Forum Topic

Scams and thefts

Last night, we suffered the latest in a long line of thefts from Campion Road - fortunately just the rear lights from our Discovery - others in the street have had the whole car taken.  My husband witnessed a BMW driving round the area around 11pm, took the reg number and called 101 - but no answer (and I'm not blaming the police for being underfund and prioritising emergencies).  We've reported this to the police, and have a street WhatsApp group to share such incidents.  But does anyone have other suggestions to prevent this type of relatively petty but still disruptive crime?Also, a friend told of a scam carried out by a well-spoken and well-dressed young man on Chelverton, Dryburgh and Clarendon last week.  He rang her doorbell claiming to be a neighbour's son and  giving a surname, and asking if she could lend him £15 to pay his mini-cab which was waiting, and that he'd pay the next day.  Wanting to be a good neighbour, she gave him £20.  What would you do?

Kirsty Riddiford ● 2414d6 Comments

Perhaps cameras in the cars?  There was a case of a chap scratching the side of the Porsche and it was all recorded on the car's cameras...Or perhaps all neigbhours installing hidden CCTV cameras ensuring that you all cover a section of the road but the whole road if all recordings put together???

Ivonne Holliday ● 2414d

For Discovery owners: apparently you can screw in the rear lights, although Land Rover don't do this as a matter of course.  It makes it that bit more difficult (and noisy) to steal, as at the moment all they have to do is unplug them, it seems.If we'd only known this yesterday... Hope it's in time to help others!  Not sure about the tow bar though.  I know 2 other people who've had theirs nicked.

Kirsty Riddiford ● 2414d

A friend tells me there has been a spate of rear light thefts from Range Rovers/Landrover Discoveries in Southfields Grid area over the last few weeks too. Also rear reverse camera from BMW.  No CCTV around so thieves can work at night without being disturbed. White BMW with blacked out windows reported to be 'cruising' suspiciously at 1.15am but nobody caught.

Liam Jones ● 2414d

I had the rear lights and tow bar stolen off my Discovery too last night (Howards Lane).

David Williams ● 2414d

I've had the knock on the door from a "neighbour" needing money for a gas meter. A few years ago now but a well dresses mum-aged person.Always good to know your neighbours so when someone claims to come from a particular house you can laugh at them as you ask for ID.  Sent them home to get proof of address and they don't come back.A lot of these tales just don't stack up these days.  Uber don't take cash.  Most black cabs have a card machine.  Theft of stuff is more basic though.

Alan Sherman ● 2414d

"Wanting to be a good neighbour, she gave him £20.  What would you do?"Well, what we did a few years ago, was the same as your friend did. What we would do now is refuse, apologetically. I suppose that we could claim that we were modern and carried little cash.

David Ainsworth ● 2414d