POLICING SUTTON SOUTH

Sutton police station is just outside our Ward, in Carshalton Road.

Sutton has consistently been one of the safest Boroughs in London. Nonetheless Trish, Louise and Richard, the police, the Council and other partners recognise that feeling safe is one of our residents’ most important priorities.

 DO YOU HAVE VIEWS ON HOW SOUTH SUTTON IS POLICED AND WHAT OUGHT TO BE THE PRIORITIES FOR POLICE ACTION? LET US KNOW. IT WILL HELP US IN OUR CONTINUING DIALOGUE, ON BEHALF OF THE COMMUNITY, WITH THE LOCAL POLICE, ON HOW SUTTON SOUTH CAN BEST BE POLICED. AND YOU ARE WELCOME TO ATTEND THE PUBLIC MEETINGS OF THE POLICE CONSULTATIVE PANEL, DETAILS BELOW.

REPORTING CRIME

In Sutton you can call 101 to report a crime that has already happened, seek crime prevention advice or make the police aware of any issues in your local area. Using 101 for situations that do not require an immediate police response helps keep 999 available for when there is an emergency.  An emergency is a crime happening now or immediate danger.  If you have any information you wish to provide to the police anonymously contact the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.

OPEN MEETINGS WITH THE POLICE

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY MEETINGS

We all attend the local police consultative consultative meetings held quarterly in accordance with Metropolitan police policy. These are open meetings all residents can attend. We advertise these meetings on our website. Attendance at the meetings is lower than we would like or expect given concerns about crime. Reports on meetings are provided below. During the pandemic the panel met infrequently.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD COMMUNITY/POLICE MEETING – WEDNESDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2024

Held at Devonshire Avenue primary school. Constable Skivens gave an update on crime in the Ward since the last meeting, which was on 26 June 2024.

Burglaries: There had been 8 burglaries. Several were burglaries of garages but there had been some of houses and of commercial premises. There was a gang of four people who were now well known in the borough who had been behind a number of burglaries.

Motor Vehicle Crime: 11 crimes were reported – 3 of theft of cars (in Ambleside Gardens, Albion Road, Farm Close). The other offences  were thefts from, damage to or interference with cars. There were again no catalytic converter thefts.

Drug offences: 5 crimes  were reported, one of possession of cannabis and one of possession with intent to supply. The other offences  were importation of drugs intercepted by Border Force where a local address was given for the consignment. Ward police would then have to visit the address but usually this was a fictitious or convenience address.

Violence against women and girls: 4 cases. These included a man exposing himself on a bus and cases of women being followed.

Major crimes: This is a broad category. There were 4 cases – two robberies, one attempted robbery, one case of a threat to kill.

Other crimes: There were 11 in this miscellaneous category, including:

• 2 of shoplifting from the BP service station
• 2 pedal cycles stolen
• A woman who had an epileptic fit outside Sutton station had her bag stolen
• A “street drinker” at the station had vapes stolen from him
• A handbag was left on a bus and stolen, and efforts were made to use the bank cards
• The theft of a wedding ring through distraction techniques (engaging in conversation to distract),

Staffing: Although Sutton South has a cadre of 3 officers – Constable Skivens, a second Constable and a PCSO – Constable Skivens was currently on her own. The other Constable is on restricted duties due to a hamstring injury and the PCSO has an injured knee. Constable Skivens spends about half her time on “extractions”, usually to the Response Team, to undertake other duties outside the Ward. The meeting expressed concern at the staffing level.

The meeting discussed a variety of issues raised by residents:

• The success of Operation Nightingale in reducing crime in Sutton by monitoring and patrolling selected crime hotspots
• The reduction of crime at Sutton station by closing the side entrance at certain times
• The knife amnesty, and its success
• Drug dealing, including at Sutton Court and Beauclere House
• Concerns about “street drinkers” at Sutton station
• Fire safety, including the threat posed by batteries on scooters and electric bikes
• The importance of reporting crime (it was pointed out that reports via Crimestoppers are anonymous)
• Keyless cars: the need to keep keys in a tin
• The police speed traps in Chalgrove Road, including on 5 June
• The cuts to the police cadets, which meet at Overton Grange school, and the reasons for this action. Councillor Clifton mentioned that the Councillors with the local MP were planning to take this up with the Metropolitan police at a more senior level.

The date of the next meeting was set as Wednesday 15 January, at Devonshire Avenue primary school. There was a discussion of what could be done to better publicise the meeting and get a better attendance.

The meeting thanked Constable Skivens for her work and for coming in on her day off to present her report to us and Devonshire Avenue school for hosting the meeting..

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY MEETING 26 JUNE 2024

The police consultative panel for Sutton South Ward met again on the evening of 26 June 2024, at Devonshire Avenue school. There are open, public meetings held quarterly at which the police discuss the policing of the Ward with local residents. We were addressed by our Ward Constable, Constable Robyn Skivens, who went through the crime statistics for the Ward. We remain concerned that these meetings, chaired by our local Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator, are not well attended. Sutton has a lower crime rate than most outer London boroughs and our Ward has one of the lowest crime rates in Sutton. However, crime always has a significant impact on the victim and public concern remains high.

The police reported that in the period since the committee last met on 24 April there had been 19 burglaries in the Ward. These were mainly of garages and the police are concerned about the security of blocks of garages adjacent to blocks of flats.

There had been 12 incidents of damage to vehicles, though six were associated with the activities of a disgruntled ex-employee of a local firm. There were no thefts of motor vehicles and again no incidents of theft of catalytic converters.

There were a small number of more major offences, including robbery and public order offences around Sutton train station. There were some incidents of shoplifting, bicycle thefts and youths smoking cannabis. There was some discussion of what the police can do about the group of “all day drinkers” who frequent Sutton station, who had recently congregated at the seat in Bridge Road.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 24 APRIL 2024

The police consultative panel for Sutton South Ward met on the evening of 24 April, at Devonshire Avenue school. We were addressed by our Ward Constable, Constable Robyn Skivens, who went through the crime statistics for the Ward. 

During the period from the turn of the year there had been 18 burglaries in the Ward. Many of these were the burglary of garden sheds and the many garages in the Ward. There were 12 incidents involving motor vehicles – theft from or of vehicles. There had been no thefts of catalytic converters. There were 10 other thefts – mainly parcel or phone thefts, or of pedal cycles. There were a small number of robberies around the train station. The police have continued to organise patrols around the station.

There had been 5 drug offences recorded. There had been 4 “dog incidents” – dogs being dangerously out of control or biting people. There were 3 incidents involving the harassment of women and girls, offences the police take very seriously.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 11 OCTOBER 2023

The Sutton South Ward Police Consultative Panel met on the evening of 11 October. These are open, public meetings all residents can attend. We were addressed by our Ward Constable, Constable Robyn Skivens. Her colleague Constable Owen Harding often attends but was involved in work for his University course. Constable Skivens set out the crime statistics from 1 July this year to the present. This meeting was much less well attended than the previous meeting, held on 19 July at the Friends’ Meeting House in Cedar Road. Prior to this, meetings were held at Christchurch in Christchurch Park, but this is now unavailable.

Given the level of public interest in crime it is disappointing that these meetings are not better attended and there was discussion of how to increase attendance. A provisional date of Wednesday January 10 was agreed for the next meeting, venue to be determined, and it was agreed that approaches would be made to Ward-based churches, residents’ groups and schools to see if attendance could be increased.

During the period from 1 July there had been 21 burglaries in the Ward. This included 9 residential burglaries, 5 burglaries of garages and 4 burglaries of commercial premises – including a vape shop and a barbers. These are investigated by a specific Sutton borough burglary team. CCTV evidence including evidence from doorbell cameras is useful to the team. There had been 25 incidents involving motor vehicles, including 9 thefts of vehicles, 7 thefts from vehicles and 4 thefts of number plates. Interestingly, there had been no catalytic converter thefts. The important advice is not to leave anything valuable in your car and be careful to check it is locked when you leave the car. One resident at the meeting said he had accidently left the car unlocked one evening and money had been stolen from the car. There was one parcel theft, one robbery, one offence involving possession of an offensive weapon and four incidents classified as violence against women and girls, including stalking. These offences are a London-wide priority for the Met at this time. The police always stress the need to report all crime, however trivial.

Constable Skivens commented on the number of “extractions” when she and Constable Harding are asked to leave Ward duties and assist in activities elsewhere. This reduces attention to Ward matters. Recently this has included hospital guarding and re-assurance patrols in Wallington following the murder on the Roundshaw estate. There is still a vacancy for a PCSO in the Ward team.

A further meeting was provisionally arranged for 10 January 2024.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 19 JULY 2023

This meeting was attended by 15 people and was held at the Friends’ Meeting House in Cedar Road as Christchurch is unavailable. Constable Robyn Skivens and her colleague Owen Harding reported on the most recent crime trends, since 1 April.

Thee had been two serious assaults in the Ward. There had been 16 burglaries though mostly of sheds and garages – 2 residential burglaries. There had been 21 incidents of motor vehicle crime, mostly damage to vehicles or theft from a vehicle. Interestingly, there had again been no catalytic converter thefts. There had been two arrests related to possession of cannabis, one dog attack, a mobile phone theft from the Anytime Gym, a theft of headphones at Northumberland House. The police stressed the need to report all crime, however trivial an incident might seem. There was some concern about incidents at Overton Grange school, and an incident at the Devonshire Avenue Nature Area. The report triggered a wide ranging discussion.

A further meeting was provisionally arranged for 18 October, at Overton Grange school.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 19 APRIL 2023

The Sutton South Ward Police Consultative Panel held a successful and well attended meeting on the evening of 19 April. We were addressed by Constable Robyn Skivens and her colleague Owen Harding, who set out the crime statistics from 1 January this year.

In the Ward, there had been 11 burglaries, though many of these were burglaries of sheds or garages. There were 26 motor vehicle crimes, mostly theft of contents from vehicles. There were 6 robberies or attempted robberies, mostly the snatching of mobile phones by young men, sometimes school children. There had been 9 “parcel thefts” – thefts of parcels left on doorsteps by delivery firms.

Interestingly, there had been no catalytic converter thefts or incidents of what are classed as violence against individuals, including domestic violence. However the spike in robberies at the start of the year was concerning and there is no room for complacency. It can be concluded, though, that compared to other parts of London Sutton South Ward remains a relatively low crime area.

Constable Skivens reported that the staffing on the Ward is now up to the complement of three officers, though they were sometimes called away to activities outside the Ward, such as policing demonstrations. The meeting discussed a number of local incidents, what could be done about computer crime and a variety of other matters including the problems associated with e-scooters.

A further meeting is arranged for Wednesday 19 July, though the venue is to be confirmed.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 11 JANUARY 2023

The panel met again, chaired by Raj Kondipalli, our Sutton South Ward Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator, on 11 January 2023, at Christchurch hall. Constable Robyn Skivens presented data on crime levels in the Ward – in the period from 1 October there were 2 residential burglaries in our Ward. There were 32 instances of motor vehicle crime, a worrying increase, and 3 robberies. These involved theft of mobile phones and laptops. There were four instances of theft of catalytic converters. There was one instance of grievous bodily harm, though this concerned an altercation between school pupils outside Sutton station during which one sustained a minor injury. While any crime is too much crime, the data indicate that Sutton South Ward remains a low crime area by comparison to the outer London average.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 12 OCTOBER 2022

The panel met, chaired by Raj Kondipalli, our Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator, on 12 October 2022, at Christchurch hall. Constable Robyn Skivens presented data on crime levels in the Ward – in the period from 1 July there were 5 residential burglaries in our Ward, though this included theft from a bike shed and one instance of theft of a parcel from a front door. There were 14 instances of motor vehicle crime and one robbery. There were four instances of theft of catalytic converters. While any crime is too much crime, the data indicates that Sutton South Ward remains a low crime area by comparison to the outer London average. The police mentioned the initiative of the Commissioner on violence against women. There was again an interesting discussion on what can be done about speeding in local roads. 

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 20 JULY 2022

After a significant gap, the panel met again, chaired by Raj Kondipalli, our new Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator. Constable Robyn Skivens presented data on crime levels in the Ward – in the period from 1 April 7 garage burglaries, 4 residential burglaries, 28 instances of motor vehicle crime, 12 major crimes such as domestic violence and including one robbery. Seven of the motor vehicle crimes involved theft of catalytic converters, seven were theft of a motor vehicle, 11 theft from a motor vehicle. There was an interesting discussion of catalytic converter thefts and on what can be done about speeding in local roads. The group meets again on 12 October in the hall at Christchurch. – all residents are welcome.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 8 OCTOBER 2021

The panel met for the first “in person” meeting since 16 June 2019, on Friday 8 October at the hall at Christchurch, in Christchurch Park. There was a good turnout with about 20 residents attending. The police team was led by Constable Robyn Skivens. The police reported that crime in the area remains low with, in the period since 1 July, just one burglary, 8 thefts of motor vehicles and 14 thefts from motor vehicles. There was a wide-ranging discussion covering issues including how to ensure people report crime, abandoned vehicles, e-scooters (their use other than on private land is unlawful), anti-social drinkers and the successful use by the police of Community Protection Orders. The likely impact on crime from having more people working at home was also noted. It was agreed that, while the Metropolitan police have had a bad press recently and the issues exposed by the Sarah Everard murder are of genuine importance and concern, in Sutton South the performance of our local police officers has been exemplary. The panel will meet again on 28 January.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 18 MARCH 2021

After a gap of a year and nine months due to the pandemic, at last a further meeting of the panel. This was restricted, as it had to be by Zoom. There were just the Councillors and three police officers. Delighted to learn nothing much has changed – Sutton South is still a low crime area. We discussed garage burglaries, catalytic convertor thefts, speeding, how to enforce the new 20 mph speeding limit in roads to the east of the Ward. Further meetings planned when we can get back in person in July (we all hope).

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 16 JUNE  2019

Trish and Richard attended the meeting of the police consultative panel for Sutton South Ward. Held at Christchurch hall, there was a disappointing turnout of residents, just six residents plus two police officers, the Councillors, and the chair. Two of the residents represented residents’ associations. The good news was that there are now more staffing resources allocated to the Ward and the crime figures are stable after a period when there was an increase that caused us concern. There was an interesting discussion, not for the first time at these meetings, of the problem of homelessness and rough sleeping, and its causes. There may be a public perception that rough sleepers are more likely to be involved in crime, but no evidence for it.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 8 MARCH  2019

This meeting was chaired by Amie Stacey, who lives in Upland Road and has recently been appointed Ward Co-ordinator for Sutton South. The police were represented by PCSO Laura Jagoe, from Sutton South Ward and PC Adam Nawol from Cheam Ward.

Non-urgent contact details for the Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT):  suttonsouth.snt:met.police.uk;  020 8721 2497; 07920 233862.

The police reported that in the period December to March, there were 16 burglaries and 21 vehicle crimes in Sutton South Ward.  Common methods of entry included getting over a back gate and entering from the rear of the premises by breaking a door or window.  We were advised to link a burglar alarm to a call centre, rather than rely on a neighbour.  Car thefts were mainly opportunist, some people forgetting to lock their cars.  Drugs were not viewed as a big problem, incidents being very sporadic and tackled quickly, after which the drug sellers would move on to somewhere else.

As usual, the police SNTs are seriously undermanned.  Over the 4 wards, viz. Sutton South, Cheam, Belmont and Sutton West, there are 1 sergeant, 5 PCs, of whom only 3 are “operational” and 3 PCSOs.  There are supposed to be 8 PCs, 2 per ward.  We were told that there is a PCSO recruitment campaign.  Great concern was expressed by all at the meeting and letters will be sent by Neighbourhhod Watch to MPs and the Mayor of London.

999 calls are handled by an Emergency Response Team.

Lisa Webster, Road Co-ordinator for Upland Road, reported her success in bringing residents of that road together through social events including a “Community Cuppa” meeting on 6th March at her house, 101 Upland Road, to which 26 people came between 1.30 and 3 p.m.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 29 NOVEMBER  2018

The first meeting for a long time as the summer meeting was cancelled at a late point due to it being on the evening of one of the football matches England were involved in in the World Cup. A meeting that left us feeling worried. An increase in crime, in burglaries and thefts from motor vehicles, was reported for the first time for some time. This may not be unrelated to problems of police numbers following the merger with Croydon and Bromley. There are a significant number of unfilled posts, vacancies, that the police are struggling to fill, particularly PCSOs. These are important for work on community relations. One member of staff is about to be moved to work in Croydon, though she did not request this move, and we are again losing our Dedicated Ward Officer. Kellie Heath is also being moved to Croydon.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 24 APRIL  2018

A better attended meeting, the highlight being an animated discussion of what can be done to deal with anti-social behaviour outside Sutton station, particularly the racist abuse of the owner of the flower shop. Crime remains low in the area. The staffing problems of the local police force have been ameliorated somewhat. Concern was expressed about the merger of Sutton, Bromley and Croydon police forces as resources will be drawn away from low crime Sutton to higher crime Croydon, but it seems this is to go ahead come what may.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 30 JANUARY  2018

Not a well attended meeting, but the first chaired by our new chair Frank Berry. Crime remains low. Homelessness is on the increase nationally and here in Sutton and the meeting discussed measures to deal with it. There was concern at staffing levels, with one PC post unfilled for some time and the PCSO away on maternity leave.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 31 OCTOBER 2017

The meeting learned that our new Dedicated Ward Officer, PC Kellie Heath, is fitting in to her role and has been very active in meeting local community groups. Although the revised policing model promised by Borough Commander Mark Lawrence promises two Dedicated Ward Officers, supported by a PCSO, by the end of 2017, Kellie is at the moment something of a one woman band.

We were delighted that Frank Berry, who lives in Christchurch Park and was formerly chair of the Sutton Federation of Residents and Tenants’ Associations has agreed to chair future meetings.

The meeting ran through the crime statistics for the last three months. A theme in the four burglaries from houses was windows left open, and in motor vehicle crime carelessness about locking vehicles and leaving SatNavs on display inside the car. Other themes discussed at the meeting were incidents of rough sleeping in stairwells of blocks of flats. The meeting agreed that police priorities should continue to be burglary, anti-social behaviour and speeding.

This consultation meeting was much better attended than recent meetings in this series so our efforts at publicity are bearing fruit.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 11 JUNE 2017

At the Sutton South Ward consultative meeting with the local police on 11 June we learned that our long serving PC, Mark Towler, is moving to other duties. There is a new policing model being adopted and our Ward will be under Sergeant Anna Smith – who also covers Cheam, Belmont and Sutton West – but with two dedicated Ward officers – Kellie Heath and Andy Peak – plus a PCSO (Laura Jagoe, who has been with us a long time but is currently on maternity leave).

We recorded our grateful thanks to Mark, who will be missed. This is a picture of Mark when he received an award for his work from Richard, during Richard’s year as Mayor.

The meeting heard that Sutton South remains a low crime area with just two house burglaries, though four garage burglaries, in the previous twelve weeks. The sector priorities remain tackling burglary, anti-social behaviour and speeding, while for our area we asked the police to continue to keep an eye on drug use at certain addresses, speeding and action to deal with all-day drinking.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 10 JANUARY 2017

Trish and Richard attended the Ward police consultative committee meeting on 10 January. The police again reported that crime in our area remains low.

In the final quarter of 2016 there were 3 residential burglaries in our Ward (down from 6 in the corresponding period a year previously), 3 non-residential burglaries (down from 7), 7 thefts from motor vehicles (down from 12) and 2 thefts of motor bikes.

The police had executed a number of drug searches in the last quarter, which they felt had had a positive impact. Priorities continue to include drugs, looking out for rough sleepers in stairwells of blocks of flats, anti-social behaviour at bus stops, speeding checks and aggressive begging around Sutton station.

The police consultative panel next meets at Christchurch hall in Christchurch Park on 9 May. This is a public meeting. See if you can come.

There were several “Speedwatch” events in the last quarter, some involving students from Overton Grange school, using a speed gun to catch and warn speeding motorists.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 12 JULY 2016

On 12 July Trish and Richard attended the police consultative group meeting for Sutton South Ward, held in the church hall at Christchurch. It is a pity these public meetings attract so few members of the public, only four tonight. The police priorities for the next quarter will include seeking Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinators at Farm Close and Audley Place, and tackling the problem of rough sleepers in Ambleside Gardens and Beauclere House, in Brighton Road. There was also discussion of the theft of bins at blocks of flats in Brighton Road and in Christchurch Park.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 19 APRIL 2016

Trish and Richard attended the Police / Community Ward panel meeting held on 19 April. The panel expressed concern over a spate of burglaries, particularly in the area of The Ridgway and Mayfield Road.

This was the first meeting for our new sergeant, Sergeant Nicholson, who was previously working in Brixton. He commented on the fact that the number of burglaries in our Ward in the previous six months was 23, compared to over 200 in the area he came from in Brixton. Despite the current spate of burglaries we remain a low crime area with residential burglaries low in number.

Priorities for the police in the immediate future will be:

• Patrolling, visits and advice in the affected area of The Ridgway, Mayfield and Cedar Road
• dealing with drugs at Sutton Court
• dealing with night sleepers at Beauclere House in Brighton Road.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 5 JANUARY 2016

Trish and Richard attended their first local meeting of 2016 when they attended the consultative panel for Sutton South Ward set up by the police, on January 5, in Christchurch hall.

The police had reported at the previous meeting that that there had been a further fall in the total number of crimes in our Ward in the most recent three month period, a fall of 1.5% compared to the period a year previously. The downward trend has continued and data were presented to the meeting to show that the number of residential and non-residential burglaries in the last four months are down compared to the figures for the corresponding period in 2014. Sutton South Ward continues to have one of the lowest crime rates in London. It will be difficult to reduce it further.

Priorities remain tackling burglary, anti-social behaviour and speeding. The police are continuing to conduct some evening and night patrols with the objective of tackling rough sleepers in certain blocks of flats.

The threat to the future of PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers, the backbone of our neighbourhood policing approach) remains a matter of concern.

An exercise to test public satisfaction with the police has found that satisfaction rates are highest in Sutton, of all London boroughs.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD POLICE/COMMUNITY PANEL MEETING 13 OCTOBER 2015

Trish and Richard attended the meeting of the consultative panel for Sutton South Ward set up by the police, on October 13, in Christchurch hall. This was the fourth meeting held in public and there was an almost full attendance of members but no members of the public.

The police reported that there had been a further fall in the total number of crimes in our Ward in the most recent three month period, a fall of 1.5% compared to the period a year previously. The police officers attending the meeting complained that this was still below the target figure set by the Mayor of London’s policing unit, but that as Sutton South Ward has one of the lowest crime rates in London it would be difficult to get down the the figures they have proposed as targets.

Priorities remain tackling burglary, anti-social behaviour and speeding. The police reminded us of their “Autumn nights” initiative to persuade residents to leave a light on if out during the evening, to create the impression the house is occupied. The police also intend to conduct some evening patrols, partly with the objective of tackling rough sleepers in certain blocks of flats.

The meeting discussed an initiative in Wandle Valley Ward called “Streetwatch” involving residents patrolling the streets. There was concern about this proposal. The threat to the future of PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers, the backbone of our neighbourhood policing approach) was also a matter of concern.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD PANEL MEETING 14 JULY 2015

A good meeting with a high turnout of panel members and some members of the public. There was a long discussion, prompted by a member of the public, of a burglary in Albion Road, and what the police meant when they say they have “closed” the case. They mean it is still to be pursued if new evidence arises. Police priorities continue to focus on vehicle speed checks and thefts from vehicles. There was praise for the talk given to Sutton South Hello! by Sergeant Coles on scams.

PANEL MEETING 29 APRIL 2015

The second meeting held in public and perhaps slightly disappointing that while there was a much better attendance of members than last time there were no members of the public.

Good news that there has been a major decline in anti-social behaviour across the Borough. Comparing the figures for crime in the Ward for the first three months of 2015 compared to the same months in the previous year burglaries of houses have fallen from 10 to 8, burglaries of garages are the same at 6, thefts from motor vehicles are down to 5 from 14, and thefts of motor vehicles down to 1 from 3.

The police have completed the promises given last time to undertake a bicycle marking scheme, to target thefts from motor vehicles at specific locations and undertake speed checks in specific roads. They agreed to provide a speaker on police matters to a meeting of Sutton South Hello! and undertake speed checks in Langley Park Road.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD PANEL MEETING 20 JANUARY 2015

A major success as the panel met in public for the first time. Only 5 members of the public came to this first meeting, attended by Trish and Richard, at Christchurch. But a good start.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD PANEL MEETING 2 OCTOBER 2014

This was not a well attended meeting. We spent part of the time discussing the recent changes to consultation arrangements introduced by the Mayor. They are not popular, and have led to the demise of the popular local Borough-wide consultative group. We discussed how we might meet in public in the future. The crime statistics presented by the police continue to show the Ward has low crime levels, with theft from vehicles one of the most common offences. Agreed priorities are burglary, theft from motor vehicles and anti-social behaviour.

PANEL MEETING 9 JULY 2014

This was the first meeting held since the election so had some different members. It was the first meeting Trish attended, but former Councillor Heather Honour is still on the panel, which we warmly applaud.

The higher level committee for the “sector” has now met. It was suggested that there is to be an even higher level committee to be formed. Priorities continue to be burglary, motor vehicle crime and assault, together with action on drugs, anti-social behaviour and traffic/speeding. There are relatively few assaults in our area, some burglaries and some motor vehicle crime.  Anti-social behaviour and speeding are seen as priorities by residents.

Crime figures were discussed a the meeting and some particular incidents. The Ward remains a low crime area but there was concern about some burglaries and cases of ASB. The police were congratulated on the success of a recent drugs operation at Sutton station. There is to be a further change of Sergeant.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD PANEL MEETING 11 DECEMBER 2013

This was the most well attended meeting for a long time.

It was somewhat dominated by a discussion of the future of the panel under proposals put forward by the Mayor’s office for Policing (MOPAC) to re-organise arrangements for the community to have a consultative dialogue with the police. Heather and Richard have expressed the view consistently that this is a step backwards and that successful arrangements in Sutton that work well will be disrupted.

The Ward panels will no longer set the policing priorities. This is a backward step.

Policing priorities for the Ward – no longer set by the local panel – are burglary, motor vehicle crime and violence with injury. This last priority is not relevant to Sutton South, which is a low crime area with few such crimes. The police agreed, at the meeting, to continue action on local priorities such as traffic and speeding.

The meeting also heard from John Withersby, who is the Licensing Sergeant for the Borough, who is concerned about drinking and anti-social behaviour in the town centre. If you have a concern about some licensed premises phone him (in confidence) on 020 8649 0796. There was also a discussion of the progress of the Neighbourhood Watch scheme in the Borough.

The police listed an impressive series of initiatives in the Ward, including what is described as “super cocooning” following burglaries – giving lots of advice and information to local people.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD PANEL MEETING 11 SEPTEMBER 2013

Heather and Richard attended the meeting of the Sutton South Ward Police Panel on 11 September. Members discussed latest crime trends. The panel sets priorities for police action in the Ward and the existing priorities were burglary (in particular theft from garages) and motor vehicle crime (in particular theft from cars). The panel decided to add a third priority, anti-social behaviour (paying particular attention to drug dealing).

PANEL MEETING 12 JUNE 2013

Heather and Richard attended the Sutton South Ward police panel on 12 June. There was discussion of current crime trends, including recent burglaries and attempted burglaries in Mayfield Road.

While the police were unable to give a reason for these incidents they commented that sometimes there is a “clustering” of crime in an area for a short period for no obvious reason, but it would be unusual for it to persist as a problem. They have moved quickly to re-assure residents and have knocked on doors in Mayfield Road, and left a feedback form where there was no-one in. If residents have any observations to make to the local police they can contact them on ztsnt-suttonsouth@met.police.uk

Also, nine local residents attended their recent street briefing.

While no-one can ever be complacent and we must all maintain our vigilance, it remains the case that this Ward is a low crime area, indeed one of the safest areas in south London. Burglary, along with theft from motor vehicles, remains a police priority for the area, but the most common form of burglary in our area is theft from garages, and residential (house) burglaries are mercifully rare.

The meeting also discussed future action on speeding, a dog seizure in Cumnor Road, a cannabis factory in Westmoreland Drive and the success of the extension of the “No Drinking Zone” to our Ward.

We also discussed the introduction of the “London Policing Model” on 24 June. While the implications are not all positive, these changes are not going to damage the excellent service we generally get from our local police.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD PANEL MEETING 6 MARCH 2013

The police were again able to report encouraging crime statistics. The figures for the year to December showed a total of 107 crimes compared to 133 for the same period in the previous year.

Burglaries had, however, increased, from 14 to 18. This reflects a rise in burglaries everywhere in Sutton. Thefts from motor vehicles were down from 17 to 9. Incidents where the police had to intervene in domestic arguments were down from 23 to 10. “Drive out” without paying from the one garage in our Ward were down from 14 to 7.

In terms of crime trends, the police were concerned about bin thefts – the large metal bins, stolen for their metal.

The meeting also discussed, inte alia, reviving the “Speedwatch” initiative, pizza delivery vehicles continuing to use the Wellesley Road passageway, people riding bikes on pavements and Metropolitan police re-organisation.

SUTTON SOUTH WARD PANEL MEETING, 5 DECEMBER 2012

The most alarming aspect of this meeting was that only 3 panel members, plus the police, turned up – the Reverend Mark Pullinger, Heather and Richard.

The figures showed crime down 19% on the figures for the same period in 2011 – burglary down, theft much the same. There were increases in assault and in harrassment (in this context, this being an umbrella term for a variety of forms of anti-social behaviour) but some of this is close to the station and, while in the Ward, not involving our residents.

Anti-social behaviour in the Ward is, overall, down. Other matters discussed included progress on the fence at the back of Forest Dene, incidents involving dogs, pizza delivery drivers, proposals we made for use of “Community Payback”, the pressure from the “centre” in London for more action on drug enforcement (which is stretching local resources), and the reasons for the decline in anti-social behaviour incidents in the Ward.

It was agreed that the priorities would continue to be burglary and motor vehicle crime.

SOUTH SUTTON WARD PANEL MEETING, 12 SEPTEMBER 2012

The meeting was chaired by our Sergeant, Geraldine Costello.

The panel congratulated the police on the latest crime figures, showing a 23% drop in crime in the year to date. There were some significant variations between categories, with assaults causing injury and harassment both up. However, there were large falls in non-residential burglaries and criminal damage, which accounted for the overall reduction. The area remains a low crime area with the police confident they are on top of the overall situation.

The panel discussed the three Ward priorities – drug use in the Brighton Road, motor vehicle crime and theft from garages. Theft from garages and motor vehicle crime have fallen but it was agreed that we want to keep it that way. It was agreed that drug dealing and use in the Brighton Road would be put into a “normal vigilance” category. Significant action also continued to be taken on theft of metal.

Other issues discussed included:

– late-night noise problems at the weekend in Cedar Road

– the application of a nightclub in Sutton town centre to extend its opening hours from 2am to 3am

– cutting of a hedge close to the ball court at Sutton Court to increase the visibility of the ball court and its surrounding area

– fencing at Sutton Court

– petrol theft from a local garage

– speeding in Cavendish Road

– security arrangements concerning certain specific and sensitive locations

– a cannabis factory in Ferndown Close.

The meeting was pleased that the local police had kept things under control when the Olympics had placed a strain on resources, though the Sergeant felt this had been less of a strain than expected. While we were pleased the Olympics were now over and demands on police resources would return to normal, we felt the police had done a superb job during the Olympics.

SOUTH SUTTON WARD PANEL MEETING, 4 JULY 2012

The meeting was chaired by our Sergeant, Geraldine Costello.

The panel congratulated the police on the latest crime figures, showing a 29% drop in crime in the year to date. The three Ward priorities were, it was agreed, unchanged as drug use in the Brighton Road, motor vehicle crime and theft from garages. Theft from garages has falllen but it was agreed that we want to keep it that way.

It was noted that the police have taken positive action on dog fouling. A particular success, of note, was to to agree an “Acceptable Behaviour Contract” with a dog owner in Cedar Road who accepted that she had let her dog foul the pavement.

The meeting also discussed how to get best value from the work of “Community Payback”, finding new members for the panel and a new Chair.

An incident of particular concern was a mugging in Mayfield Road, on which a press release had been issued by the police, as below.

“Police are appealing for the public’s help after a 30-year-old man was attacked from behind and had his Gucci watch stolen. The man was on his way home from a friend’s house at approximately 23.15hrs after watching England lose to Italy on penalties on Sunday 24th June.

He had walked from the Manor Park area, past the B & Q store and onwards into Mayfield Road when he was pulled face down on the pavement. His watch was grabbed from his wrist.

The two, or possibly three, suspects ran off towards The Ridgway.

The watch is a men’s Gucci watch, valued at £695, with a black face with four diamonds encrusted on the face marking the quarter hours, and a silver bracelet. It was a present from the victim’s partner so has sentimental value too.

Although there are no descriptions of the suspects, police are keen to speak to a white male who walked past the victim before the incident. He is described as 28 years of age, 6ft tall, with blond, short spiky hair. He was wearing jeans and blue Lacoste trainers. The victim is a black man.

Det Con Mark Cooper, of Sutton’s Burglary & Robbery Investigation Team, said police are keen to hear from this passer-by, from any witnesses who saw the incident, or from anyone who may have been offered the watch.

If you have any information that could help police with their enquiries, please call Sutton’s Burglary & Robbery Investigation Team on 020 8649 0777. Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

SOUTH SUTTON WARD PANEL MEETING. 18 APRIL 2012 

The panel welcomed Sergeant Geraldine Costello, our new sergeant, whom we share with Belmont Ward.

The latest crime statistics show Sutton South remains a low crime area and crime has, overall, fallen further, but with a small increase in residential burglaries, many from garages. There is a welcome reduction in thefts from motor vehicles and criminal damage.

The panel confirmed as police priorities for the next three months:

– theft from motor vehicles, to keep on top of this following the recent reduction

– drugs and anti-social behaviour in the Brighton Road

– garage burglaries

– support for “Operation Ferrous”, which relates to the theft and trading of scrap metal, a particular problem due to the escalation in the price of scrap metal.

The panel discussed “community payback” work by offenders. It also had a discussion of ways of improving how it represents the local community and provides information on its work, to have a better dialogue with the police on behalf of the community.

14 MARCH 2012 WARD PANEL MEETING: POSTPONED

We expressed concern at the cancellation of the Ward panel meeting arranged for 14 March. We wrote to senior police officers in Sutton as below, and received satisfactory assurances in return about future policing resources for the Ward:

“To Superintendant Phil Willis, Head of SPSS

The Sutton South Ward Panel met on 7 December.

Crime figures discussed at the meeting show Sutton South continues to be a low crime area. However, figures for the last twelve months show an increase compared to the previous period in burglaries, though a reduction in thefts from motor vehicles. The increase in burglaries is largely associated with thefts from garages. The priorities of the police for the next three months will be garage burglaries, drugs and anti-social behaviour in the Brighton Road, and thefts from motor vehicles, as we seem to be making good progress in combatting this crime. There will also be a police initiative on people phoning or texting while driving, which is very dangerous. The police also gave information on a number of initiatives associated with drugs and the operation of a brothel. Some issues of concern at earlier meetings, including street drinking, seem to be under control. The police will look out for rough sleepers sleeping in the communal areas of buildings as the weather gets colder, in particular at Beauclere House in the Brighton Road. Responding to an issue raised with him by residents, Richard mentioned an incident of a vagrant sleeping in a stairwell in a block of flats in Grange Road. The police have visited the property. There has been no repetition of the incident.

It was agreed to hold a meeting to discuss how to make the panel more representative of the community. Contact us if you have ideas.