Local police sessions

Explore what the police do locally on Tuesday 27 March

Be vigilant with smart phones

Islington Police is warning the community to take care when using smart phones in public as part of a London-wide awareness campaign this January.

During the post-holiday season, which sees many people sporting new high-value goods, such as phones, electronic tablets, media players and jewellery, the Metropolitan Police is advising owners across London to take care when and where they take them out.

While operational activity to tackle street robbery continues, including increased patrols in hotspot areas and pro-active investigations to arrest those responsible, the Metropolitan Police is asking Londoners to take some steps to help themselves.

Detective Sergeant Sean Tuckey said:

Islington Police officers take street robbery very seriously and we are working hard to catch offenders. However, the public can minimise the chance of it happening by taking some basic measures. When you are out, where possible try to keep any valuables secure.

The majority of items which are stolen during robberies in Islington are smart phones and electronic tablets like iPads. Criminals simply see these items as cash. Many robberies happen when people check their phones or use applications just after leaving train stations, or when they are going about their business and may be distracted. Adults who have consumed alcohol and have less awareness of their surroundings are also more vulnerable. We’re also aware that young people are targeted, usually by other young people.

We are not asking the public not to use their phones or media players in public – we are just advising them to be vigilant about where and when they use them.

For more information and crime prevention advice visit www.met.police.uk/crimeprevention or (for young people aged 11-16) www.safe.met.police.uk.

For more information about Islington Police go to www.met.police.uk/islington.

Contacting the local authority

To report anti-social behaviour, including noise, in streets or estates call the Council number, 020 7527 7272. The patrol hours are from 4 pm to 2 am between Sunday and Thursday and from 4 pm to 4 am between Friday and Saturday. Inside patrol hours an officer can come to resolve the problem. Outside patrol hours an attendant should take details for forwarding to the patrol, who should get back to you within 24 hours.

To report anti-social behaviour or security lapses (such as failures to lock the gates) in parks call the Parkguard number, 079 7089 3588. The patrol hours vary but tend to be from 12 noon to 11 pm. If your call is not answered, call the Council number, 020 7527 7272. You can also send an email to LBI-ParksPatrol@parkguard.co.uk, with a copy to Gavin@parkguard.co.uk.

Contacting the neighbourhood police

To report a crime (such as a car break-in) during a situation that is not dangerous and does not require urgent attention, call 101 or 0300 123 1212. Doing this will provide a crime number and ensure inclusion in the neighbourhood crime statistics.

To report during a situation that is dangerous or requires urgent attention, instead call 112 or 999.

To report or pass on intelligence anonymously to Crime Stoppers, visit www.met.police.uk/report or call 0800 555111.

To report anti-social behaviour, visit www.islington.gov.uk/reportASB or call 020 7527 7272. The out of hours response service is available from 5pm to 4am (on Friday and Saturday nights) or from 4pm to 2am (on all other nights).

To raise concerns about a young person, email csctreferrals@islington.gov.uk or call 020 7527 7400.

To make initial enquiries about adult social care (including safeguarding concerns), email access.service@islington.gov.uk or call 020 7527 2299 (during weekday working hours) or 020 7226 0992 (during all other hours).

To raise concerns about the wellbeing of someone who is sleeping rough on the streets, visit thestreetlink.org.uk or call 0300 500 0914. This sends an alert to the local outreach team who will visit the location to make contact with the person.

To contact the Islington community safety team, email CommunitySafety@islington.gov.uk.

To contact the Islington safer neighbourhood teams, email Barnsbury.snt@met.police.uk or Caledonian.snt@met.police.uk or call 020 8345 0335.