The tragic event in Woolwich is still at the forefront of people's thoughts and the police investigation is well underway.  Harrow's community stands united in condemning this act of violence. I want to assure you that your police, here in Harrow, are doing everything possible to make sure that you are all able to go about your normal business in a safe and secure way. Together we can ensure that Harrow is not touched by any of the behaviour we have seen elsewhere.

Catching burglars is a number one priority for us. We arrested three men on suspicion of burglary after a receiving an early morning call from a resident telling us that she could hear voices at the back of her house in Norman Crescent, Pinner.  Officers arrested one man at the scene. His two accomplices fled across an open field before being arrested, in a nearby block of flats, after witnesses tipped off police who were chasing them. We charged all three with attempted burglary. This is another great result and shows that the community and police won't tolerate criminal behaviour and are working together to fight it.

We've received a few reports recently of garden sheds being broken into.  Thieves know that there are 'rich pickings' to be got from sheds and out-buildings and are after expensive garden tools and bicycles to sell on.  Please make sure that you lock your sheds and out-buildings securely with good quality locks.

Three high-value cars, stolen this week all on the same night, were as a result of the keys being left near the front doors of the premises.  Thieves forced a front door, at one of the addresses, which hadn't been secured properly and took the car keys which had been left on the window sill. At the other address, which showed no signs of the door being forced, we suspect they used a tool which they pushed through the letterbox  to 'fish' the keys from a table near the front door.  Please remember when you get home, put your car keys in a safe place away from the front door and where they are not seen through the letterbox.

You can help prevent your home being burgled by following a few, cost-free, burglary prevention tips.

  •     Do not leave any doors or windows unlocked when you are out of your homes or at night   when you go to sleep.
  •     Do not leave porch doors unlocked, this gives the suspect perfect cover to use a tool on the locked main door.
  •     Don't leave keys in the keyhole of locked doors.
  •     Always use your mortice lock.

I visited the annual Pinner Fair last week and I'm pleased to say it was a crime-free event.  Uniformed and non-uniformed officers were patrolling the main streets and surrounding areas of the fair to make sure that anyone intent on causing trouble or committing crime was sent on their way.  Officers, on duty at Pinner underground station, were checking for any would be troublemakers coming into town and as an extra precaution were using a security arch to screen people as they arrived.

We arrested and charged a 32-year-old man for being in breach of his Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) for drinking alcohol in the street. One of the conditions of his ASBO, forbids him to drink alcohol in public.  He was on his way to Hendon Magistrates Court the following day.

This year we reduced the numbers of officers policing the event as a result of low crime figures from last year.  From a policing perspective, the fair ran smoothly throughout the day and it was good to see lots of families out and about enjoying themselves despite the weather.

We continue to disrupt those dealing in drugs across the borough with our particular focus being along the Northolt Road in South Harrow and in Wealdstone.  Please be assured that my officers are working vigorously to combat this problem.

After a short foot-chase by officers through Wealdstone last week, we arrested an 18-year-old man on suspicion of possession with intent to supply drugs.  The man ran off when officers stopped to speak to him in High Road but was caught in nearby Peel Road.  A drugs dog, brought in to help with a search of the area, sniffed out several bags of cannabis from a bush close to where officers caught the man.  A small quantity of cannabis was also found after a search of his home.