Dear all

As many of you have pointed out, these aren't police figures and the methodolgy means that they probably don't correspond with police figures. Furthermore, they represent five years of data and things change a lot over such a period. I regularly view detailed crime maps for Lewisham Borough and Forest Hill Ward is rarely the most burgled Ward in Lewisham let alone in London. In fact I have just examined a police map of burglaries for Lewisham Borough for four weeks up to 5th August that shows Forest Hill ward had four burglaries in this period of a total 106 across lewisham Borough. So Forest Hill was a lot quieter for burglaries than many wards in Lewisham in this period.

Having said that, police analysis shows that Forest Hill has had a growing burglary problem in recent weeks that is a concern to Lewisham Police and us as the Safer Neighbourhood Team and we are planning some measures to tackle this. This growing problem can also be seen at the Met's Crime Mapping website which shows that Forest Hill Ward had an above average number of burglaries in June 2009.

Met crime mapping website:

http://maps.met.police.uk/

However, residents can take simple precautions that reduce the chances of being burgled. For instance, ensuring windows are shut when you are out, leaving lights on when you are out, fitting secure locks etc. Many burglaries are opportunist so don't give them the opportunity.

Forest Hill SNT carry out security surveys whereby we will come to your house and check the security such as locks etc and give crime prevention advice. If you would like such a survey, please reply to this thread and we will set one up for you.

Kind regards

Forest Hill Safer Neighbourhood Team