You can take some simple measures to help keep valuables safe. So says the Metropolitan Police (MPS) to Londoners in a new awareness campaign.
During the post-holiday season, which sees many Londoners sporting new high-value goods, such smart phones, media players, and gold jewellery the Met is advising owners 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 Met is asking Londoners to take some steps to help themselves.
Met Commander Simon Pountain said: "The MPS take street robbery very seriously – being robbed is a traumatic experience. However, the public can minimise the chance of it happening by taking some basic measures. When you are out, where possible try and keep any valuables hidden. Smart phones and media players are becoming must-have items for many people – that includes criminals too. They simply see these items as cash.
"Many robberies happen when people check their phones just after leaving a transport hub, 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.
"We are here for London, and to help make sure people can go about their daily lives as safely as possible. We are determined to do what we can to stop it happening as well as catching those responsible and bring them to justice."
In October 2010 the MPS launched ‘Autumn nights’, a high visibility operation in bus and transport hubs during the half-term and Halloween period. Other operational activity continues across London with more targeted efforts in five key boroughs.
The pan-London marketing campaign will run from 10 January to 13 February and will involve radio, online and poster advertising. The campaign encourages the public to think about when and where they use their valuables. It also highlights how criminals see possessions as cash.
To illustrate how victims can be taken unawares the Met released CCTV footage of a theft taking place. It’s on Youtube –
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sULO5YMJYBk
