Press Release

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR BELONGINGS – COUNCIL AND POLICE URGE PUBLIC

05/02/07

Top tips on how to prevent yourself being a victim of street crime are being drummed home to the public during a month-long campaign.

Overall robberies fell by 29 per cent in 2005/06 compared with 2002/03. However, since April 2006 incidents of personal robbery have increased by 21 per cent, and thefts such as pick pocketing have seen a rise of 17 per cent (1).

Officers from Camden’s Community Safety Partnership (2) - which includes Camden Council and the police - will visit several different venues throughout February that have been identified as the top places for pick pocketing and bag snatches. (3)

Officers will hand out information on how to keep safe and stop potential thieves in their tracks, with top tips including:

Keeping your bag where you can see or feel it
Use clips under the table where available to hang your bags
Keep your mobile with you, and if using it in public be aware of who's around you
Never leave your laptop unattended.

The council, in partnership with the police, have already held several events in the community and at schools urging people to register their mobile equipment, including phones, laptops and MP3 players, free on www.immobilise.com.

By registering items on the nationwide website police can access the owner’s details via a central database enabling them to return any lost or stolen goods. Throughout the campaign police officers will be randomly checking people’s mobile phones and other electronic equipment across the borough to ensure they are the rightful owner by using the immobilise system.

Several cycle awareness days are being held to give owners practical advice on how to keep their bike secure, including locking the frame and both wheels to a bike stand, and using a sturdy lock. This aims to build on the 17 per cent decrease on previous year.

The Community Safety Partnership also wants to warn people about the consequences of false reporting, a criminal offence. There has been a 10 per cent reduction in false reporting in Camden following work by the Borough’s Crime Integrity Team (4). Some 60 Penalty Notices for Disorder (PNDs) have been issued for wasting police time and 25 people have received warnings for false reports. A further 23 PNDs have been issued for false allegations of bag snatches.

Cllr Ben Rawlings, Camden Council’s Executive Member for Community Safety, said:

“Crime happens when a willing perpetrator finds a vulnerable target and has the opportunity to commit an offence without being detected. We need to tackle all three aspects of this, through consistent and reliable enforcement, intervention, and by helping people make themselves and their property less vulnerable.

“By following some simple tips to make yourself less vulnerable, such as keeping your bag close and never leaving your mobile phone on view, it could prevent you from being a victim of crime.”

Detective Chief Insp of Camden Dave Cobb said:

“By working together with the council and the public, we can minimize the chances of becoming victims by adopting some simple, but effective habits. Bags should be placed over your head and arm and kept to the front of your body, keep your mobile secure to your body and try not to use your mobile whilst walking around in the street as it could easily be snatched from you. Stay alert and be aware of the people around you.

“It is so important to register your valuables on www.immobilise.com, as there is a higher chance of my officers being able to return stolen items to victims. By taking these few steps towards your personal safety, hopefully, you will be much less likely to become a victim of street crime