REPORTS FROM THE RECORDER & ADVERTISING RATES
The Riddlesdown Recorder
On Line
PLANNING APPLICATIONS
PLANNING ADVICE ON
USEFUL LOCAL INFORMATION & LINKS
Information on Local Healthcare, Leisure,
Transport -
Community Page
(Things to do, join and help with)
ABOUT THE
RIDDLESDOWN
RESIDENTS’ ASSOCIATION
ABOUT RIDDLESDOWN
AND ITS COMMON
LOCAL POLICE CONTACT INFORMATION
AND
CBNWA DETAILS
ADVICE FROM THE POLICE AND TOP TIPS TO SECURE YOUR
FOR ALL EMERGENCIES -
POLICE AND CRIME REPORTING -
To also report a crime, anti social behaviour, traffic accident (and lost and stolen vehicles), fraud, lost and found property, missing person, civil dispute etc, go to ‘Report’ on the Metropolitan Police Website; met.police.uk
Updated 16/3/19
LOCAL SAFER NEIGHBOURHOOD TEAM’S (SNT)
Not sure which SNT Ward you are now located in? Then look at the list of streets in the RRA area (scroll down below the map).
(most of the roads in the RRA area to the west of St Edmund’s Church, and including Lower Barn Rd; Mitchley Ave (west of St Edmund’s), Buttermere Gdns, Derwent Drive, Honister Hts etc, Riddlesdown Collegiate, Brancaster Lane, Riddlesdown Rd & Ave etc).
PO&R CONTACT DETAILS
Telephone; 07584 186578 -
Website: Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown
E-
Twitter @MPSpurleyOaks
MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS
Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown Police Newsletter July 2023 Updated 4/8/22
Theft from motor vehicle leaflet -
Burglary leaflet -
Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown Police Newsletter July 2022 Updated 6/8/22
Police advice about theft from motor vehicles
Police advice on catalytic converter thefts
Note -
Police advice about storing of keyless fobs
DIY home security survey -
The Little Booklet of Phone Scams -
Contact Point Meetings
Tuesday 28th November 12.00-
Tuesday 12th December 10.00-
Wednesday 3rd January 16.00-
Monday 15th January 10.00-
Ward Panel Meeting
Wednesday 7th February 18.30hrs Christ Church, Brighton Rd, Purley
Bike marking event, Riddlesdown Common car park
On Friday 24th November 10.00-
A request from the Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown SNT
22/7/22:
"Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown Ward -
Dear Ward Member,
Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown Ward Panel are looking for new members to join the panel. We meet every 3 months and convey community concerns, ensure accountability, and set priorities with the local Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT). If you are interested in local issues and would like to join the Ward Panel, please email PurleyOaksandRiddlesdownSNT@met.police.uk for further information.
Please can everyone try and send to anyone who you think be interested.
Kind Regards,
Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown SNT "
(most of the roads in the RRA area to the east of St Edmund’s Church and including Copthorne Rise, Westfield Ave, Rectory Park, Hyde Rd, Mitchley Ave (east of St Edmund’s), Mitchley Hill, Tandridge Gardens, Holmwood Ave etc).
SANDERSTEAD CONTACT DETAILS
Tel: 020 8721 2470 -
Website: Sanderstead SNT
Email: SNMailbox.SandersteadSNT@met.police.uk
Twitter @MPSSanderstead
MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS
Sanderstead Police Newsletter October 2023 Updated 4/11/23
Bike marking event, Riddlesdown Common car park
On Friday 24th November 10.00-
Sanderstead Police Newsletter Sept 2023 Revised by Police Updated 13/10/23
Sanderstead Police Newsletter Aug 2023 Updated 22/9/23
Police advice on catalytic converter thefts
Contact Point
CANCELLED BY THE POLICE; Costa Coffee, Limpsfield Rd on Friday 20 October at 10.30am.
Ward Panel Meeting
At St Anthony’s Hall, Wentworth Way on Tuesday 28 November at 6.30pm
Ways to contact the Police
Police advice on catalytic converter thefts
Note -
How to Report Crime & Anti Social Behaviour details
Scams advice during coronavirus outbreak
Advice from the Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown Ward SNT
3/3/20
10 tips to help you beat the scammers
“In our next crime advice segment we are going to cover 10 tips to help you beat the scammers.
1. Be suspicious of all "too good to be true" offers and deals. There are no guaranteed get-
2. Do not agree to offers or deals immediately, Insist on time to obtain independent/legal advice before making a decision.
3. Do not hand over money or sign anything until you have checked the credentials of the company or individual
4. Never send money to anyone you do not know or trust, whether in the UK or abroad, or use methods of payment that you are not comfortable with.
5. Never give banking or personal details to anyone you do not know or trust. This information is valuable so make sure you protect it
6. Always log on to a website directly rather than clicking on links provided in an email
7. Do not rely on glowing testimonials, find solid independent evidence of success
8. Always get legal/independent advice if the offer involves money
9. If you have been scammed or spot a scam please report it and get help. Contact Action Fraud
10. Do not be embarrassed to report a scam. Scammers are cunning and clever there is no shame in being deceived. A lot of the time they catch us off guard and we make a quick decision which is not ideal. Report them to make it difficult for them to deceive others.”
PURLEY & WOODCOTE SNT
(in the RRA area, these roads are only; the top end of Downs Court Rd (from the bend at Mitchley Ave) and Cranford Close).
PURLEY & WOODCOTE CONTACT DETAILS
Tel: 07769 135246-
Website link: Purley & Woodcote SNT
Email: PurleyandWoodcote.SNT@met.police.uk
Twitter @MPSPurley
MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS
Sept 2023 Newsletter -
Aug 2023 Newsletter -
May 2023 Newsletter -
The Little book of Cyber scams -
ADVICE FROM THE POLICE AND TOP TIPS TO SECURE YOUR
Contact Point
Coffee with a copper will be held at O’Farol, 945 Brighton Road, CR8 2BP on Thursday 26th October 2023 between 1800-
Ward Panel Meeting
On 15th November 2023
Location and time —TBC.
Advice received from Sanderstead SNT about Motor Vehicle Crime Prevention
(in pdf)
Anti Social Behaviour -
For Police Advice on Home Protection click on this Link
For advice on Car & Bicycle Protection, click on this Link
ABOUT 112
Need help? 112 is your life-
112 is the European emergency phone number, available everywhere in the EU, free of charge.
It is possible to call 112 from fixed and mobile phones to contact any emergency service: an ambulance, the fire brigade or the police.
When a person dials 112, a specially trained operator will answer the call. Depending on the national organisation of emergency services, the operator will either deal with the request directly or transfer the call to the most appropriate emergency service.
Operators in many countries can answer the calls not only in their national language, but also in English or French. If the caller does not know where he is, the operator will identify where the person making the call is physically located and will pass it to the emergency authorities so that these can help immediately.
112 operators do not provide traffic and weather reports, general information or answers to queries. Calling 112 as a joke or calling and then hanging up is considered a hoax call. Hoax calls not only waste the time and money of the emergency operators, but can also be dangerous. If 112 lines or call operators are busy with hoax calls, someone with a real emergency may not be able to get the help needed. In most countries, it is a criminal offence to make hoax 112 calls and a person can be judged for that.
112 does not replace the existing (UK 999) national emergency number. In most countries, it operates alongside them. However, Denmark, Finland, the Netherlands, Portugal, Sweden, Malta and Romania have opted for 112 as their main national emergency number.
WATCH ASSOCIATION
Office usually covered Monday to Friday 10.00hrs to 14.00hrs Tel: 020 8555 1200 Extension 37637. Please do not report any crimes on this number, as there is no Police staff to process crime reports at this address.
Would you like to become a Neighbourhood Watch Co-
Smart water kit available for Neighbourhood Watch -
Some useful contact details.
Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111
Age UK Croydon 020 8683 7100
Croydon Trading Standards 020 8407 1311
E-
Action Fraud 0300 123 2040 Website
Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown Ward -
New 2/1/20
As posted on 31 December (crime reports above), the Purley Oaks and Riddlesdown SNT have reported there has been thefts of two Range Rover Vogue's locally, in late December.
They have given out this advice for owners of all keyless entry vehicles:
"Dear Residents
Please below advice I have put together for you regarding keyless car thefts. We had two over the Xmas period and they were both Range Rover Evoque's
Preventing keyless car theft
What is keyless car theft?
The process criminals use to steal a car via keyless theft – also known as relay theft – is relatively simple. First, they buy a relay amplifier and a relay transmitter. They identify a house with a nice car parked outside and, by using these gadgets, can detect whether the car features keyless entry and go. One criminal then stands by the car with his transmitter, while a second waves his amplifier around the perimeter of the house. If the car key is close enough the amplifier will detect its signal, amplify it and send it to the accomplice’s transmitter. This transmitter then effectively becomes the key, and tricks the car into thinking the real key is nearby, whereupon the thieves are able to open the car, get in and drive away. The whole process can take as little as 60 seconds and can be completed in near silence
How to prevent it?
• Owners shouldn’t forget to take standard security measures, ensuring their car is properly locked and keeping keys far away from doors and windows
• Investigate whether it’s possible to switch their key’s signal off, as some offer this function – though it’s not always obvious. Check your manual to find out if your key has this function, or ask your dealer if it the system can be disabled.
• You could purchase a security device such as a steering wheel lock, a driveway parking post, or even a wheel clamp. Even if the thieves are able to access and start your car, these should prevent them from driving away – and many criminals will consider bypassing these too much hassle.
• Tracking device.
• Consider purchasing a Faraday pouch to keep your car key in. These pouches contain signal-
David Eaton, PCSO Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown SNT"
Updated 31/3/21
In relation to this crime as detailed below the Croydon Police have issued this update from Inspector Warnes on 30 March 2021.
Police operation to stop thefts of catalytic converters
Met Police website information on 23 March 2021
–-
Following a large number of thefts of catalytic converters (Cat) locally, the RRA again wrote to our MP Chris Philp in early November 2020 and again in January 2021 to raise our residents concern about this crime.
The Purley Oaks & Riddlesdown and Sanderstead SNT Wards have been hit with high number of Cat thefts. And now it is not just hybrid vehicles like the older models of Toyota Prius and Auris, the Honda Jazz and Accord and Lexus RX 400 models being targetted, but other older petrol models like the Honda CR-
The cutting off of the Cats is usually over within 25 seconds (if the vehicles don't have to be jacked up) and the thieves can be gone within 45 to 60 seconds!
There is anger, distress, and annoyance from residents and of course a huge cost in replacing the exhaust system -
It appears Cat thefts from supermarket carparks are fairly common and in some cases you maybe followed home from these locations, for the theft to happen on your property, or in the street outside.
A recent FOI request to the Met Police highlighted the variety of manufacturers of vehicles affected through out the Met Police area (there is a breakdown of manufacturers on this link).
January 2021 response from Operation Basswood to Chris Philp MP
“Thank you for your email.
South BCU is currently running Operation Basswood. This initiative targets Catalytic Converter thefts and those committing the crime. We are one of the few (if not only) MPS area to be doing this. The initiative is twofold, the first being the proactive element. Obviously this is difficult to go into in detail but there are a variety of operations ongoing and some bigger pieces of work in the pipeline. We are working closely with other BCUs within the MPS but also external forces, particularly Sussex, Surrey and BTP. I can tell you that there has been nearly 20 arrests over the past few months, with some offenders being sent to Crown Court for trial.
We have also forged a strong working partnership with Toyota, who’s assistance has been invaluable. They have provisionally agreed to provide funding towards local prevention initiatives (which could be a form of Catalytic Converter marking scheme) among other types of assistance.
From a reactive point of view, Operation Basswood takes ownership and oversight of every investigation. All victims should have some form of contact with the team. If you are not aware already Operation Basswood have their own e-
Work is being carried out with local Councils and the Environment Agency and as part of this there has been a review of scrap dealers licences. Visits to local scrap dealers are being conducted and there has been some minor action surround environmental breaches. Online sales or advertising of catalytic converters is also being monitored.
However, it must be remembered that prevention is better than cure and until the car manufacturers design out the ease of stealing the catalytic converters this problem will not go away. Several manufacturers, including those regularly targeted, have vehicles where the catalytic converter is almost impossible to steal by the roadside. These designs need to be incorporated into all vehicles. The public can bring pressure to bear on the manufacturers by refusing to buy cars that are susceptible to catalytic converter theft”.
November 2020 response from Operation Basswood
Following our recent correspondence with Chris Philp, we have via him, received a response back from the team at Operation Basswood of the Met Police. In summary this response is below:
"Catalytic Converters thefts are a national issue but as you quite rightly point out there has been a sharp rise over the past year, particularly in the local area. With the added distraction of XR and Covid it has been a challenging year for all. I am hoping I can give you a brief overview of what we are doing and offer some reassurance that we are making every effort to reduce these numbers and prosecute offenders.
I am overseeing Operation Basswood – this is South Area (Bromley, Sutton, Croydon) initiative to target Catalytic Converter thefts, we are one of the few (if not only) Met Boroughs to do this. Our role is twofold, the first being the proactive element. Obviously this is difficult for me to go into details, but there are a variety of deployments ongoing and there are some bigger pieces of work in the pipeline. We are working closely with other Boroughs within the Met but also external forces, particularly Sussex, Surrey and BTP. I can tell you that there has been nearly 20 arrests over the past few months, with some offenders being sent to Crown Court for trial. Some recent arrests in September no doubt contributed to the 48% drop in these thefts that month.
We have also forged a strong working partnership with Toyota, who have been invaluable, they have even provisionally agreed to provide some funding towards some local Prevention initiatives (which could be a form of Catalytic Converter marking scheme).
From a reactive point of view, we take ownership and oversight of every investigation. I am hoping that some of your neighbours will have contact from us. If you are not aware already we have an email address: opbasswood@met.police.uk Please circulate this to your residents, we would be keen to hear of any suspicious activity or any CCTV etc that may be of use.
In regards to your point surrounding the Scrap Metal Act and where these Catalytic Converters are being sold. That is the million dollar questions, I am afraid at this time, we just don’t know. We have been completing work with both Croydon Council and the Environment Agency. As part of this there has been a review of Scrap Dealers Licences, although Covid has interfered we have completed two separate visits to all Scrap Dealers in the local area. There has been some minor action surrounding some environmental breaches but nothing further I am afraid. We do monitor the online sales or advertising of Catalytic Converters, some of these can be misleading though. Different manufacturers uses different amounts of precious metals, so a catalytic converter from say a Ford Fiesta could be only £50 scrap, compared to a Hybrid Toyota Prius being around £300.
I am hoping this goes some way to answering some of your queries and points. Please encourage the local residents to report these thefts as soon as they become aware, especially if they are in they are still in progress. We will gladly look at any intelligence on offer, however big or small."
In addition Toyota have issued this comment on a recent Facebook post to them about this crime:
"Toyota is very concerned with the sharp rise in the organised theft of catalytic converters from vehicles in the UK which is affecting our customers. Our first priority is to do all we can to support customers who have been victims of this crime and we have taken measures to increase replacement parts supply as quickly as we can. We've also taken the following actions: Engaged with Home Office, Local MPs, Met Police (OVCU) and the Assistant Chief Constable of Cheshire Police (Jenny Sims) who is also the National Lead for all vehicle crime. Criminals have been targeting older Toyota hybrids due to the high content of precious metals within the catalytic converter. As our combustion engines have become cleaner and our hybrid systems have become more efficient, we have reduced the precious metal content by up to 84%, meaning they are no more attractive to thieves than any other car. We also have deterrent devices available through our centres."
We hope this helps our residents who own the make/models most at risk. The RRA's advice is wherever possible when at home, to park your vehicle in a garage and if you see a theft happening call 999 immediately.
Updated 20/5/21
A number of people have been seen riding on the roads of Riddlesdown lately on e-
The London e-
Unless the e-
The Metropolitan Police offer advice and guidance on this link:
The local SNT's are aware of this issue locally.