Wandsworth Safer Transport Team Newsletter

Personal safety tips, Safer Transport Activity and a good bicycle buyer’s guide

Associated Articles

If you have concerns about issues on your transport contact:
STT.Wandsworth@met.police.uk
Phone: 07787697871
In an emergency dial 999
www.met.police.uk/teams

Participate

If you would like to volunteer as a special constable or police cadet please contact your Safer Transport Team.

Useful Contact Numbers:
In an Emergency always call 999

Confidential Anti-Terrorism Hotline: If you suspect it report it. 0800 789 321

Metropolitan Police Service Non-Emergency number -
0300 123 1212

If you have information about any crime you would prefer to give anonymously call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Your Wandsworth Safer Transport Team is part of the Metropolitan Police Service’s Safer Transport Command, which is funded by Transport for London (TfL).

We know it’s important for you to feel safe when travelling, that’s why we are committed to working with TfL and providing a visible presence to make your transport network an even safer and more secure environment for all.

Personal Safety Tips

Tips to help you stay safe: We are fully supporting National Personal Safety Day on Monday 11th October 2010 in conjunction with the Suzy Lamplugh Trust. It is an annual event aimed at raising awareness of common sense, practical solutions that everyone can use to help avoid violence and aggression in today's society. It has been running for the last 9 years and it is gradually growing and reaching more and more people each year.

The Suzy Lamplugh Trust is a respected organisation that has done a lot of good work in recent years. The MPS has agreed to support this year's National Personal Safety Day campaign.

Stay Alert - Remember, if you are wearing headphones or chatting on your mobile phone you will be distracted from your surroundings and will not hear trouble approaching.

Invest in a personal safety alarm – These can be used to shock and disorientate an attacker giving you vital seconds to get away.

Make sure you avoid danger spots - Stick to busy well lit streets whenever possible and avoid quiet or badly lit alleyways, subways or isolated parks or waste grounds. Take the safer route, even if it’s longer.

Plan Ahead - Know where you’re going and the best way to get there. Whenever possible, avoid long waiting times at bus stops and stations by checking the arrival times before leaving home.

Listen to your instincts - If you feel threatened, head for a safe place where there are lots of people, such as a pub, shop, garage etc.

Ensure you take the same precautions wherever you are - It’s natural to feel more relaxed and comfortable in your own neighbourhood than when you are in an unfamiliar area but it’s important not to get complacent about your personal safety when close to home.

For more safety tips go to www.suzylamplugh.org

Our Current Transport Priorities
Issues that we are working on:
• Taxi Touting in the Clapham Junction Hub
• Most Serious Violence in Tooting
• Cycle Thefts Borough Wide
• Pick Pocketing in Tooting

Dates for your Diary…
Why not come along to one of these events?
What: Drop In Surgery - Tooting Islamic Centre
If you need to speak with a member of the team, catch up on the latest developments in the area or have your property marked please pop along.
When: Saturday 02nd October 2010 from 1130 - 1330 hours.
Where: Islamic Centre, Upper Tooting Road, SW17

Safer Transport Activity
Our recent activity and achievements

Operation Safebus 2
Officers from Wandsworth Safer Transport Team assisted by colleagues from Safer Neighbourhoods Teams, Transport for London Revenue Protection Inspectors (RPI’s) and Safer Schools recently took part in Operation Safebus 2 - a high visibility operation taking place across London’s buses during school holiday periods - when there is traditionally a peak in anti-social behaviour. A number of arrests were made and a number of prosecutions issued by the RPI’s for fare evasion and fraud.

Good bicycle buyer’s guide
Online markets like Ebay and Gumtree are great places to buy second hand bicycles, however this is where many stolen bikes are sold. If you buy a stolen bike, not only could you have the bike seized from you - meaning you lose the money you paid for the bike, but you could be prosecuted by the Police for handling stolen goods.
The MPS Safer Transport Command (STC) and Transport for London (TfL) have launched a dedicated Cycle Task Force to reduce cycle theft and improve cycle security across London. They are working to create an environment where all cyclists and potential cyclists feel safe and secure to enjoy cycling in London. This includes investigating and tackling organised bicycle theft and disrupting the market and trade in stolen and second hand bikes and parts.
So before you buy a second hand bike, please consider the following:
• Always inspect a bike thoroughly before bidding, and if you’re not an expert, ask a knowledgeable friend for help.
• Does the bike have its original paintwork or has the frame number been tampered with? Thieves alter the appearance of bikes, to disguise it from the legitimate owner.
• Check the bike’s frame number on all national property databases.
• Check how much the seller knows about the bike.
• Check to see if it has been property marked.
• Meet the buyer at a fixed home or work address. Be wary of meeting buyers in a public place.
• Is the price of the bike at market value? If something seems too good to be true, it usually is….

As part of their move to improve cycle security, the Cycle Task Force regularly set up engagement stalls offering free security marking and advice to the public on how to register their bike details. Security marking your bike deters potential thieves as your bike can be easily traced if it is stolen.

Want to make your bike more safe and secure? Come along to any of the Cycle marking events:
8-10 October - All day Cycle Show Earls Court, Earls Court Exhibition Centre, Warwick Road, London, SW5 9TA

As well as security marking your bike, you can also personally register your bicycle details for free online with property database companies. By taking these simple steps it is easier for police to trace and recover your bike in the event that it gets stolen.
1. Record your bike frame number which you will find underneath at the bottom bracket axle in between the pedals
2. Record any unique/distinguishing features about your bike - scratches, alterations etc.
3. Register your details online with these three services: Immobilise (Immobilse.com) Bike Register (Bikeregister.com) and Bike Revolution (Bikerevolution.org)

September 30, 2010