EASY TIPS TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM OF CRIME

You will have seen an excellent article,written last week, by Deputy Borough Commander NEIL VYSE,about the current spate of DISTRACTION thefts at Cash machines throughout Harrow.

Please read this carefully since it gives plenty of information about protecting yourself from being robbed at ATMs/Cash machines.There is no need to be afraid,providing you take adequate care.The onus is on YOU!Please refer to www.neighbourhoodlink.met.police.uk for crime and safety messages which will alert you about the latest initiatives and also how to enhance safety.Please ensure you FOLLOW the advice.

You have all been hearing about the price of gold going through the roof.This seems to still be climbing steadily.Many of us love jewellery.So do the thieves!Of course,for completely opposite reasons.There are two important considerations for us.Do you really need to wear it and also how can you do so without attracting criminals or putting yourself at risk?

Robbery often results in loss of confidence along with the loss of property and sometimes in sustaining injuries.This is to be avoided at all costs.We must consider how to arm ourselves with crime busting tips to avoid becoming victims.

Ideally,you should not wear expensive jewellery and go out but if you still prefer to do so please take common-sense precautions like covering your necklace/chain with some item of clothing--not too difficult with the cooler months setting in.It works a treat!Like-wise cover your bracelets and other goods as you move about.

Small, expensive items are easiest for opportunists to grab on the street.Please dont get the wrong impression that Harrow is not a safe place.Just not sensible to tempt fate!In an ideal world such things should not happen.However, we must be realistic and adapt to an ever-changing world.God helps those who helps themselves!YOU are the best protection for yourself.

Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings.Keep your hand-bags and wallets where you can see them,not behind your back,which makes you an easy target for crooks.Be mindful of expensive mobile phones and luxury goods which all attract criminals.

We have an excellent Town Centre team backed by Transport Teams and lots of PCSOs but they cannot physically watch over every single one of us,individually, 24/7.I am sure we would not want our privacy invaded in that way!Taking care of your personal belongings will prevent you from becoming a victim of crime.

It isnt exactly rocket science that with darker autumnal evenings imminent opportunities for crime will escalate.This should not make us more fearful,rather more careful.

Simple things like making sure we lock our cars properly,even on our own drive,removing any interesting looking packages which might trigger undue interest and even having screws fitted to our number plates will deter theft of and from your motor vehicles.Put your car keys out of sight so they cannot be used to steal your vehicle.What could be simpler?Its about establishing good habits to help PREVENT crime.

Another bane for most of us has been the spike in RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES.Again,we have many good tips available from your local Safer Neighbourhood Teams,such as how to make your property safer using alarms.security lights,making side-entrances/gates to the alley and outbuildings more secure.

Harrow is extremely fortunate to have the use of cutting edge technology---SMARTWATER---available,free of charge to all its residents.Your local cops are waiting to help you make your homes safer.Install floor safes for your valuables.Please dont wait to be burgled and then take steps.Leave lights and radios on timer when you go out.It is essential you step up to the plate and PREVENT anyone invading your privacy and making you feel unsafe in your own sweet home!Be even more careful of taking precautions prior to going on holiday.Please do it NOW.No time like the present.

This is all the more important with all sorts of festivals imminent in our borough.Traditionally,Hindus will be celebrating NAVARATRI ---nine days of prayer and dancing ---throughout the borough,later this month.

Please make sure you leave your cars in a well-lit area and only go out in pairs or groups if returning late at night,especially if you are bedecked in jewellery.Harrow Police will be posting extra officers on duty but its YOUR DUTY to help them keep you safe.The criminal fraternity have dome their home-work thoroughly.Now its upto you to do yours and alert friends,colleagues and neighbours.

Purchase inexpensive alarms and attach them to your hand-bag, to deter thieves.The Police have small wallet-sized cards,aimed at all our communities,giving excellent advice which can be had from your local neighbourhood teams.help your community and distribute to as many as possible locally.These messages are being distributed by Harrow Police cross borough--through Harrow,Brent,Hiilingdon and Ealing,to help deter crime.The HPCCG is also helping to spread these messages and disseminate this important information ahead of the festive season.

DIWALI is another time to be vigilant, since people tend to let their guard down and,consequently, encounter problems.FIRE is another one of these.It is for us to be extra careful in our homes and prevent mishaps.Please also be careful with fire-works and be considerate about the feelings of others in your neighbourhood.Live and let live!

That reminds me.Keeping your own local patch safe is really very important and something we all aspire to.You have a big part to play in this and can make a real difference!We have an excellent NEIGHBOURHOOD CHAMPIONS scheme in operation since the past two years throughout our borough.In fact,our aspiration is to have a Neighbourhood Champion in every street in Harrow.Thus far,1500 have signed up and more than half have been trained to assist our local police.Many more are needed.

This month you have the opportunity of joining and applying for training as well.It is very rewarding to be a NEIGHBOUHOOD CHAMPION.You must have read the recent article about one such individual.Please contact Harrow Council about this scheme or ask your local police teams for more information.This is a joint venture run by HARROW COUNCIL and HARROW POLICE as an enhanced version of Neighbourhood Watch.We need you!

I have found it perfectly possible to enrol as a Neighbourhood Champion and carry out all my other duties as well.You can access more information by typing "Neighbourhood Champion" on Google.Please come forward and do your bit for Harrow.

Neighbourhood Champions are NOT spies.They are an invaluable asset to our community.Their role is to help knock out low level crimes which blight many of our neighbourhoods.Anti-social behaviour,graffiti,litter, untaxed cars,bogus traders and much more --all fall within their remit.They have very specific roles and a focussed area to help tacle low level crime, along with their local Police and Council.They are not vigilantes or busy-bodies--- just community-spirited citizens doing a wonderful job for the whole community.

The inaugural launch in July was extremely successful and well attended by many such Champions borough-wide and those in the making.It is really most rewarding to be able to help immediate neighbours and foster friendships.When you look out for one another everbody wins.We all learn so much and draw strength from each other.This is the biggest deterrent of all to crime.

Strong neighbourhoods equal strong communities.Strong communities represent a real threat to criminals.A united community made up of so called "nosy neighbours" is what criminals dread the most!High time we ganged up against them and made our own lives more peaceful.

It has been shown time and time again that a clean environment helps it to stay safe.It is almost like the "body language" of the area giving off signals,telling a tale about how much the residents care!An unloved neighbourhood attracts criminals like bees to honey.I'm sure you have got the message.

Think about this.If every single one of us living or working in Harrow took the time and trouble to implement all the crime prevention tips listed above would it be worthwhile for criminals to visit and target our borough or would they prefer to go somewhere else--- where the local folk just did not care?It simply boils down to this--do you wish to be a Victim of Crime or would you rather FORTIFY your person,home and neighbourhood against these criminals?No marks for guessing.

Looking forward to welcoming many of you at the forthcoming meeting of HARROW POLICE & COMMUNITY CONSULTATIVE GROUP on Monday,12 September in the Council Chamber,Harrow Civic Centre.We start at 730pm sharp.Borough Commander,Chief Superintendent,DAL BABU,will update us on our Policing Performance,the London Riots,Notting Hill Carnival and give you other interesting policing news, including who has been appointed the new Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

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