Local police approached the Greenwich Neighbourhood Watch team to help problem solve and combat a large rise in parcel theft from apartment blocks and cycle thefts from locked communal garages.
The problem was so bad that residents were keeping cycles in their properties, instead of the locked facilities.
The Greenwich team spoke to residents about the incidents and decided that reducing opportunistic crime was a priority.
The team designed several posters to be printed and distributed in targeted areas. They also worked with residents, providing simple ways to reduce the risk of parcle theft, including:
- Advise courier company NOT to leave parcels outside property door or in communal areas
- Arrange for a time for delivery when you will be in or provide instructions to leave with a specific neighbour
- Do not let people into the building that you don't know - either by letting them in via the intercom system or by tailgating
- Report maintenance issues regarding communal doors.
Advice on reducing cycle theft from the communal garages included:
- Make sure you use an appropriate lock
- Report maintenance issues
- Park in a well lit area
- Do not allow tailgating or let people in that you don't know
The result when residents and the and the local Neighbourhood Watch team worked together was a 24% reduction in the issues within the first three weeks.