Tower Hamlets Council and the Met Police carried out patrols and engagement events to raise awareness about vehicle crime during a targeted week of activity.
Vehicle Crime Awareness Week aims to ensure residents keep their cars, and the valuables within it, safe from thieves.
Officers from the Met Police and the council’s Community Safety Team engaged with 70 businesses and 90 members of council staff, and gave out 60 Blue Badge anti-theft devices.
Crime prevention leaflets and more than 100 faraday bags, which help prevent keyless car thefts, were delivered to those living in vehicle crime hotspots,
During their high-visibility patrols as part of the week, five arrests were made for possession with intent to supply, theft, robbery, and failing to appear on court bail. Four vehicles were also seized for no insurance.
Inspector Paul Oladimeji said:
“This week of action has yielded positive results and has helped to increase trust and confidence in police.
“This joint initiative has provided many opportunities to share crime prevention advice with our community but also highlight the proactive work officers are doing to tackling motor vehicle crimes.
“The Met Police is currently experiencing a huge strain on its resources due to the local response to the ongoing Middle East conflict, however, we will continue to work with partners to crackdown on motor vehicle crimes as it impacts the local community.”
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said:
“Car thefts and the theft of items from cars can have a huge financial impact on victims.
“However, there are some steps we can all do to help protect our possessions, including keeping keys to keyless cars in faraday bags, storing car keys out of sight, ensuing no valuables are left in our cars overnight, and taking extra security measures to protect our cars, like using a steering wheel lock.
“As well as this, we will be working hard with our police colleagues to arrest the criminals who are targeting our community’s vehicles and ensure those who are victims can see the perpetrators brought to justice.”
Posted on Thursday 21st December 2023