Burglary Alert!

There have been a couple of burglaries around Ennismore Gardens. On each occasion the suspect has accessed via the front door by slipping the 'Yale' type latch. On each occasion the mortice lock has not been applied, this includes a person on holiday for a week!
 
Could you please use the mortice lock even when you are indoors as most burglaries are happening during the day.

Madeline Elsdon
Chairman
Law and Order Committee
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29 April 2014

Group Dispersal Zone Renewal

All
 
The Group Dispersal Zone around Harrods has now expired and I am trying to get it renewed as soon as possible before the influx of summer visitors.  It will be an absolute nightmare for us if this is not reinstated as it helps the police to reduce the number of beggars and street drinkers who come to Knightsbridge.
 
Before they can get the Zone renewed by the Council the police need to receive evidence from local residents and businesses showing how they have been affected.
 
It is important that you take a few minutes, as soon as possible, to write to
 
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giving examples of any bad experiences you may have had or how you have been affected by the beggars or street drinkers. Please feel free to forward this e mail to anyone you believe may also wish to share their experiences and support our request for the reinstatement of the Group Dispersal Zone in Knightsbridge and the possible extension of the Zone into Exhibition Road, South Kensington, where our members have reported a recent increase in begging.
 
It would be helpful if you would be kind enough to copy me in.
 
regards
 
Maddie
 
Madeline Elsdon
Chairman
Law and Order Committee
The Knightsbridge Association

Noisy Supercars

If you are inconvenienced, alarmed or distressed by the cars which seem to be creeping out again, then please This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. about the impact on your quality of life and the local community due to the noise, speeding and nuisance driving. 
 
The purpose is to help the police build up a firm case of harassment, alarm or distress to the local community in readiness for them to justify applying the S.59 Police Reform Act to vehicles. The local police think this summer is going to be a record for the number of supercars as they are already stopping plenty of vehicles and have already given out an S.59 this week, so if that driver drives in the same manner again anywhere in the UK over the next twelve months the  police will be at liberty to seize his vehicle.
 
Madeline Elsdon
Chairman
Law and Order Committee
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25 March 2014

Police Warning - Double Lock Your Home

The Knightsbridge area is suffering from one or two select daytime burglaries in which there is no trace of an entry point. High value items from walk-in wardrobes are removed in a normally a very tidy manner, always targeting the bedroom. In fact, some victims don't even know someone has been in the property until they look to use the items some days later, this is normally jewellery.
 
The very clever and experienced Scene of Crimes Officer has detected that in each case the mortice locks of the doors are not used and the 'Yale' type lock can easily be slipped with a credit card. This sort of crime leaves no trace, no fingerprints and no leads.
 
The police have asked that everyone use the mortice lock when leaving the property unattended for ANY period of time, no matter how short, and switch on the burglar alarm. They even go so far as to suggest keeping the mortice locked when in the property but keeping the keys nearby out of view of the letterbox.
 
It would also be prudent to place all valuables in a locked safe at all times, or if no safe is installed, stored in an unusual place, perhaps a kitchen cupboard, a pantry, hoover cupboard, bathroom,  just not the bedroom.
 
This is not to cause alarm, there have been only a few cases but there is a pattern emerging and if we can reduce it, we should. Using the mortice lock halts this particular burglar because they do not go in for any damage to the property.

Carlos

Residents who were concerned about Carlos, a homeless man who has been sleeping rough in Knightsbridge for a while, will be pleased to know that the police, together with the mental health team have finally found him. He was distressed and in quite a manic state. He has been assessed and sectioned.
 
Carlos is now in the protective and warm environment of The Gordon Hospital where he can be properly cared for. I understand from the police that he did very well for about 10 years on medication and was able to hold down a job and accommodation so we are all hoping he can get back to that stage.
 
A special thank you must go to Chief Inspector Paul Rickett who promised to take an interest in his case after his plight and anti-social behaviour was brought to Mr Rickett's attention by residents at the last meeting of the Law and Order Committee. Thanks also to PC Nigel Lewis for continuing to engage with Carlos and eventually managing to get him off the streets and secure his safety in these cold nights.
 
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Chairman
Law and Order Committee
23 March 2014