Great arrest of burglar

I wanted to provide you with an update regarding burglary, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

On Friday 18th July at around 5pm, police received a 999 call from a Richmond resident who had been alerted by his CCTV system to two males breaking into his property. PCs Amber Bryant & Keiran Foley from Response Team A, arrived quickly on scene and after a short foot chase, detained one of the males involved. The arrested male was taken into custody and the officer in the case, TDC Garvan Cleary, interviewed him. Due to the great work of all involved, the matter was referred to the CPS for a charging decision and in less than 20 minutes a charge for the offence of Burglary 9(1A) was agreed!! The male, Michael McCarthy, will be attending Wimbledon Magistrates Court tomorrow morning having spent the weekend at Kingston Police Station. The resident wasn't at home at the time but their actions have enabled officers to respond immediately, which has resulted in the offender being arrested and remanded. Brilliant work by all involved!

While we will continue to pursue burglars in the area, there are steps you can do to help keep your property safe. Make sure that you:  

• Double lock your door every time you leave the house  

• If you can, move garden furniture or bins away from windows so that thieves cannot use them to gain access.  

• Use laminated glass or security film on ground floor and accessible windows.  

• Use a sash stop if you have sash windows to prevent people opening them enough to climb through.  

• If your windows open outwards, use a key operated lock – check these are locked before leaving the house.  

• Make sure all valuables are out of sight. 

• Keep handbags and keys away from letterboxes or cat flaps.  

• In the evening shut the curtains and leave lights on.  

• Set your burglar alarm 

• Lock your  shed or garage 

• Mark, register or record your valuables. 

Please go to our website to find the latest advice and guidance on keeping yourself safe.

If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.  

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