Welcome to the June 2026 edition of the Sutton Neighbourhood Watch Newsletter. As summer arrives, we hope you and your family are enjoying the longer days and finding time to get out and about in your communities. Thank you, as always, for your continued support and dedication in helping to keep Sutton safe, resilient and well-connected.
As many of you will know, SNHW does not receive any regular funding from the police or the council, so every contribution — whether of time, skills or resources — makes a real difference. In this edition, we bring you an important update on our membership transfer; a heartfelt tribute to a long-serving colleague; exciting new awards for community policing; the latest policing news and technology updates; a reminder of the Stonecot community meeting on 2 July; and an invitation to a free Met Police Charity Concert on 18 July at 5:30 p.m. at Christ Church, Christ Church Park, Sutton, SM2 5TN (please see the link below). Although the concert is free the Choir has asked that we book a ticket, so they have an idea of numbers. What better way to spend a summer day listening to great songs and celebrating the Choir’s 10th Anniversary. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/met-police-charity-concert-tickets-1988414781137?aff=erelexpmlt
SNHW Membership Transfer – Update
As part of our effort to transfer our membership records to the national database, which will enable us to keep in touch with our members without cost, we will be launching a new phase in the next few weeks.
Those who have not already signed up may receive an invitation to join us from alert@neighbourhoodalert.co.uk. Hopefully that will be a help for them with the process.
Colin Pye Honoured at Metropolitan Police Commendation Ceremony
Anna James, Chair of Sutton Neighbourhood Watch, is pleased to share the following message with members: “On 27 February, I had the honour of accompanying Colin Pye, who stepped down from his long‑standing roles as Vice Chair and Membership Secretary at the AGM, to a police Commendation Ceremony in Bromley. This is an auspicious occasion at which officers across the three boroughs attend to receive commendations for having placed themselves in greater danger than the call of duty requires and are aware of the possibility of serious personal injury. Occasionally, however, members of the public can be recognised for working and contributing over and above what would normally be expected of them. Since the Association’s inception, Colin has played a pivotal role in shaping its organisational structure, most notably through the establishment of the Ward and Street Coordinator model. He has given many years of dedicated service in senior leadership roles, was instrumental in the preparation of key working documents and guides and has been a strong advocate for community engagement and constructive partnership with the police, contributing significantly to safer neighbourhoods across Sutton. Upon my recommendation and approval by Sutton Borough Commander Superintendent Richard Lloyd‑Ablitt, Colin was presented with a police Commendation in recognition of ‘25 years of Outstanding Voluntary Service to Sutton Neighbourhood Watch’ by BCU Commander Nick Blackburn.”
Event Volunteers – Your Association Needs You!
In our May newsletter, we set out our planned events programme for this year, but unfortunately due to the lack of volunteers, we have already had to make the difficult decision of not having a presence at the well-attended EcoFair on August Bank Holiday Monday.
We will however have a presence at other events so please consider if you can help by donating an hour or two of your time to help:
St Helier Festival, field opposite David Weir Centre, Carshalton, SM5 1SL from 12 noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday 20 June – volunteers needed during the day and for set up.
Belmont Festival, Belmont Village, SM2 6BS, from 12 noon to 5 p.m on Sunday 5 July - volunteers needed during the afternoon. Please get in touch if you can help: https://www.suttonneighbourhoodwatch.co.uk/contact/
Neighbourhood Watch Community Policing Awards 2026
Neighbourhood Watch Week runs from 1–7 June 2026, and this year sees the exciting launch of the first-ever Neighbourhood Watch Award for Community Policing. The award celebrates outstanding collaboration between policing teams and the communities they serve — and nominations can be submitted by community members, so your voice matters.
Eligible nominees include serving Neighbourhood officers, PCSOs, Police Constables, Sergeants and Inspectors who have worked with Neighbourhood Watch to help a community feel safer; have supported local Neighbourhood Watch groups or individual members; or helped to establish or strengthen new schemes.
Nominations open on 4 June and close on 5 July 2026. To nominate, please visit www.ourwatch.org.uk/policeawards — nomination forms will be available from 4 June. Please do spread the word and encourage nominations from across your community. The awards are kindly sponsored by VISAV, the company behind the Neighbourhood Alert system.
Met Wins Judicial Review on Live Facial Recognition
As many of you may be aware, the police have used live facial recognition cameras in Sutton High Street, which has resulted in several arrests. This facility is used regularly in Croydon and just recently resulted in several suspects being arrested after being caught by facial recognition cameras, including a woman wanted for an assault more than 20 years ago.
As you may imagine, not everyone is a fan of facial recognition cameras in local communities, and the view has been expressed that it infringes on the human rights of some. This practice therefore has been challenged in a judicial review case. In a significant development for public safety, the Metropolitan Police won a judicial review on 21 April 2026, confirming that its use of Live Facial Recognition (LFR) technology complies with human rights law. The Court found that the Met’s policy contains clear, precise and effective safeguards.
You may be interested to learn that, since the start of 2024, the technology has contributed to more than 2,100 arrests — with 24% relating to violence against women and girls — and over 100 sex offenders have been apprehended. The false alert rate is exceptionally low: across more than three million faces scanned last year, just 12 false alerts were generated, none of which resulted in an arrest.
All deployments are clearly signposted and visible, and every alert is independently reviewed by a trained officer before any action is taken. The Court’s judgment confirms that the use of Live Facial Recognition is both lawful and proportionate.
Policing Operation: E-Bikes and Vehicle Crime
We have been informed that police Sutton Safer Neighbourhood Teams recently conducted a targeted operation alongside the Roads Policing Team and Immigration Officers from the Home Office, focusing on the use of electric bikes and scooters and their role in vehicle crime.
Officers carried out more than 20 vehicle stops, including two pursuits, and seized two electrically powered bikes and one car. One arrest was made, and several further individuals may be summoned to court. Officers also conducted foot patrols on Sutton High Street, stopping riders using bikes — electric or otherwise — in the area. This kind of proactive, multi-agency operation reflects the ongoing commitment of local policing to keeping Sutton’s streets safe.
Warning: Rogue Traders in the Area
We highly value our close links with Trading Standards and often receive warnings that members should not deal with anyone calling at their home offering to undertake what they will term as “essential work”. We are pleased therefore that Sutton Safer Neighbourhood Teams have received reports of possible rogue traders operating locally. In one reported incident, a male cleaned a small area of a resident’s driveway without permission, then knocked at the door claiming he had “demonstrated” the need for cleaning and requesting payment for further work. When the resident declined, the male persisted before eventually leaving.
Please do not agree to unsolicited work of this kind. If it happens to you, report it to the police with as much detail as possible, and please pass this message on to family, friends and neighbours — particularly anyone who may be vulnerable. If you feel threatened in any way, or the person becomes aggressive, shut the door and ring 999.
Blue Lights Behind You? Stay Calm and Stay Safe
In the hot weather, everyone seems to be out and about and the traffic always seems to be heavier. It is not always easy therefore to know what to do when an emergency vehicle suddenly appears behind you, so here are some helpful tips. The key messages are:
do not break the law to get out of the way.
move aside only when it is safe and legal to do so
slow down and remain aware of your surroundings
DO NOT go through red lights; stop in yellow box junctions; or enter bus lanes during operating hours. Emergency vehicle drivers are trained to work around you. Your safety always comes first.
Did You Know You Can Text 999?
If you are unable to make a voice call in an emergency — perhaps because you are in danger, cannot speak, or have a hearing or speech difficulty — you can use the Emergency SMS service.
Text 999 with your message (Police, Fire, Ambulance or Coastguard)
Only use in a genuine emergency
Important: You must register your phone first. To do so, simply text “Register” to 999.
Have you signed up yet? Sharing this information could help someone when it matters most.
Stonecot Neighbourhood Watch: 2026 Community Meetings
Stonecot Neighbourhood Watch invites all residents to attend its 2026 community meetings, held at St Bede’s Conference Centre, St Raphael’s Hospice, starting at 7.30 pm:
And finally, a reminder to keep safe and hydrated in this hot weather, look out for elderly neighbours, and keep your home safe by shutting windows and doors when you go out.
As our effectiveness in making Sutton a better place to live by combatting crime and antisocial behaviour, is proportionate to our membership, can you encourage your friends and neighbours to join please. They can easily do so at our website: www.SuttonNeighbourhoodWatch.co.uk/register/. Thank you
