Beware the dangers of using unbooked minicabs

As part of the annual Safer Travel at Night initiative (STaN), there will be an increase in patrols and enforcement at key touting hotspots across London to deter illegal activity and help the public get home safely.

The campaign’s message is clear – any minicab that isn’t booked through a licensed minicab operator is illegal and dangerous. Drivers who offer or accept a journey are breaking the law and putting the public at risk. Unbooked minicabs are linked to serious crimes such as sexual assault and robbery, as well as not being insured to carry passengers.

See the STaN video here.

High-tech ID checks come to Hornchurch

Bar 64 was the first licensed venue to sign up to the identification initiative in Hornchurch, with the Vertigo Lounge and The Sutton Arms following suit.

The system is operated during night time economy hours, when door staff are present. The equipment validates any form of identification, such as a driving licence or passport. It has a fingerprint recognition function, which can be used if the customer wishes to return to the venue on a different date, without having to reproduce their identification documents.  

Police issue advice on firearms attacks

Following the terrorist attacks in Paris, the National Police Chiefs Council has issued a video giving advice on how to react if you find yourself in a similar situation. See the video and advice here.

On the buses

Havering Police Safer Transport Team is travelling on buses across the Borough as part of a campaign to reassure bus passengers.

Get a Watch ticking

in your road

Neighbourhood Watch’s main aims are to prevent crime, reduce the fear of crime, and improve safety.

Neighbourhood Watch acts as the eyes and ears of the community. It has been shown that Neighbourhood Watch areas are far less likely to be targeted by criminals.

For more information on how to join or set up a Havering Neighbourhood Watch Group, email Community Safety.

To receive local Neighbourhood Watch newsletters sign up here.

Find out more about Neighbourhood Watch here.

Secure your cycle

Cycles are expensive to replace and some simple steps can make them secure.

PCSO Jackie Whitelock, from Havering Police Safer Transport Team, said: "When leaving your bike use a D-lock so it is securely fastened to a cycle stand or similar object. If locking it to railings, please make sure there is enough room for pedestrians to get past.

"Please make sure you’ve added your cycle to the Bike Register so it can be returned to you if it is stolen and then recovered.

"The easiest way to join the Bike Register is by coming to a Mark it in the Market event on the first Saturday of each month, near Cycles UK in Romford Market."

The next Mark it in the Market is on Saturday 6 February.

Like on Facebook

Havering Police are on Facebook here.

and follow on Twitter

Havering Police is on Twitter and regularly tweets news and community safety advice. Follow them here.

Twitter accounts for Havering Police include:

@MPSCollierRow

@MPSCranham

@MPSGooshays

@MPSHaroldWdSgt

@MPSHeaton

@MPSMawneysSgt

@MPSPettitsSgt

@MPSRainham

@MPSRomfordTown

@MPSSquirrelsHth

@HaveringVPC

Havering Police now on Facebook

Havering Police can now be found on Facebook. The page includes details of events, convictions and crime prevention advice. Click here for more details.

Catching criminals

Crimestoppers is a confidential way of providing information about known or suspected criminal activity.

When you pass anonymous information to Crimestoppers, you're making a real difference in your community.

You can give information on 0800 555 111 or through the Online Form - both of these routes are completely anonymous and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Don't tempt thieves

Keep presents out of sight. Piles of gifts under the tree visible through a door or window are tempting to thieves.

Avoid scams and online crime

Christmas and New Year are times when online crime increases,  so advice has been issued on how to avoid becoming victims of a scam. Find out more details here.

Light up your home if going away

If you are going away over the Christmas period, even if only for one day, use timers on lights and radios to make homes look lived in.

The peak time for burglaries is between 4pm and 8pm during the winter months. Lights and radios can deter criminals from breaking in as they prefer empty houses.

Be crime aware for January sales

When shopping at the sales we often lower our guard and make it easier for thieves to target us, so please remember:

• When using an ATM protect your PIN so no-one can see it
• Don’t count your cash at the machine, but put it away securely, as quickly as you can
• Fit ‘sleigh bells’ to your handbag fastener so they alert you if someone is trying to open it
• Lock your car whenever you leave it, even when just for a minute to get your parking ticket
• Lock valuables out of sight in the boot
• If shopping on line, make sure the site has the padlock icon showing its secure before entering payment details
• If expecting deliveries when you are out, make arrangements for them to be delivered to a trustworthy neighbour or to an alternative location where you can collect them so they are not left on the doorstep.

Safer Neighbourhood Board represents you

The Havering Safer Neighbourhood Board job is to hold the Borough Police Command Unit to account for performance, and give Havering residents and victims a greater voice in setting policing priorities.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Watch the video for more information..

Stop thieves using your mobile

During the sales is always a busy time for pickpockets and mobile phones are among their top targets so register your phone, free of charge, at Immobilise to beat the thieves.

Immobilise:

• helps Police identify the owners of recovered property thousands of times everyday
• means property updates you make are immediately available to the Police nationally
• combats the sale of stolen gadgets & valuables; alert the second-hand trade and publicly checkable stolen goods database, CheckMEND, if an item goes missing
• simplifies insurance claims and Police reports with certificates of ownership.

Keeping children safe online

The Parent Zone has joined forces with Vodafone to launch a free Digital Parenting magazine for parents and anyone working with young people, to give advice on e-safety. More information available here.

Meet the SNT

Each part of Havering has its own Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) which holds meeting for residents. Some of the meetings are drop-in events where residents can chat on a one-to-one basis, while other meetings are for residents of specific streets.

Find details of your local SNT and planned meetings here.

How special can you be?

There are more than 70 members of the Special Constabulary based in Havering and the Metropolitan Police is looking to recruit more.

Find out what being a Special Constable means here.

Pictured: Two members of Havering Special Constabulary on cycle patrol.

Cuppa with a Copper

Officers from Romford Town and Squirrels Heath Neighbourhood Policing Teams will be in Costa Coffee,  83 Main Road, Romford, RM2 5EL from 11am until 12pm on the last Monday of every month. Come along to discuss any concerns or issues you may have over a cuppa.

Advice on gangs

The vast majority of young people are not involved in gangs and want nothing to do with them. However, the behaviour of the small number of young people who are involved has a significant impact on communities, on their families and associates, as well as themselves.

A leaflet has been produced giving advice and information on gangs.

Havering Police

Find out more about the work of Havering Police, including how to contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team.