For background, there is a group of two/three guys who frequently break into cars in Chiswick - and in Hammersmith. As mentioned above, they use torches to look determinedly and intently around the inside of the car. Tinted windows make no difference to them. They also might have a piece of kit that tells them if there is anything in the car or boot that runs on batteries (computers, phones, etc) to indicate if it is worth breaking in. They are on bikes which means they have a quick getaway. The police are fully aware and have videos taken by locals - though the guys are usually fully covered up and wear neutral dark clothes so are hard to identify. Also, as mentioned above, taking action requires a covert operation that takes into account the thieves' ability to get away fast. It's not as simple as having a presence, hoping to be in the right road when a theft takes place. The single most important point is to leave nothing in your car that might tempt a thief. I know of one person whose car was broken into recently on Town Hall Avenue who tucked a bag of stuff very much out of sight, he thought, believing that his car's tinted windows would be a deterrent; he came back from a meeting to find his car had been broken into and the hidden-from-sight bag containing his computer stolen. Nothing is hidden and everything is potentially theft-worthy.If your car is broken into, please report it to the police; it will reach the local police team which needs to know the prevalance and patterns of these car break-ins. There has been quite a bit of criticism of reporting via 101 (particularly the length of time it takes to get through) so you might prefer to report it online. Please add videos or other evidence: https://www.met.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/At the 16th October public meeting with the police, organised by my councillor colleague Ranjit Gill, the borough commander chief superintendent Sean Wilson stressed the value of RING doorbells which record movements nearby, asking residents who can afford it to pay the monthly fee (£3.50) for the recording function. If you or your neighbour can provide video recordings of a car break-in or other crime, it could be extremely helpful to the police.
Joanna Biddolph ● 515d