Recent ward activity and updates

Morning Lower Morden,

As it's been a while since we sent some recent news I thought I'd provide a quick update.

Anti-social Behaviour

We are aware of the increased use of high powered ebikes, specifically Surron's, across the ward and in our parks. If you aren't aware a Surron is a type/make of high powered electric bike which looks like a motorbike/scrambler but is fully electric and capable of speeds upwards of 50mph+. They are illegal on public roads and are a huge problem London wide (as seen on social media). They are predominantly used by criminals to commit crime and very difficult for Police to combat. There's been multiple occasions recently where we've sighted people on these bikes and they've failed to stop but we're not authorised to pursue them. However a number of days ago on Tudor Drive we saw two males wearing full face balaclavas on a Surron. Upon seeing us they made off and whilst trying to locate them they slipped off the bike and made off on foot into Morden Park. We managed to cut them off and they were detained and searched for stolen property. Nothing was found but the rider was processed for driving not in accordance with a licence and no insurance. We also issued a S59 Police Reform Act warning which means if he's seen acting anti-socially on any vehicle in the future we can seize it.

Robbery

Last week a boy was approached by two males in Morden park by the leisure centre, they produced a knife and stole his bike and jacket. Officers on patrol in Mitcham later spotted two males matching the description of the suspects. After a short foot chase both males were detained, arrested and the stolen property recovered. 

Vehicle crime

Thefts from vehicles continue at a steady rate with 3 in September and 2 in October so far. Common themes are people leaving their vehicles unlocked by accident or a relay device is used which bounces the signal from the key remote to the car. Please remember to lock vehicles and place key remotes away from the door and behind a metal barrier (or use a faraday pouch). As vehicle crime is one of our ward priorities we will always conduct witness and CCTV appeals so please let us know if you have footage of a suspect.

Speeding

We receive reports of speeding across the entire ward but common themes are Tudor Drive and Cannon Hill Lane. Over the past month we’ve had Traffic colleagues conducting speed tests on both roads over a number of days. We also had a community road watch in Queen Mary Ave yesterday which is often used as a cut-through to/from Grand Drive. 

Kind regards

Jason