Havering police respond to video footage-‘Tackling motor vehicle crime in Harold Hill remains a priority.’

A ring door bell video of three males trying car door handles and police driving by has been shared on social media.

In response, Havering police have stressed that they are committed to tackling vehicle crime and that it remains a top priority for them.

A spokesperson for Havering police told the Havering Daily:

“We have recently been made aware of footage circulating in Harold Hill whereby 3 males are seen trying vehicle door handles and moments later a patrol car passes.  Although the position of the private CCTV footage clearly shows males trying various car door handles to gain entry, the view of officers passing in a vehicle would have been very different. It would have been impossible for them to have seen the vehicles being interfered with.

“We did not receive any 999/101 calls at the time the offences were taking place.  The males were being loud and boisterous but did not react adversely or suspiciously upon seeing police.  The officers stopped to take stock of the behaviour before continuing their patrols.

“Neighbourhood officers have been in touch with the resident concerned and a crime has been recorded.  Officers subsequently visited over 30 local residents to make enquiries, provided crime prevention advice and encourage the reporting of any crime.

“Tackling motor vehicle crime in Harold Hill remains a priority.”

Since the start of January 2023 the Safer Neighbourhood Teams across Havering have been taking part in an initiative to target motor vehicle crime.  This has focused on both the prevention of crimes along with enforcement.  Using both analysis of crime trends and local knowledge officers have been out on patrols in hotspot areas.  We are encouraging our residents to report crime to us as this can impact specific locations we patrol.  You can report crime via our website www.met.police.uk or by calling 101, 999 in an emergency.  Alternatively, you can anonymously contact Crime Stoppers on 0800 555 111 or visit https://crimestoppers-uk.org.

During January neighbourhood officers completed some night shifts to focus on the hotspot areas for motor vehicle crime. This resulted in 26 people being stopped and searched and 7 people dealt with for drug offences and six stolen vehicles being recovered.  

Havering Joint Task force funded by Havering council are a small crime fighting team and focus on vehicle crime, burglary and robbery.  During January these officers recovered 14 stolen vehicles and seized an additional 11 vehicles for driving illegally.  They made 15 arrests for a variety of offences including aggravated vehicle offences, robbery, drug possession with intent to supply, assault, harassment and recall to prison.

Often with many theft from motor vehicles crimes there is no damage caused.  Officers with the Police Cadets recently spent two evenings visiting the most affected roads – issuing crime prevention advice and providing a visible reassurance.  Residents have been reminded to ensure their vehicles are locked and consider using additional anti-theft devices such as steering wheel locks, signal blocker pouches for keys and not having valuables on show which can help prevent being a target of such crime.

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