By PC Fludgate, Raynes Park Safer Neighbourhoods Team
The Raynes Park Safer Neighbourhoods Team has recently carried out several pro-active operations aimed at reducing crime in the area and responding to concerns raised by members of the public.
On March 7 the team worked with a local police Traffic Unit stopping vehicles along Coombe Lane as part of an Automatic Number Plate Reader operation.
Such operations have proved very successful in the past at identifying uninsured vehicles and disqualified drivers.
On this occasion, a car linked to a recent burglary on the West Barnes Ward came to our notice and made off from officers attempting to stop it.
The traffic car pursued it and the vehicle was eventually stopped in Kingston and the driver arrested.
The male, Duane Harding from Croydon, has now been charged with burglary and is due to appear at Wimbledon Magistrates Court on 20th April.
Following information received from a Council animal welfare officer that a local resident was keeping a dangerous Pit-Bull type dog at his address, the Safer Neighbourhoods Team carried out further information gathering and went to Wimbledon Magistrates Court to provide evidence for a search warrant to be issued.
Working with the Police Status Dog Unit, officers executed the warrant on March 23rd and assessed the dog at the location.
After further checks with the PetLog database, document checks, and an assessment from the Status Dog Unit it was deemed that the dog did not meet the dangerous dog criteria.
As a result of the team engaging with local businesses and residents in the Durham Road area information came to light concerning unusual activity at a flat in the vicinity.
Such activity included multiple visits for short periods of time from different males during the day and evening.
Officers spoke more widely to neighbours in order to build up an intelligence picture about this activity, as well as making enquiries with the landlord and managing agent of the property.
On March 30, a plain clothed police officer from the Safer Neighbourhood Team knocked at the address and was granted entry, followed by uniformed colleagues.
It was immediately apparent that the flat was being used for prostitution and the persons concerned were interviewed about their involvement.
Their welfare was checked to ensure the females were not involved against their will and they were dealt with according to the police operating procedure concerning prostitution.
The landlord was immediately informed and the property has now been vacated. Sergeant Wheatley of the Raynes Park Safer Neighbourhoods Team said “In this case the persons involved in prostitution were acting of their own free will but these activities sometimes exploit vulnerable people.
"Immoral activity such as prostitution can seriously affect a small community like Raynes Park, and the police team are glad that residents communicated their suspicions so that effective and prompt action could be taken.”
To contact Raynes Park Safer Neighbourhoods Team call 020 8721 2459 or email: RaynesPark.snt@met.police.uk.
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