Spate of Stolen Bicycles in Brentford

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Good Advice From Brentford's Neighbourhood Watch

There has been a recent spate of thefts from back gardens and garden sheds in roads close to the A4  Residents are asked to be extremely vigilant with valuable property kept in gardens and garden sheds.  Should you hear any unexplained noise coming from back gardens or you see or hear anything suspicious, please dial 999.
    
Burglaries
Opportunist burglar(s) will target homes and gardens that look easy to enter with little chance of being seen or heard.  During the warmer days and long evenings please keep doors and windows locked.  If going out for the evening, leave a light on, it’s also a good idea to leave a radio playing.  If the property is going to be empty for any length of time, purchase timer switches that turn lights on and off at selected intervals.  Inform close neighbours’ that you will be away. 

To avoid losing your house/vehicle keys by thieves using long rods, please keep all keys out of reach and out of sight of front and back doors.

Burglary Prevention
If you are concerned about your own property’s security, please contact our Metropolitan Police Safer Neighbourhoods Team based at Brentford Police Station.  They will arrange for a security inspection and undertake any necessary changes. Work will be carried out free of charge for the over 60s, the disabled, single parents and the most vulnerable.  For further information please contact the Brentford Police Safer Neighbourhoods Team, or should you prefer, your Neighbourhood Watch representative.  See over for contact details.

Railway/Underground Ticket Purchasing Machines
There has been an increase of criminals using electronic skimming devices attached to station ticket machines that capture credit/debit card and bank details.  The fraudsters will then sell this information to criminal organizations overseas who will make fake debit/credit cards in your name to be used in countries that do not have chip and pin technology.  When using a station ticket machine, criminals may also try and obtain your pin number by using a hidden camera to film the transaction or by standing close to you when you make the transaction.  The police advise that when using a station ticket machine and using a debit/credit card, a) make certain that there is nothing unusual about the machine, b) use your free hand to shield the key pad when entering your pin number. c) check that there is no one standing too close or behaving suspiciously nearby  d) if you do notice someone looking intently at what you are doing, cancel the transaction, e) check all bank statements thoroughly for possible unknown  transactions.   Never let your cards out of your sight and always protect your pin.   

Using Mobiles on Trains and Public Areas
Rail commuters who use their mobiles on station platforms and trains are warned that there has been an increase of robberies where mobiles telephones have been snatched.  Commuters using iPhones, iPads and BlackBerries have been particularly targeted. Thieves will scout for their victims who are seen using their mobiles on station platforms and after targeting their victim, will follow them onto the train.  When their victim is distracted, the thieves will attack using violence if necessary.  The thieves then get off the train at the next stop. 

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

May 13, 2011