The Association continues to have regular meetings with the police in the three sectors in our area: Marylebone High Street; Bryanston and Dorset Square; Cavendish Square and Oxford Street. A recent report from police in the Bryanston and Dorset Square sector shows that crimes reported in the year September 2008 to September 2009 are down on the number of crimes in the previous 12 months. These statistics include burglary, robbery, criminal damage, drug offences, theft and violent offences.
City Guardians are patrolling our area vigilantly and their hard work is ably supporting the police force to improve the quality of life for all residents by reducing the anti-social behaviour of a relatively small number of people.
The limited number of public toilets appears to be an issue that needs to be addressed, especially on occasions when there is a large gathering of people in a celebratory mood. Education of ‘pub clientele and cab drivers', it is reported, is an approach that is being planned as a long term solution. Meanwhile, if time should be on your side, texting the word ‘TOILET' to 80097 will advise you of your nearest facility.
Sex worker cards placed in phone booths continues to be a problem. In the Bryanston and Dorset Squares sector, it was reported that more than 17,000 cards were removed from 28 phone booths in a recent period of 3 months. This is an ongoing problem that the both police and the Council have been addressing for some years with limited success until now. The hope
is that discussions with the phone service providers at a senior level will make progress.
Safer Neighbourhood Priorities: The present priorities are begging and burglary. We should all report such incidences that we come acrossin order to apprehend the offenders. In the past, the priorities have included motor vehicle crime, prostitution and alcohol related antisocial behaviour. The police have issued their ‘dos and don'ts' for preventing us from becoming victims.
Security Checks: We are indebted to one of our members, Jeremy Bramah, from Bramah Security Centres Ltd for their Security Check List.
- Street doors and flat doors: Make sure you use British Standard or equivalent deadlocks. Without such locks, you will be offering easy pickings to burglars and you may not be insured.
- Windows: Most windows in Marylebone are sash windows. A Brighton Catch or Fitch Catch on any basement, ground and, possibly, top floor property is inadequate. Rola stop sash stops are recommended as these are lockable window restrictors that simply rotate if the correct key is not used.
- Lighting: Fit a light timer to make it seem that someone is in the property.
- Safes: Small safes, with some fire prevention capability, can secure valuable personal property, e.g. rings, watches, passports, credit cards, etc. A professional thief's first port of call in a flat or house is usually the master bedroom so special care is essential.
- Burglar alarms: Noises cause thieves to find another property! If you have a burglar alarm, use it at all times and make certain that it is working effectively.
- CCTV Systems: If you a CCTV system, ensure it is working correctly before you leave home - and that it set in the correct position to have the proper view of your property.
