Dear reader,
4-months ago I ran a popular topic highlighting the varied and hard work the local police were undertaking in your area, and this month I am returning to that subject. It’s a long one….
Good Work
Sgt Kerr and the Volunteer Police Cadets undertook a test purchase operation. Eight licensed premises checked, one store failed and was served a section 19 closure notice.
Good old fashioned policing – the North High Visibility Team (HVPT) undertook an arrest enquiry when the occupier denied the suspect was present and would not allow officers entry. They smelled a rat so sat up nearby and 20-minutes later caught the suspect leaving the address. He was charged with shoplifting offences in the north.
PC Archer and Sgt Moore were on patrol in Harefield when they spotted a prolific offender currently on license from the Thames Valley area. Tried to make off but was detained and searched and arrested in possession of cocaine which he had concealed whilst failing to stop. He has been charged and sent to court.
Whilst the North HVPT were on an ANPR operation in Field End Road, an Audi TT failed to stop then crashed before the driver ran off. The car was lifted for forensics and witness statements obtained. Enquiries with the car owner identified other offences. The team identified where the suspect was hiding, gained entry and made an arrest. Subsequently charged with failing to stop, assault and possession with intent to supply drugs.
Good work by officers on Eastcote SNT who conducted a joint operation with Surrey Police to identify an offender who was wanted for rape. The team carried out extensive intelligence work to identify and locate the offender. Using local knowledge a potential suspect was identified and arrested. A thorough search of the suspect’s address found key evidence. The suspect was later charged with rape.
Sgt Charlston and her team carried out a joint operation with the Department for Work and Pensions at an address in Eastcote. A group of foreign nationals were running a fraudulent documents business from the address. One male was arrested during the operation for three counts of using fraudulent Slovakian passports to try and obtain national insurance numbers and other documents. The male was charged and further investigations continue to identify others involved in this fraudulent activity.
Officers from West Ruislip SNT offered support to a particularly vulnerable victim of crime. The victim, an 86 year old with dementia and mobility issues who lives on her own, was burgled while in her own home. The victim suffered quite an ordeal at the hands of the burglars and was left with extensive damage to clear up. PC McCormack and PCSO Brighton identified the need for extra support for this victim, helping her fix her door lock, arranging for victim support to visit her, and liaising with other external agencies to ensure she is getting the long term care she needs. This has given the victim peace of mind and a feeling of being secure and safe again in her own home.
PC McNeill ran an operation to catch those speeding in residential areas. The operation resulted in 5 tickets being issued, 2 cars being seized for no insurance and 2 people being arrested for drug possession.
Special Constable Spear and PC Hussein from South Ruislip SNT attended Ruislip Gardens Primary School where they talked to the children about ‘Stranger Danger’, and what they should do if they found themselves lost. The children also got to try on various police uniforms and equipment. PCSO Brighton and PCSO Robinson attend Coteford Primary School to give a presentation to over 300 pupils on road safety and stranger danger. This provided an excellent opportunity for the officers to engage with the youngsters and educate them on staying safe on the roads.
Excellent work by Sgt Charlston and her team who investigated a complex assault case. The officers sensed that something wasn’t quite right with the allegation made and through extensive CCTV trawls and witness enquiries they were able to prove that the victim was actually the perpetrator of an violent and unprovoked assault. The actual victim was supported by officers to give a statement which resulted in the suspect being arrested and charged with assault. The suspect has pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing.
The HVPT had a particularly varied week at in December, including pro-activity and community engagement. They seized cars with no insurance, made arrests for drug possession, executed three search warrants, patrols burglary hotspots in uniform and plain clothes and finally rescued a stray dog in Harefield that had been hit by a car and reunited it with it’s owner.
South Ruislip SNT undertook a wide range of community engagement in one week: a drop in surgery at Ruislip Library giving one to one advice to local residents, a crime prevention meeting at a Mother & Baby hostel and Sgt Kerr and PC Webster accompanied the Borough Commander during an interfaith service at the Ruislip Synagogue.
West Ruislip SNT supported a “Safe Drive Stay Alive” event to witness first hand the impact that the event has on young drivers and the positive effect this will have on road deaths amongst young people in the Borough. The team used this opportunity to engage with youths from different schools across the borough and gain feedback from their experiences and listen to their concerns.
PCSO Sandhu received a call from a local resident who knew that he was searching for one of our local villains. She informed PCSO Sandhu that he was loitering in Eastcote High Street. PCSO Sandhu, along with PC Nagle and PC Chauhan, immediately attended the area, spotted him and gave chase. He was quickly captured and arrested, subsequently being charged with four counts of shoplifting and remanded in police custody to court. Good work between the local community and police.
We had a Festive Open Day in December at Ruislip Police Station. Over 300 children, along with their parents and grandparents attended to see Santa, get “arrested” and see some vintage police cars.
South Ruislip SNT are now undertaking regular joint patrols with the RAF Police, increasing uniform visibility on that ward.
Good work from PC Archer who spotted one of our well known offender’s vehicles in Northwood. He stopped the vehicle and recognised that the passenger was giving false details. PC Archer arrested the passenger for No Seatbelt. In custody his real identity was confirmed (a known offender), who was wanted for questioning in Hammersmith for aggravated vehicle taking.
The Eastcote SNT organised a “meet your local police team” for the 4th Eastcote Cubs at Ruislip Police Station. Sgt Charlston and her team ran the event which involved nearly 30 cubs engaged in a variety of activities, including being “arrested” and “locked up” and “driving” a police vehicle. The team were put under intense questioning with some very frank and challenging questions but survived to tell the tale.
Northwood SNT worked with the council’s housing officers to remove a rough sleeper from the garden of a vulnerable elderly resident. The man had decided to pitch a tent in her garden and she did not feel in a strong enough position to ask him to leave or forcibly remove him from her garden. The officers and council officials removed the man and the local police team continues to provide her with support so that she does not suffer any consequences and so that the male does not return.
PC McNeill and PC Butler were on patrol when a car failed to stop for them. The driver attempted to run away and assaulted both officers whilst they arrested him (no lasting injuries). A large quantity of drugs were found in the car and the driver was also disqualified from driving. Great stop.
I may have gone overboard and highlighted more of the “exciting” stuff this time which could make the north of the Borough look like a crime hotspot. It is not, and I can assure you there is a ton of community engagement going on as well as villains getting nicked.
Yours,
Inspector Rob Bryan
North Cluster
Hillingdon Borough
( 020 8246 1816 | ( 07500097182 | 8 robert.bryan@met.pnn.police.uk
+ Ruislip Police Station, The Oaks, HA4 7LE
+ Ruislip Police Station, The Oaks, HA4 7LE
NOT PROTECTIVELY MARKED