Local Priorities Vandalism/ graffiti Message

I wanted to provide an update regarding Vandalism/ graffiti, which members around this area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the Met Engage priority survey.

We have been made aware of an incident that took place on the 18th of January at approximately 09:24am where two car were vandalised by having their rear window smashed. It is thought to be a random attack and nothing was stolen. CCTV recovered shows footage of a white male around 25 - 35 years old, approximately 6 feet tall, with dark short hair and bearded. He was wearing a long black puffer jacket, grey track suit bottoms and dark trainers. If any residents saw a male fitting this description we ask them to get in touch ringing 101 or reporting on line.

We want to ensure everyone is able to keep their property safe from vandalism or defacement in your local area. As such, through conversations with homeowners, members of the public, police officers and staff we’ve collated our 5 Top Tips for safeguarding a property. Please see the advice listed below:

• Stay visible: Having a property that can’t be seen from the street may make it more susceptible to being a target of vandalism. Make sure you are limiting places around your property where vandals can hide. 
• Create a fence/boundary: By doing this, you’re creating a visible barrier that works as a reminder that if someone crosses uninvited, they would be trespassing. 
• Keep it secure: Evaluate your property and be sure to safeguard vulnerable points such as ground floor windows with one-metre high sharp, prickly bushes. 
• Extra security: If you have a surface which anyone can sit on – like a ledge or a low wall – some carefully placed plants can work as a good deterrent. Also, you can secure the side and rear boundary of your property with a two-metre-high fence topped with a trellis.
• Keep it tidy: If the property looks untidy, some people won’t think twice about adding to it or simply hanging around in the area. We would advise you not to leave rubbish, ladders, wheelie bins or anything else that could be used for burglary or vandalism in the property's vicinity. 

For more advice and up-to-the-minute information about the latest crime prevention products, visit Secured by Design – an official police security initiative.

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