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I wanted to provide an update regarding theft from motor vehicles, which members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey. Met hosts tool marking event in Havering to crackdown on tool theft
The Met is working with industry partners to protect tradespeople from tool theft by offering free forensic marking kits.
Local officers in Havering held a tool marking event outside B&Q in Romford on Tuesday, 7 October. They were accompanied by partners, including SelectaDNA, which produces the kits.
Inspector Mark Connolly, from the Met's neighbourhood policing team in east London, said:
“The Met is stepping up its efforts to clamp down on tool theft as part of its continued commitment to reducing crime across London.
“This is the second successful tool marking event organised by local officers in Havering. In total, more than 45 kits were given out throughout the day. Each kit is able to mark up to 50 tools. That’s potentially more than 2,000 tools forensically marked.
“We are dedicating more resource to this type of crime in order to secure more convictions and increase the chances of reuniting victims with their stolen tools.
“Through our local policing efforts, neighbourhood crime across London is down 15.5 per cent this year.”
SelectaDNA works by applying an invisible liquid solution to tools that has a unique DNA code. These markings then appear under UV light. Once marked, tools are less attractive to criminal gangs to sell on and can be linked back to their owners.
Havering Council also sponsored the event and funded the kits.
Officers were also accompanied by several other partners at the tool marking event including: On The Tools, Fix Radio, CT1, DeWALT, Armorgard Vehicle security, TVL Security, Valspar Trade, Bostik, The Snag List Eliminator, The Gas Expert, Stolen Tools UK, Trademark Digital and Rhino Trade Insurance.
 Having personal items stolen from your vehicle is an upsetting experience, and we are determined to find and arrest those who break the law. We will keep you updated with what we are doing to tackle this in your area, but in the meantime, please follow the below advice to help protect your belongings. Check that your vehicle is locked and secure every time you leave it. Thieves often look for easy opportunities to steal from vehicles. They will usually try the handles until they get lucky and find one that has been left unlocked. Keep your keys safe, out of view when at home and away from your front door. If you have a keyless entry vehicle, keep the key well away from the vehicle while at home and turn off wireless signals on your fob when it’s not being used. Consider putting the keys in a screened or signal blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag and check that it is still working every few months. Remove all items from view by taking them with you or putting them in the boot out of sight. Thieves will look for any items on display. Things like clothes, documents or an old bag might not seem like valuables, but they could still tempt a thief. Ensure you remove all other clues there might be valuables linked to the car, such as phone chargers or sat-nav mounts. Park your vehicle in a private garage if you can. If you do not have access to one, try to park in a well –lit open space. Try to use public car parks that are part of the police approved Park Mark safer parking scheme. Secure your number plates with tamper resistant screws to avoid them being stolen and used by others.
If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at crimestoppers-uk.org. We are working on our brand-new strategy for how we police London and we want your help. Our New Met for London: Phase 2 strategy will guide how we deliver on behalf of Londoners over the next three years. | 
