Community Safety
In an emergency call the police on 999 or, for non-emergencies ring 101. You can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
THE FOLLOWING IS IN THE PROCESS OF BEING UPDATED, NAMES AND NUMBERS MAY HAVE CHANGED
Hillrise Safer Neighbourhoods Team
The team is led by Inspector Steven Murfin and includes Sergeant Daniel Sullivan, PCs Michael Murray and Faisal Shabbir and PCSOs Tosun Gulakdeniz and Nicola Hallett. The Hornsey Road Police Station is no longer open to the public, but if you would like to meet a member of the team or discuss anything with them they can be phoned on 020 8721 2814, via their website or through social media (@metpoliceuk). If you need to report a crime phone 0300 123 1212 and ask for Holloway Police Station. As always the number for emergencies is 999, but a new number, 101, can be used for non-emergency calls.
8/11/17
A message from PC Faisal Shabbir on the NextDoor Group
I’m PC Faisal Shabbir attached to Hillrise SNT - this is just a quick message to introduce Hillrise safer neighbourhood team to Next Door and a few updates from the team. At the moment, we have one police sergeant: Daniel Sullivan, one police officer: PC Faisal Shabbir and one police community support officer PCSO Nicola Hallett. We are not used for other policing duties and dedicated to the ward. We regularly patrol the ward, tackle anti-social behaviour and crime and combat longer term problems facing some of our residents. We will be holding weekly community events run by the team. It will be an opportunity to come and meet the team and raise any concerns you may have. All dates will be advertised on our website and Twitter. If you are concerned about anti-social behaviour and crime in your area then please do contact us and someone from the team will contact you. We are always keen to know about issues early on and you contact us by any of the means below.
A message from Inspector Steve Murfin on NextDoor
We want to announce that you may now choose to forward important Crime & Safety posts to Islington Police via Nextdoor. We want to be very clear that this is NOT a tool to report emergencies or to report a crime officially. It's very important that you call 999 in the case of an emergency. As always, we cannot view any content that you do not choose to directly forward to Islington Police. We cannot see the posts and replies that are made in your neighbourhood. We cannot see the posts and replies that are made in your neighbourhood. You can join Nexdoor here.
Camden & Islington Police Newsletters
Moped Crime & Muggings
Recent months have seen an increase in these crimes locally, with a sharp escalation of phone snatches by men on mopeds and, more distressingly, gangs of six or so youths robbing single pedestrians, mainly schoolchildren, sometimes violently. The main areas for the latter seem to be Pauntley Street, Harberton Road, Whitehall Park and Gladsmuir Road, though the whole of the WHPARA area has been affected, with a robbery at knifepoint recently on Hornsey Lane. Police believe that they know the suspects, who wear balaclavas and hoodies, but are unable to do anything unless the villains are caught in the act.
From David Poyser
2/3/18
From Inspector Steve Murfin
9/3/18
Fraud
There is some information about scams on the Islington website and Action Fraud.
There are many examples of fraud currently, many of them taking place online and through 'phishing' emails. Action Fraud is the UK’s national reporting centre for fraud and cyber crime where you should report fraud if you have been scammed, defrauded or experienced cyber crime. See their website for more info and their page on phishing emails.
Bogus Callers
Bogus callers knocking on residents’ doors seems to be a common occurrence in the Whitehall Park area. It is usually someone claiming to be from a charity, such as Action for Blind People. They often say that they are not there to raise money but just to talk about the charity, though when asked for leaflets or information about the charity are unable to give any. One particularly persistent caller, a well-dressed and well-spoken woman, claims to be participating in a charity run for cancer and asks for sponsorship. Asked for credentials or a website she claims that it’s so last-minute it’s not up and running yet, and to go to the Cancer Research website. Of course, when you do there is no mention of her or her sponsored run. When she tried to get money from me she gave her address as a house in Gladsmuir Road, which i knew to be owned by one of our members. When I challenged her on this she became quite indignant, storming off saying she’d never been more insulted. I feel it’s something she might have to get used to. If I’d had my wits about me I would have got a photo of her. Perhaps other residents could be on the lookout and snap one, though I know of several locals who have fallen for her wiles.
2/3/15
Distraction Burglaries
There has been a spate of burglaries in the area by two men operating as window cleaners. The suspects are both white, 40-50 years old with London accents and one is possibly bald. They ask if they can fill their bucket and while one does this the other is stealing your valuables. Gas, electric and water companies all run password systems and have identification, but some confidence tricksters may also show a, usually poor quality, form of ID. If someone calls at the door and they are not expected or known, or seem suspicious, don’t let them in. Deal with callers by appointment or when a friend or relative can be present. Confidence tricksters often prey on elderly and more vulnerable residents, so be vigilant, ask for identification and information and call the police if necessary.
8/11/13
Courier Scam
From Streetlife:
People selling their items on online platforms are falling victim to a new type of advance fee fraud. This involves a fraudster, posing as a buyer, sending an email to the seller (victim), agreeing to the full asking price of the item. They state that they are unable to collect the item themselves and will arrange for a courier to pick it up instead.
The fraudster then sends a fake payment confirmation email from a different email address, one which falsely purports to be from a payment platform. In the course of the email exchange, the seller/victim is requested to pay the courier fee. Once the payment is made the contact is broken, the item is not picked up and the money paid for the ‘courier’ is gone.
Advice from Action Fraud is to be very careful about any 'buyer' offering to purchase any item for sale online sight unseen and suggesting a courier collection.
People selling their items on online platforms are falling victim to a new type of advance fee fraud. This involves a fraudster, posing as a buyer, sending an email to the seller (victim), agreeing to the full asking price of the item. They state that they are unable to collect the item themselves and will arrange for a courier to pick it up instead.
The fraudster then sends a fake payment confirmation email from a different email address, one which falsely purports to be from a payment platform. In the course of the email exchange, the seller/victim is requested to pay the courier fee. Once the payment is made the contact is broken, the item is not picked up and the money paid for the ‘courier’ is gone.
Advice from Action Fraud is to be very careful about any 'buyer' offering to purchase any item for sale online sight unseen and suggesting a courier collection.
12/8/16
Crime Prevention
The Metropolitan Police has comprehensive advice on crime prevention, including home and personal safety, fraud, bogus callers and vehicle safety on their website. There is also information on Islington’s website, including community safety, crime, policing and newsletters, on their Policing and Safety page.
If you are a victim of crime, call the police on 999 or the non-emergency number 101. Where you or someone you know has been the victim of a scam, you can report it on Action Fraud. Charities such as The Silver Line run confidential chat lines that provide advice to older people affected by scams.
Basic Crime Prevention Measures
HOME
Lighting
Low-density but constant lighting at the front and rear of premises makes a burglar more likely to be seen and therefore less likely to commit an offence.
Gardens
Keep foliage at the front low to increase surveillance opportunities. Increase the height of rear garden walls and fences using trellising or thorny planting. Lock tools away and lock ladders down.
Front Doors
Good doors will usually have two locks. Always use the deadlock when going out. At night a deadlocking night latch can be used, remembering that this may be a fire route. A metal strip (known as London or Birmingham bars) on the inner part of the frame can be used to strengthen the wood around the locks.
Back Doors
Locking bolts to the top and bottom of the door will significantly enhance security.
Patio Doors
Fit suitable locks and anti-lift devices. For double-glazed units refer to the installer or manufacturer.
Windows
Fit two locks to each ground floor window and each accessible one.
Property Marking
Visible property marking may deter the thief from taking a particular item and allows Police to return recovered valuables. Use an etching tool or permanent marker. The Police have been demonstrating the use of SmartWater, an ultra violet solution that has proved quite effective.
Low-density but constant lighting at the front and rear of premises makes a burglar more likely to be seen and therefore less likely to commit an offence.
Gardens
Keep foliage at the front low to increase surveillance opportunities. Increase the height of rear garden walls and fences using trellising or thorny planting. Lock tools away and lock ladders down.
Front Doors
Good doors will usually have two locks. Always use the deadlock when going out. At night a deadlocking night latch can be used, remembering that this may be a fire route. A metal strip (known as London or Birmingham bars) on the inner part of the frame can be used to strengthen the wood around the locks.
Back Doors
Locking bolts to the top and bottom of the door will significantly enhance security.
Patio Doors
Fit suitable locks and anti-lift devices. For double-glazed units refer to the installer or manufacturer.
Windows
Fit two locks to each ground floor window and each accessible one.
Property Marking
Visible property marking may deter the thief from taking a particular item and allows Police to return recovered valuables. Use an etching tool or permanent marker. The Police have been demonstrating the use of SmartWater, an ultra violet solution that has proved quite effective.
VEHICLES
- Avoid parking in dimly lit and obscured areas where possible. If you can, park near street lighting and places that are open and easily seen.
- Remove all valuables from your car. This includes any coats or jackets, GPS devices (including the bracket where possible), stereos and CD players, iPods and associated in-car items, small change, and any other items, even those with little worth.
- Empty your glove box and leave it open to show nothing is kept inside.
- Secure your vehicle with anti-theft devices and alarms if fitted, ensure these are turned on and working whenever you leave your vehicle unattended.
- Catalytic Converters seem to be a new must-have for car thieves.
BOGUS EMAILS
Bogus emails come in many forms. Below are a few examples.
These usually purport to come from someone you know or from a mailing list you operate. The ‘From’ email address will be the real one you have for that person; the ‘Reply To’ address similar but different. The ‘To’ field will usually say ‘undisclosed recipients:;’ as it’s been sent to many addresses apart from yours. The text of the email usually decribed a situation in which your “friend” is in dire straights and in need of money. An example, one of the many that WHPARA receives, is below:
1. The Begging Letter
These usually purport to come from someone you know or from a mailing list you operate. The ‘From’ email address will be the real one you have for that person; the ‘Reply To’ address similar but different. The ‘To’ field will usually say ‘undisclosed recipients:;’ as it’s been sent to many addresses apart from yours. The text of the email usually decribed a situation in which your “friend” is in dire straights and in need of money. An example, one of the many that WHPARA receives, is below:
There’s little point doing anything other than delete the email, as it’s probably been bounced around various addresses and servers before it reaches you. Or you could forward it to the police in case they can do anything about it. Never reply to an email of this sort, or open any attachment.
24/4/14
SMART PHONES
Islington Police are warning the community to take care when using smart phones in public as part of a London-wide awareness campaign this January. During the post-holiday season, which sees many people sporting new high-value goods, such as phones, electronic tablets, media players and jewellery, the MPS is advising owners across London to take care when and where they take them out.
While operational activity to tackle street robbery continues, including increased patrols in hotspot areas and pro-active investigations to arrest those responsible, the MPS is asking Londoners to take some steps to help themselves.
Detective Sergeant Sean Tuckey, said: “Islington Police officers take street robbery very seriously and we are working hard to catch offenders. However, the public can minimise the chance of it happening by taking some basic measures. When you are out, where possible try to keep any valuables secure. The majority of items which are stolen during robberies in Islington are smart phones and electronic tablets like iPads. Criminals simply see these items as cash.
“Many robberies happen when people check their phones or use applications just after leaving train stations, or when they are going about their business and may be distracted. Adults who have consumed alcohol and have less awareness of their surroundings are also more vulnerable. We're also aware that young people are targeted, usually by other young people.
“We are not asking the public not to use their phones or media players in public - we are just advising them to be vigilant about where and when they use them”.
While operational activity to tackle street robbery continues, including increased patrols in hotspot areas and pro-active investigations to arrest those responsible, the MPS is asking Londoners to take some steps to help themselves.
Detective Sergeant Sean Tuckey, said: “Islington Police officers take street robbery very seriously and we are working hard to catch offenders. However, the public can minimise the chance of it happening by taking some basic measures. When you are out, where possible try to keep any valuables secure. The majority of items which are stolen during robberies in Islington are smart phones and electronic tablets like iPads. Criminals simply see these items as cash.
“Many robberies happen when people check their phones or use applications just after leaving train stations, or when they are going about their business and may be distracted. Adults who have consumed alcohol and have less awareness of their surroundings are also more vulnerable. We're also aware that young people are targeted, usually by other young people.
“We are not asking the public not to use their phones or media players in public - we are just advising them to be vigilant about where and when they use them”.
New Policing Model
There is a new approach to local policing, the New Policing Model, that was introduced in Islington and across the Metropolitan Police Service in Spring 2013. You can download the document here.
For more information and crime prevention advice visit www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention.