191 reported crimes in Teddington during 2010·and Teddington man jailed

A new website has been launched this week www.police.uk that brings national crime statistics to a more local level, using local maps.  The site was so flooded with initial visits from the public that it was difficult to access earlier in the week.

The Crime Maps page gives valuable information for Teddington and the statistics are broken down into six sections:-

1.    Burglary.  2.    Anti-social behaviour.  3.    Robbery 4.    Vehicle crime.  5.    Violent crime.  6.    Other.

The ‘other’ section includes crimes reported to the police, and other criminal activity such as criminal damage, shoplifting and drug offences.

The Overview page contains details of Teddington's Safer Neighbourhoods Team, regularly published on Teddington People.  Also, the page highlights CCTV footage of criminal behaviour around London.  The Get involved page lists the regular Safer Neighbourhood team’s Teddington surgeries, again regularly published here on Teddington People.  The Information and Advice page gives advice on specific areas of crime and how to protect yourself, your friends and family, and your property.

The remaining site links are Help, Data, Feedback and Apps on the top right of the website where you can read more about how the statistics are calculated, download data, provide feedback, and download Apps to your smart phone.

The statistics highlight that Teddington is not immune to crime.  Burglary is a worry for many Teddington residents and shop owners.  Anti-social behaviour is a concern in Teddington, as is bike crime.  Teddington residents should rely on each other to watch out for people’s safety and for safety to property.    

This week, Charles Victor Scarrott of Twickenham Road, Teddington was jailed for eight and a half years for tax evasion - to the value of £25m.  The property director, who pleaded guilty at Kingston Crown Court, owned a penthouse in Teddington amongst many other assets.  The HMRC are now looking to sequester these assets.

What do you think of the website?  Do you think it’s a good idea?  Are the reported crimes accurate, or do you know that many crimes go unreported? Do you go to the local police surgeries or have a local neighbourhood watch in your street?