Good Evening Here is your regular update from the St Alphege Neighbourhood Policing Team St Alphege 24th November – 2nd December 2025 Burglaries There have been no residential burglaries reported. There was a business burglary at the ONE STOP on PROPSECT LANE. At 8:50am on Thursday 27th November a male offender forced open the doors which had been secured due to staff seeing him approach and know him to be a regular shop lifter. Once inside he has selected and taken without paying an amount of laundry items. Vehicle Crime Between 11pm on Monday 24th November and 9am on Tuesday 25th a white BMW 640D was stolen from BLACKTHORNE CLOSE. It is not known how entry was gained into the car. Between 4pm and 4:45pm on Thursday 27th a white MERCEDES VITO van had its side door prised open and the driver’s side window smashed while it was parked on the overspill car park area of BANNNATYNES Gym on SAINTBURY DRIVE. Nothing was stolen. Other crimes A number of other crimes have been reported us over this period such as shoplifting, possession of cannabis, assaults, harassment, criminal damage and threats with an offensive weapon. GOOD NEWS We have held 2 speed watch sessions on SHARMANS CROSS RD where 373 vehicles were checked with 54 recorded speeding on the 20mph road and on ALDERBROOK ROAD where 2 vehicles out of 195 were recorded speeding. CRIME PREVENTION Darker Nights are now upon us so please follow these simple crime prevention guidelines. Don’t leave your house in darkness, this is a clear sign that the house could be empty. Timer switches for lamps are a useful item to use so that lighting comes on while you’re out. Wifi enabled systems can also be used to switch your lights on. And off. Please consider anti-snap locks to all outside doors. Look for at least 3 stars and the Kitemark when purchasing them. Put wheelie bins at the rear of your property away from gates and fences if you can. These can be used as a means to get over your fence and into your rear garden. If you have a side gate or a fence bordering your garden, then think about something called PRIKA STRIP. This is strips of hard rubber spikes that can be run along flat surfaces such as gates, fences and roofs, anybody attempting to climb on or over will find it difficult to put their hands on the surface due to these spikes. Remember, crime prevention is all about making it difficult for offenders to break in to your property or steal your vehicles. If they have to spend more time or make more noise than they want to they may give up and look elsewhere. As the shops start to get busier pickpockets and purse dippers will become more active in the town centre. Always make sure handbags are zipped, never leave your handbag or purse unattended on a shopping trolley, pushchair or wheelchair. Always be aware of your surroundings and the people around you when withdrawing cash. A simple tactic against this type of crime is to attach small bells to your purse so that they jingle when purses are being moved. If your vehicle is keyless entry then consider using a FARADAY pouch to put your keys in. These block the signals that are picked up by scanners. Don’t leave valuables in unattended vehicles. Tamper proof screws for number plates are a good idea to protect number plates from being stolen. Please consider a good steering lock for your vehicles, and check that your vehicle is locked before you walk away from it. Always check your FOB HAS DONE ITS JOB and has locked your vehicle. Offenders are out there at night trying the handles looking for insecure vehicles. Now that winter is coming tools will be locked away in sheds and outbuildings. Protect your sheds with good quality locks and battery operated alarms that are activated with vibrations. Chain property together so that it cannot be easily removed. Don’t leave tools in insecure sheds, these can be used to break into locked sheds. Please ensure that you have a good quality lock if you plan on leaving your bike unattended. A D lock is one such type of lock. Cheap locks are cut through in seconds and even stronger chains put up little resistance to bolt cutters. Bike theft generally increases with the better weather as people start to get out on them more. Please take 5 mins to read about ways you can prevent burglary and vehicle theft www.westmidlands.police.uk/search?q=Burglary www.westmidlands.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-vehicles-safe/Follow us on Twitter @stalphegewmp | 
