Saint Joseph's Neighbourhood Watch   (Upper Norwood, London, U.K.)

A warm welcome was extended to Eleanor Edwards. Our best wishes went out to Mrs. Burch - and our hopes for her speedy recovery.  Tricia Whyte was thanked for providing us room at the last moment.  We were delighted to see Sergeant Isaac for the first time.

CRIME REPORT:
Sergeant Isaac outlined his work in managing the 6 homebeats covering the whole of Norbury, his own beat experience, and his work in his new post over the previous 3 months or so.  He has taken over from Sergeant Stephen Hughes.  He apologized that P.C. Paul Moore could not attend because of training, but we were delighted to find that P.C. Moore had provided a comprehensive crime report and copies of the summary to go round the meeting.
    There were 12 crimes reported between 01/12/98 and 25/03/99. Two were domestic incidents. Three were crimes relating to pupils at St. Joseph's College and there were related arrests.  There were three burglaries which were particularly worrying - there was a certain similarity, all involving rear access, daylight hours and often tools from garden sheds.  No items of enormous value were stolen, but great heartache and inconvenience was caused; in the most recent (24th. March 1999) a suspect was seen and was described as a while male of about 17 wearing a baseball cap and black or blue clothes like a school uniform - and this was between 06:30 and 07:00.  Finally there were four motor vehicle crimes: the theft of a scooter and three incidents of criminal damage to unattended vehicles (whether the intent was to steal the vehicles, steal from them or vandalism we do not know). The Sergeant told us that this is not bad for this area of London, but reminded us not to become complacent and to maintain our vigilance.

TOPICAL TIPS and further news from the Police:
Sergeant Isaac explained that our beat is extremely large, but home beat officers are now supported by a proactive force which targets troublesome areas, particularly where burglary, robbery and motor vehicle crime is rife.  The whole of Croydon is coming together as a police area.  Inspector Stockford is liaising with Penge and Streatham Police to ensure a continuity of purpose and coverage across borders - and since we are on the edge of the zone, the meeting supported this initiative and will be eager to hear about progress.

Crime Prevention: In view of the robberies in our Watch, Sergeant Isaac reminded us to pay particular attention to the backs of our properties, including making it more difficult to get round the back in the first place, especially from parks and alleyways.  These burglaries have been opportunist so effective crime prevention is to remove the opportunity. Some older patio doors are remarkably easy to remove (with a garden spade) and people with such patio doors should consider improving security there. Please be observant, report suspicious people and cars to P.C. Moore - often little bits of coincidental information can add up to an arrest.  As always if there is a crime happening ring 999.  Norbury police would be delighted to receive any calls that might help them: P.C. Paul Moore is on 0181 649 1103 and Sergeant Ieuan Isaac is on 0181 649 1120 (both with answerphones: please leave a brief message if they are not in).  A reminder that the ID cards of people going door-to-door cannot be relied upon - if in doubt phone the organization they represent.

Summer hints: A reminder that as the weather improves we should not be tempted to leave windows open.  Early mornings in summer are a surprisingly popular time for burglaries: be warned. Beware of announcing to all and sundry your address and holiday dates when you cancel newspapers and the like - a note for your newsagent may be a better option.   Sergeant Isaac also noticed some useful tips on a web page of our sister site in South Australia - these will be highlighted on our web site, see this paragraph on our homebeat page.

List of recommended local contractors.
The latest list was given out to all those who came to the meeting. We have about 30 entries so far, but would welcome further suggestions for trusted and reliable tradespeople.
 

Any other business:

• The police public meeting at St. Joseph's on 21st. January was attended by a number of people from the watch. The main items were the increasing drugs problem in Croydon, the plans for the combining of Croydon Police under one area and the focus of the proactive police groups (detailed above).
• The Police do keep an unattended property register, but it is mainly to deal with large business premises empty for long periods.
• If a burglar alarm sounds at a property where you hold the key think before you decide whether to go in or not; if there is anything suspicious ring the police.
• P.C. Moore will be told that as the front of St. Joseph's School is receiving more attention from teachers and police the back alleyways are an increasing problem - not just litter, graffiti and minor vandalism but also signs of drugs changing hands.
• Particular thanks for his sympathetic assistance were extended to PC Moore from one member who was recently  a victim of crime - his professionalism should not go unnoticed.

THANKS: Our grateful thanks are due to Tricia Whyte once again for kindly inviting us to hold our meeting in her house and to Norbury Police for photocopying this Newsletter.
 

The meeting ended at 9:10p.m.