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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. Distraction Burglary Alert!
On Wednesday 11th February 2026 at 1pm, a male knocked at a flat in Rill house on the Elmington Estate pretending to be from Southwark Council, he produced some form of identification card. The male stated that he was there to check for a leaking tap and he was allowed entry by the elderly resident. The male kept the resident busy in the kitchen whilst a previously unseen male quietly searched through the resident’s bedroom. Approximately £350 in cash was stolen.
This type of burglary is widely used across the UK and they usually involve a male cold calling at the address to check for a water leak, this preys on our fears of serious water damage if we do not act immediately.
Please follow the steps below to reduce the risk of becoming a victim of this type of offence.
1) Be suspicious of anyone who cold calls at your address without a prior appointment. Southwark Council will always make residents aware of any planned work, via letter and weeks ahead.
2) You Do Not have to let anyone inside your address! If in doubt, keep them out!
3) Consider installing a doorbell camera, these are wireless devices that connect to your Wi-Fi signal and record people who attend your front door. You’ll get a notification on your smart phone, and you’ll be able to see live footage and have a conversation with them from anywhere in the world (as long as you have mobile data or Wi-Fi signal).
4) Register the serial numbers of valuables, for free, with crime prevention charity www.immobilise.com this will allow police to return any recovered stolen goods and also prosecute the offenders.
5) Sign up to https://www.metengage.co.uk/ the new communication tool used by the Metropolitan Police. You can have direct contact with your team and receive local crime news direct to your email.
 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. Get Involved Please consider getting involved and contribute to the local priority survey, we may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
Please click here to complete the survey
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