An increased focus on criminals. (From Harrow Times)

An increased focus on criminals.

1:48pm Monday 30th January 2012

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This week I attended a meeting with all 32 Borough Commanders from across London. These meetings are held regularly and give us the opportunity to share good practice on policing and reducing the numbers of victims of crime. Harrow Police also have a co-ordinated plan which will see an increased focus on criminals.

I went out on a raid last week led by Detective Sergeant McIntosh from Harrow Crime Squad. We arrested a local burglar who was subsequently charged.

Please take the following precautions to help prevent burglaries: Leave low energy lights and a radio on when you are out.

Ensure that your windows and doors are securely locked.

Property mark your valuables.

Contact your Safer Neighbourhoods team who can provide you with SmartWater property marking solution which is free of charge for residents, thanks to Harrow Council.

I had a meeting with some local Somali mothers and Roxbourne Safer Neighbourhoods team to discuss how we can work together on dealing with anti-social behaviour in South Harrow. The meeting was very successful and I will be meeting with the group again in a few weeks time to look at what progress has been made.

We continue to work closely with our Neighbourhood Champions who assist the police and Harrow Council in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour on the borough. I was delighted last week when a picture of a man we wanted to speak to, in connection with a burglary, was circulated and identified shortly afterwards by one of our Neighbourhood Champions. If you would like to join the scheme contact your Safer Neighbourhoods team for more details or go to www.harrow.gov.uk.

I had a meeting with Sergeant Ishtiaq and Sergeant Foster who manage the 140 Special Constables we have working on the borough. Our Special Constables play a huge role in helping ensure the safety of our borough and will be carrying out patrols over the next few months in our crime hot spots. We are extremely fortunate to have such a dedicated group of people who volunteer their own time to working alongside our regular officers.

Finally, I was reminded of the saying this week 'be careful what you wish for' when I discovered that I was successful in the Met Police ballot for the 2012 London Marathon. This will be the 11th marathon that I have taken part in and I can say with confidence that it will definitely be my last. I now weigh three and a half stone more that when I ran my first marathon, 29 years ago. I have started my training and have been getting up at 5.30 in the morning to run 5 miles. I also run 10 miles on Sundays. This year I am running in aid of the Mayor of Harrow's charities, Harrow Mencap and Harrow Association of Disabled People. I will keep you up-dated with my progress.

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