Havering Police Newsletter: Safer Neighbourhoods Initiatives across Havering.

Welcome to the second edition of the Havering Police’s newsletter. Chief Inspector Routley highlights the tireless work of officers across the borough, with a focus on the impact of Safer Neighbourhood teams in our communities.

As we head into the festive season, your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team have been working hard to keep Havering safe. Here’s what’s been happening and some important crime prevention advice for our residents.

Let’s start with a look back at what your local police teams have been up recently

Christmas Light switch on events

Over the last month we have been supporting local Christmas Light switch on events across the borough. These events are a fantastic way to bring the community together, and they give us the perfect opportunity to meet you face-to-face, share safety advice, and listen to your concerns. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to say hello – your support and engagement make a real difference in keeping Havering safe.

Shoplifting crackdown across the borough

This month your local Safer Neighbourhoods Teams have been working tirelessly to tackle shoplifting across the borough. Through a combination of plain-clothes operations and high-visibility patrols, we’ve carried out targeted enforcement in key retail areas. These efforts have led to numerous arrests of offenders, sending a clear message that theft will not be tolerated in Havering. Our proactive approach is helping to protect local businesses and ensure a safer shopping experience for everyone, especially during the busy festive season.

Violence Against Women and Girls – White Ribbon Campaign

My teams were proud to take part in the borough-wide efforts supporting the White Ribbon Campaign during the recent 16 Days of Action. Alongside Havering Council and community partners, we joined events that brought residents together to raise awareness and tackle violence against women and girls. From the powerful White Ribbon Walk in Romford to local conferences and engagement sessions, these initiatives highlighted the importance of speaking out and supporting those affected by abuse. By working together, we send a clear message: violence against women and girls has no place in Havering.

Robbery arrests in Elm Park

Your Safer Neighbourhoods Teams have been working hard in Elm Park to tackle robbery offences head-on. Through targeted patrols and intelligence-led operations, we recently made significant arrests linked to a series of robberies in the area. One suspect has now been charged and is awaiting sentencing at court in January, marking a major step in bringing offenders to justice. This success forms part of a wider long term partnership project with Havering Council, which is already underway to improve safety and reduce crime in Elm Park. Together, we’re committed to making this community a safer place for everyone.

Op Sceptre

Last month, our officers took part in Operation Sceptre, a national initiative focused on reducing knife crime and removing dangerous weapons from our streets. Across Havering, we carried out weapon sweeps in parks and public spaces, deployed knife arches in key locations, and conducted high-visibility patrols alongside intelligence-led operations targeting known offenders. We also ran test purchase operations with Havering Council to ensure retailers are complying with laws around the sale of knives. These proactive measures are vital in keeping our community safe and sending a clear message that knife crime will not be tolerated in Havering.

As mentioned last month, this time of year we see seasonal changes in crime trends, with the nights drawing in and offenders seizing the opportunity to commit offences such as burglary, robbery and theft of/from motor vehicle.

Across Havering we are seeing two peak times at the moment which residents need to be aware of:

Burglary Prevention – 4pm to 8pm Peak Times
With darker evenings, burglaries often occur between 4pm and 8pm when homes are left unlit and appear empty. To reduce the risk, make sure your property looks occupied by using timer switches for lights and closing curtains before dusk. Always lock doors and windows, even if you’re only out briefly, and keep valuables out of sight from windows. Simple security upgrades such as anti-snap locks, door chains, and outdoor lighting can provide extra protection. These small steps can make a big difference in keeping your home and community safe.

Protecting Your Home and Vehicle – 10pm to 3am
We’ve seen offences between 10pm and 3am where suspects force entry through insecure front doors to steal car keys, as well as using scanners to intercept signals from keyless entry vehicles. To reduce the risk, always lock doors and windows before bed, and keep car keys well away from doors and windows – never leave them in sight. For keyless cars, store keys in a signal-blocking pouch (Faraday bag) overnight. Adding secondary security devices such as steering wheel locks, wheel clamps, and pedal locks makes your vehicle far less desirable to offenders. Parking in well-lit areas and considering a tracking device can provide extra peace of mind. These simple steps can help protect your home and car during these vulnerable hours.

Sign up to Met Engage

Join the Met’s new community messaging platform for local updates, appeals, and crime prevention advice straight to your inbox. Sign up by clicking on this link https://www.metengage.co.uk/Content/Pages/Sign-Up. By using Met Engage you can also make direct contact with your local policing team and share your concerns

Join your local Ward Panel

Every ward in Havering has a Ward Panel made up of local residents, business owners and councillors who help set the policing priorities for their local area. The ward panel meets every three months and we would welcome more residents becoming involved

If you’d like to have a direct say in shaping police focus where you live, please contact your local Safer Neighbourhood Team to register your interest.

As a final thought for 2025 I would like to wish all our residents and business owners a very Merry Christmas and hope you enjoy quality time with family and friends. I also want to extend my heartfelt thanks to everyone across the emergency services who will be working tirelessly over the festive period to keep our community safe. Your dedication does not go unnoticed. Looking ahead to 2026, we know there will be challenges, but by continuing to work together, we can make Havering an even safer place to live, work and visit

Thank you for your ongoing support

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