West Putney Ward - Safer Neighbourhood Team
The West Putney Ward Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) consists of:
PS 47WW Eric Ostrowski,
PC 309WW Stuart Baggaley,
PCSO 7192WW Sharon Ellis,
PCSO 7105WW Jeff Cox,
PCSO 7176WW Mike Yates

We are here specifically to address local, non-emergency issues that affect your quality of life. We are tasked with patrolling your ward, getting to know the people who live and work here and listening to the issues that are important to you. Please stop us and speak to us if you see us walking around or contact the Team on the number or email address below.

We are based at 325 Tildesley Road SW15 (In between the launderette and newsagent on the Ashburton Estate) This office is not open to members of the public, but do hold public surgeries roughly every fortnight for you to come to the office and raise any issues or problems you may be having and a chance for you to get to know us personally. Times and dates of these meetings will be on display on the notice board at the end of Dover House Road junction with Upper Richmond Road. Spread the word! (We must stress that these meetings are not for members of the public to report crime) To report crime contact Wandsworth Police Station (open 24hours a day)

Firstly the Team would like to wish everyone on the ward a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year for 2008.
As Christmas is fast approaching December is a month where we see an increase in our burglary statistics. Below is a list of crime prevention pointers that may help you from becoming a victim.

SECURING YOUR HOME

• Never leave a spare key in a convenient hiding place such as under the doormat, in a flowerpot or behind a loose brick - thieves know to look there first.
• Remove the keys and keep them out of sight and in a safe place.
• Make sure all doors and windows are locked before going out.

• Consider a letterbox cage or any other restrictor to prevent thief’s form reaching to the door look and looking onto your property.

• If possible try not to leave valuable items or Xmas presents in display of windows.

• Try to remember to leave a light on in the hallway or a porch light before you go out.

• If you are going away for the Xmas period then try to get your post collected by a friend or neighbour and cancel your milk delivery!

What’s been happening in your ward?

Vehicle Crime On The Ward

Over the last couple of months, the ward has experienced an increase in motor vehicle crime. Specifically theft from cars and criminal damage. We touched on the car crime around the Dover House Road area in the last edition of the newsletter and we have not had any recent reports of wing mirrors being damaged.

Attention All dog Owners
West Putney ward is home to many dog owners and encompasses a number of open spaces where members of the public enjoy walking their pets. Unfortunately, in recent months we have received a number of reports of anti-social behaviour by dog owners who are not controlling their pets properly. West Putney SNT are working in close collaboration with officers from the Met Police Dogs Unit, the RSPCA and officers from Wandsworth Council’s dog control unit to tackle this problem. Any complaints from members of the public regarding dangerous dogs will be fully investigated and if dog owners are found to have committed offences then they will be prosecuted.

If you have information about dangerous dogs or irresponsible dog owners then please contact a member of the team.

Crime Figures

For a full West Putney breakdown www.met.police.uk/crimefigures

CRACKING DOWN ON ANTI-SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

Over the past few months West Putney SNT has made significant efforts to identify those individuals believed to be responsible for anti-social behaviour on the ward and take action against them. Tackling anti-social behaviour is one of the Team’s top priorities.
Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABC’s) have been used by the team as a way of curbing anti-social behaviour before it escalates into more serious levels of criminal behaviour.
What is an Acceptable Behaviour Contract (ABC)?
An ABC is a voluntary written agreement between a young person, usually aged between 10 and 18, and the local housing office and police. Under the ABC, the young person agrees not to be involved with certain specified anti-social acts. The contract normally lasts for six months. If breached, it can be used as evidence if enforcement action needs to be taken through the courts.
Why an ABC?
ABC’s aim to ensure that young people who behave anti-socially take responsibility for their actions and improve their behaviour. They are made aware of their impact on other people’s lives and are warned of the consequences for them and their family, should their anti-social behaviour continue.

Our first priority is to stop the bad behaviour. During the ABC interview, we may be able to offer diversion projects, for example through local youth clubs, mentoring or counselling. The aim is to steer young people away from causing problems and towards a better lifestyle.
What could the contract include?
The ABC spells out the behaviour that the young person has agreed not to engage in. For example, this may include:
• Writing graffiti or causing damage to any property
• Being verbally abusive or acting in a manner that is likely to cause alarm or distress to any person
• Congregating in groups in stairwells and communal areas
• Dropping rubbish or litter
What happens if the ABC is breached?
Serious breaches of the ABC may lead to enforcement action. This may include applying to the court for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) or seeking a possession order to evict the young persons family from their home. If a family is evicted for this reason, they are unlikely to be offered further housing by the Council.

In recent months the team has issued six ABC’s to individuals on the ward. We have found this to be an effective strategy in tackling youth disorder and we are intending to issue several more in the near future.

If you are experiencing Anti-Social Behaviour in your street then please contact the team.
Surgery Dates

Wednesday 12th December 2007	1200-1300
Thursday 10th January 2008	1600-1700
Thursday 24th January 2008	1200-1300
Thursday February 7th 2008	1200-1300

The next Public Meeting will be… Thursday 21st February 2008 at 7pm in the Educational Suite at Queen Mary’s Hospital

 
December 7, 2007