‘NETWORK OF CAMERAS’ FOR TRIANGLE SHOPS – Trader’s call follows spate of burglaries … BURGLARY WITNESS TELLS POLICE TO “**** OFF” – BUT POLICE STILL FOLLOWING UP SEVERAL OTHER LEADS … HUNDREDS OF POUNDS WORTH OF DAMAGE CAUSED IN SHOP BURGLARY – AND NOTHING STOLEN
A CRYSTAL PALACE TRIANGLE jeweller wants to see a ‘network of cameras’ in shops round the area – after 11 of them were burgled in just six days.
“If we have a network of cameras and people know there’s a network of cameras they are less likley to do anything – because they know they will be spotted” says Darryll Norwood of Crystal Palace Jewellers on Church Road.
“There are a number of traders round the Triangle who definitely want to do this networking. ” I don’t know how it would work logistically, networking them all on the same server – but I know it’s possible.
“I also know there’s a lot of smaller traders who can’t afford to put in expensive TV. “But one trader who got burgled said they were going to put in a system and I found one for them for £160. “And that includes two cameras and remote viewing.
“I find remote viewing very useful. “With an Internet connection I can use it on my mobile, laptop or tablet anywhere in the World.
“In theory people could view my external cameras. “I’d be happy for any trader to have the web address of my external camera. “There might be people who do night work, people who can’t sleep.
“But if we’ve got hundreds of people who can access it there’s a very good chance they’re going to be monitored 24 hours a day for free.”
Darryl – whose shop bore the brunt of the 2011 riots locally * made his comments in the wake of a hastily-arranged meeting held between traders (including himself), police and local ward councillors from three boroughs to discuss the spate of burglaries which was held at Domali on Westow Street at 8am this morning (Wednesday).
*See ‘Riot-hit jewellers reopens’ 13th October 2011
BURGLARY WITNESS TELLS POLICE TO “**** OFF” – BUT POLICE STILL FOLLOWING UP SEVERAL OTHER LEADS
A POLICEMAN who went to interview a witness who saw two suspects close to a nearby Westow Street premises which was burgled was told to “**** off”, the meeting in Domali’s heard.
“That’s what we’re facing as well – that’s from fellow traders” the PC concerned told the meeting.
A Crystal Palace Triangle SNT (safer neighbourhoods team) police information leaflet circulated to shops in the wake of the burglaries says: “Unfortunately occasionally we are unable to follow up leads / arrest suspects as individual shops seem reluctant to assist us with statements / CCTV.
“The team are committed to reducing crime but we do need your assistance.”
Sgt Diane Hill told the meeting that in another instance someone had an item stolen from their shop, obtained CCTV from a neighbouring shop identifying the culprit – and then decided he wouldn’t give a statement.
A Westow Street trader said a few months ago there had been a drunk on the benches near the War memorial urinating in Westow Street. He contacted a police number they had been given but was told there were no staff present.
“They came round the following morning and asked questions. “That was good. “But at the time it was so frustrating.”
Alison McNaught of Domali said: “It just seemed nobody knew who was responsible for what and when. “The solution to this problem is continued communication.”
Emma Astles whose Church Road shop Papagaio was among the shops burgled said one witness to the break-in at her premises had found a second witness but that had not yet been followed up by police.
Sgt Diane Hill of Crystal Palace Triangle Safer Neighbourhood Team explained that burglaries in Bromley borough (in which Papagaio is) were dealt with by Bromley police. burglaries in Croydon borough were dealt with by Croydon police and so on.
Adding that she was disappointed with comments on Facebook that they were not doing as much as they could, Sgt Hill said: “We actually do quite a lot. “We take great pride and responsibility for dealing with crimes in our area and following up any leads.
“We were as concerned as you when we came in and found four burglaries had been committed overnight. “We trawled all CCTV for potential leads.”
One person had appeared in court charged with attempted burglary at Casa Cuba on the corner of Belvedere Road and Church Road. Several other leads were being followed up, she told around 25 people attending the meeting.
Responding to comments by Darryl Norwood that a security camera firm had told him that images from his cameras could not be used in court because they weren’t good enough, Diane Hill told him: “We will take any CCTV evidence however bad it is.”
But she cautioned the meeting: “If you do catch a suspect on TV, don’t publish it.”
A second Westow Street trader told police: “We believe you’re doing a lot, but if two or three businesses get done you don’t see CPSO’s (community police support officers) come in to say ‘Just to let you know so-and-so got done’. “We don’t need to know their names.”
Andy from Bambino’s in Church Road, referring to the comments made by the witness to the PC, said he did not think that would be a typical reaction. Earlier he told the meeting: “If four break-ins happen people feel totally unprotected.”
CRIME PREVENTION: Diane Hill and PC Mark O’Neill said they were both happy to visit and give crime prevention advice if people wished.
PC O’Neill said a lot of shops had front doors with panes of glass in the bottom. He suggested people should install a grille behind them.
Crystal Palace Triangle police can be contacted on mobile phone 0208 721 2906. Diane Hill can be contacted on twitter @mpscrystalpsgt. Gipsy Hill police station opening times are: Wednesday 7-8pm, Thursday 7-8pm, Saturday 2-3pm If no-one is around please use the red phone outside.
Crystal Palace Triangle SNT police community event. Saturday 30th August Cafe Nero, Westow Hill 11am to midday.
Today’s meeting was arranged at very short notice by Lambeth Cllr Matthew Benett (Lab Gipsy Hill) who said he organised it after concern from business owners – particularly Alison McNaught at Domali.
Cllr Bennett was one of five local ward councillors who attended the meeting. The others were: Bromley: Cllr Richard Williams (Crystal Palace ward); Croydon: Cllr John Wentworth (Lab. Upper Norwood); Southwark: Cllrs Helen Hayes and Andy Simmons (Both Lab, College ward)
HUNDREDS OF POUNDS WORTH OF DAMAGE CAUSED IN SHOP BURGLARY – AND NOTHING STOLEN
THE OWNER of Papagaio’s on Church Road has told how hundreds of pounds worth of damage was done to her shop on Sunday morning – yet nothing was taken.
Emma Astles received a phone call to say the alarm had gone off at 7am.
“They entered through the back alleyway, smashed the small toilet window and got into the toilet, which was bolted shut so they were stuck in there. “So they kicked, pushed, punched the door until the whole door frame came out of the wall, taking a bit of the wall with them.
“As soon as they did that, that’s what activated the alarm. “And then they ran. “They didn’t take anything. “I don’t leave any cash or valuables on the premises so they just scarpered.”
“It’s cost £175 to replace the window and about £200 for a new door frame.”
Copyright Jerry Green 2014 Source: News From Crystal Palace.co.uk
