Hanwell Burglaries

POLICE urge residents to be vigilant after a spate of distraction burglaries in the Hanwell area.

The roads on either side of Boston Road heading through Olde Hanwell have been targeted by burglars and PC Mark Ogunwe of the Elthorne Safer Neighbourhood Team said houses with alleys behind seem to be the most vulnerable.

At a Hanwell Community Forum meeting last week, PC Ogunwe urged residents to keep their wits about them when answering the front door.

He said: "It has been reported that one person knocks to see if anyone is home and the accomplice gains access to the garden before breaking a ground floor window.

"We are stepping up patrols, providing leaflets and encouraging people to attend drop-in surgeries to report any suspicious activity.

"In partnership with Ealing Council, we hope to set up a gating scheme to act as a deterrent to burglars.

"If you do go on holiday, inform your neighbours, make sure you lock your doors and windows and if you're suspicious of someone selling things at your door, you can report it to the Elthorne SNT."

Carolyn Brown of the Hanwell Steering Group is also urging residents to keep an eye out for elderly neighbours.

Visit http://www.met.police.uk/teams/ealing/elthorne/index.php or call 020 8721 2951. Always dial 999 in an emergency.