough though concerns have recently be raised about robberies along Atkins Road.

WERA’s Chair added “We would like to welcome the new team Sergeant and Inspector and as this is a priority for us as an estate and an association we will do all we can to ensure it works for us.”

Weir Estate continues to have a liaison officer in PCSO Karen Rose.  WERA will be meeting the new Sergeant and Inspector in the very near future.

For more information about Thornton SNT, see here

Latest crime prevention advice from Thornton SNT

• Do not put the empty packaging out with the dustbin this shows a burglar what Santa has delivered.
• Don’t let your child take their present to school in the new year. They may not keep it for very long
• Take a photograph of valuable items eg Bicycles and Jewellery in case they are unfortunately stolen
• Register any removable property that has a serial number on the free website www.immobilise.com All you need is the make, model and serial number.  This is a national website used by all police.

Bogus Callers

LOCK: Keep all doors locked even when at home

STOP: Before you answer stop and think are you expecting anyone.  Look through a spy hole or window to see who it is

CHAIN: If you have a chain or door bar put them on first before opening the door and keep on whilst talking to them

CHECK: Even if they have a prearranged appointment, check their identity carefully.  If still unsure, look up the phone number and verify their identity.

TELL: Ensure you let your neighbours know especially those who are elderly or vulnerable.  If you see some unusual activity at an elderly/vulnerable neighbour, why not visit them and ask what they are having done and report anything suspicious to the police

Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention Tips

• When you leave your vehicle, even for a short period of time please lock it up. Do not leave it open whilst you take your shopping into the house or to put the shopping trolley back.
• Do not leave any items of value in view for example; Sat Navs, lap tops, mobile phones and disability badges.
• If you are putting items in the boot out of sight, do so away from where you intend to park your vehicle.
• If you have a choice of parking places, choose the well lit area outside occupied premises.
• If you have a driveway with a gate, please put the vehicle on the drive and close the gates. if you have a garage please use it and ensure you lock it
• Do not leave vehicle keys in the house near windows or on a table by the front door.
• Report non emergency incidents to the police on 0300 123 1212.
• In an emergency always ring 999.



Motor vehicle Crime Prevention

• • When you leave your vehicle, even for a short period of time please lock it up. Do not leave it open whilst you take your shopping into the house or to put the shopping trolley back.
  • Do not leave any items of value in view for example; Sat Navs, laptops, mobile phones and disability badges as they are easy pickings.
  • If you are putting items in the boot out of sight, do so away from where you intend to park your vehicle, as someone could be watching you.
  • If you have a choice of parking places, choose the well lit area outside occupied premises.  Try to avoid parking in badly lit out of sight car parks.
  • If you have a driveway with a gate, please put the vehicle on the drive and close the gates. However, if you have a garage please use it and ensure you lock it.
  • Do not leave vehicle keys in the house near windows or on a table by the front door.

If you have concerns about day-to-day crime and disorder issues, or if you would like to get involved,
please contact your local team, Thornton, on 0208 721 2622 or 07920 233 840.
The team can also be sent an email Thornton.SNT@met.police.uk

In an Emergency you should always dial 999.
The Metropolitan Police Non-Emergency Number is 0300 123 1212

We have received a statement from Thornton SNT regarding the incident we reported on Sunday here

On Sunday 10th October 2010 at approximately 1800 hours police received a call from a Weir Estate resident stating that he believed there were youths outside his address in possession of a firearm.  Immediately armed response officers attended the location to search for both the suspects, potential victims and evidence.  Armed officers are always called to these reports for the safety of both residents and unarmed borough officers, this is standard procedure.

Officers searched areas around the estate and could not find any trace of any bullets or injured parties. I would like to re-iterate that although alarming, the presence of armed officers was only a precautionary measure.

Again it goes to show the commitment that Weir Estate residents have of working with Lambeth Police to make Weir Estate a safer place

Weir Estate Residents Association would like to reassure residents regarding the presence of Armed Police Officers on Weir Estate at around 6:15pm on Sunday 10^th October in which a number of police with their weapons visible were seen by residents to be patrolling the estate following reports of Youths with a firearm on or around 6pm.

Our Chair, Dave McEvoy spoke to one of the armed officers who informed him that they had received a call from a member of the public about youths with a firearm but after an extensive search of the whole area including Weir Estate, Weir Road and Atkins Road (inclusive of Agnes Riley Park) that there was NO sign of any activity of this kind as they had found no trace of a fire arm, youths or evidence of damage caused by a firearm, so were sure it was a hoax call and therefore left the estate shortly after 6.35pm. There are no known reports of anyone being shot in the area and we are awaiting further confirmation from officers at the Safer Neighbourhood team.

We would like to reassure residents and members of the public on Weir Estate that there is no evidence of risk to the safety of residents. We would also like to assure you that there has been no further repeats of such incidents and at this moment the police are satisfied there was no criminal incident on Weir Estate involving a firearm.

We will of course inform you of any developments in relation to this incident. Weir Estate continues to be the safest estate to live on in Lambeth and local safer neighbourhood officers continue to work with us in order to keep crime down. WERA will do all it can to ensure that there is no risk or danger to residents safety.

We hope this give you reassurance regarding this incident!

You can contact Thornton Safer Neighbourhood Team when they are on shift by telephoning 020 8721 2622, or 07920 233 840.
If there is no answer, leave a message and an officer will get back to you. You can also email the SNT at Thornton.SNT@met.police.uk

In the event of an emergency always dial 999, for all other calls to the Police please dial 0300 123 1212.

Personal Safety Tips

•         When you’re out and about look purposeful. Assertiveness in the way you behave reduces perceived vulnerability.
•         Avoid using your phone or iPod in public, especially immediately after leaving railway/bus stations.
•         Loud personal music affects your awareness of your surroundings.
•         Don’t draw attention to your valuables. Out of sight is safer.
•         It is easier for wallets and purses to be removed from back pockets.
•         Avoid short cuts down alley ways and across parks.  Move away from suspicious people. Trust your instincts.
•         Use a pre-booked minicab or licensed taxi.  Know what you are getting into.
•         Report non emergency incidents to the police on 0300 123 1212.
•         In an emergency always ring 999.

Summer Time Burglary Prevention Tips

•         When you leave your home please lock it up. This means all windows and doors. Several of the new windows allow for ventilation – Don’t just put the handle down in this position make sure you lock it as well.
•         When you are not in the room with a window/door that is open ensure it is secure – don’t think because you are in you will hear what’s going on.
•         Don’t leave expensive property in view of passer-by’s and don’t leave house keys or car keys on a table near the door or window.
•         Secure bicycles to a permanent fixture even if leaving in communal hallways or sheds.

You can always contact Thornton Safer Neighbourhood Team on 020 8721 2622 or email Thornton.SNT@met.police.uk.