Early morning patrols around the West Heath ward

Early morning patrols around the West Heath ward

You raised theft from vehicles as a concern, so here’s a quick local update.

Today (28/10/2026), officers from West Heath Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) conducted early morning patrols in response to a recent increase in thefts from motor vehicles across the ward. Patrols were carried out between 03:00hrs and 11:00hrs, reflecting the times reported by victims as those during which these offences have predominantly occurred.

Whilst officers were unable to identify or locate any individuals suspected of being involved in these offences, it is hoped that the visible police presence acted as a deterrent and provided reassurance to local residents.

During the operation, officers also conducted vehicle checks in response to ongoing concerns regarding speeding within the West Heath ward. As a result, a driver suspected of exceeding the speed limit was stopped, and appropriate action was taken.

West Heath SNT remains committed to tackling vehicle crime and addressing issues affecting the local community. We encourage residents to continue reporting suspicious activity and any concerns regarding anti-social behaviour or traffic-related matters.

Having personal items stolen from your vehicle is an upsetting experience, and we are determined to find and arrest those who break the law. 

Check that your vehicle is locked and secure every time you leave it. Thieves often look for easy opportunities to steal from vehicles. They will usually try the handles until they get lucky and find one that has been left unlocked. 

Keep your keys safe, out of view when at home and away from your front door. 

If you have a keyless entry vehicle, keep the key well away from the vehicle while at home and turn off wireless signals on your fob when it’s not being used. Consider putting the keys in a screened or signal blocking pouch, such as a Faraday Bag and check that it is still working every few months. 

Remove all items from view by taking them with you or putting them in the boot out of sight. Thieves will look for any items on display. Things like clothes, documents or an old bag might not seem like valuables, but they could still tempt a thief. Ensure you remove all other clues there might be valuables linked to the car, such as phone chargers or sat-nav mounts. 

Park your vehicle in a private garage if you can. If you do not have access to one, try to park in a well –lit open space. 

Try to use public car parks that are part of the police approved Park Mark safer parking scheme. 

Secure your number plates with tamper resistant screws to avoid them being stolen and used by others. 

We want your help to shape the future of policing across London. We are seeking your views on our new inclusion strategy to ensure that the Met is a police service that is trusted, representative and more effective at keeping London safe. You can have your say on our Inclusion Strategy consultation which runs until Thursday 26 November.