Stephen Lawrence Day - MetEngage Longlands

Today, 22 April, marks Stephen Lawrence Day. This year’s theme, ‘Every Future Needs a Foundation’, highlights the importance of giving young people the skills and support they need to reach their full potential.

Since Stephen’s tragic murder in 1993, far too many more lives have been lost to violence, leaving lasting impacts on families and communities. On the anniversary of Stephen’s death, we pause to reflect and honour all those lives lost to violence and consider how we, as a partnership and as individuals, can stand up to racism and hate, and work towards a safer, more inclusive future for all. 💚

Hate and knife crime don’t just affect the victim — they impact families, friends, and entire communities. We are committed to working together to keep Bexley safe. We will not tolerate hate crime or knife crime. 

Report incidents:
👉www.met.police.uk or call 101
👤 Anonymous reporting: www.crimestoppers-uk.org or 0800 555 111
🚨 In an emergency, always call 999

Support is available for victims, witnesses, and families:
🤝 London Victim and Witness Service: 0808 168 9291
🌐 Services via www.bexley.gov.uk/hate-crime

 

Find out more: www.stephenlawrenceday.org

#StephenLawrenceDay #KeepingBexleySafe #EveryFutureNeedsAFoundation

Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/429652/Stephen-Lawrence-Day 

Stalking awareness week - MetEngage Bexleyheath

📢This week is Stalking Awareness Week, a period to highlight the impact stalking has on victims and to strengthen our collective understanding of how to recognise and respond to it.

Stalking is not about isolated incidents — it’s a pattern of unwanted, fixated, and obsessive behaviour that causes fear or distress. It can include repeated messages, unwanted gifts, monitoring someone’s movements, showing up uninvited, or using technology to track or harass.

This week, we will be raising awareness of Stalking and support. Join us!

👉 Bexleyheath Shopping Centre (outside the Entertainer), Monday 20 April, at 2pm. Come talk with us, get safety information and resources.

 

👉 Suzy Lamplugh Trust will also be holding a virtual conference titled ‘Fatal Fixation: Understanding the Link between Stalking and Homicide’ on Tuesday 21 April, 10am – 1pm. Register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/fatal-fixation-understanding-the-link-between-stalking-and-homicide-registration-1984759321559?aff=oddtdtcreator

 

Victims often describe feeling constantly watched, controlled, or unsafe. Many minimise their experiences or worry they won’t be believed. That’s why awareness matters.

This week, we encourage everyone to:

📝Learn the signs of stalking and understand that it is a criminal offence

👂Listen and take concerns seriously

💡 Know where to signpost for support

❌Challenge myths that minimise or excuse stalking behaviour

Together, we can help create an environment where victims feel believed, supported, and safe to seek help. 💚

#KeepingBexleySafe #StalkingAwarenessWeek

www.bexley.gov.uk/vawg

 

Stalking is a crime. You are not overreacting. If you’re worried about someone’s behaviour, help is available. 💚

This #StalkingAwarenessWeek, make a commitment to raising awareness and educating yourself on what to do if you or someone you know thinks they are being stalked. 

For more information, visit www.bexley.gov.uk/vawg 

Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/429648/Stalking-awareness-week 

Dispersal Zone put in place in Sidcup - MetEngage Sidcup

Good afternoon,

Due to ongoing incidents of anti-social behaviour (ASB) along Sidcup High Street over the past few evenings, a Dispersal Zone has been authorised by Inspector Evans under Section 35 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act.

This power allows officers to take swift and effective action to prevent further ASB.

Powers under Section 35

Under this authority, officers may:

Direct any individual who is contributing to, or is likely to contribute to, anti-social behaviour to leave the specified area

Require individuals to leave immediately and not return for up to 48 hours

Require the surrender of items that may be used or are likely to be used to cause ASB

Use reasonable force if necessary to enforce a direction

Arrest without warrant anyone who fails to comply with a direction given under Section 35

These powers should be used where necessary and proportionate to prevent further anti-social behaviour.

Officers attending Sidcup High Street during this period are encouraged to make use of this power where appropriate. If ongoing ASB is observed, please contact the police on 101 to report it so that we can respond accordingly.

📅 Duration of the Dispersal Zone

From: 1700 hrs on 17 April 2026

To: 1700 hrs on 19 April 2026

📍 Area Covered

Sidcup High Street, from Cross Road to Christchurch Road

Including 100 metres into:

• Craybrook Road
• St John’s Road
• Hadlow Road
• Hatherley Road
• Station Road
• Christchurch Road
• Elm Road
• The Crescent
• Nelson Road
• Church Road

Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/430398/Dispersal-Zone-put-in-place-in-Sidcup

Community Safety in Focus: Met Engage and Bexley Watch at Bexleyheath Library

On Thursday, 16th April 2026, the local community gathered at Bexleyheath Library for a productive day of engagement focused on resident safety and crime prevention. The event brought together representatives from Met Engage and Bexley Watch Coordinators, providing a vital opportunity for members of the public to speak directly with those working to keep the borough safe.

Expert Advice on Hand

The library’s heritage area was transformed into an information hub, with a dedicated stand featuring a wide array of resources. Officers and coordinators were available throughout the day to discuss local concerns and provide practical, actionable advice.

The primary focus of the session was empowering residents with the tools and knowledge to protect themselves and their property. From home security to staying safe in the digital world, the team covered a broad spectrum of safety topics.

Practical Tips for Resident Safety

The event highlighted several key areas of crime prevention, many of which are detailed in the new "Bexley Resident Safety & Crime Prevention" guide. Key takeaways from the day included:

• Protect Your Home: Simple steps can make a significant difference. Installing quality, certified locks and securing all entry points—including back gates and windows—are essential first steps. Many residents also discussed the benefits of smart doorbells and security cameras as effective deterrents.

• Stay Secure Online: With the rise of sophisticated phishing attempts, the team emphasized the importance of using unique, strong passwords and a password manager. Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) on all critical accounts remains one of the best ways to protect personal data.

• Vehicle Security: Simple habits, such as ensuring valuables are removed from cars and keeping keys out of sight and away from doors and windows, were highlighted as crucial measures to prevent opportunistic theft.

Getting Involved with Bexley Watch

One of the highlights of the day was the promotion of the Bexley Neighbourhood Watch. Community safety is a collective effort, and the event encouraged residents to join local schemes, sign up for safety newsletters, and attend community meetings with their Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

By staying informed and looking out for one another, residents play a vital role in creating a more secure environment for everyone.

How to Report Concerns

The team also reinforced the correct channels for reporting crime:

• In an emergency, always call 999.

• For non-emergencies, call 101 or use the advanced reporting portal at met.police.uk.

• Anonymous reporting can be done via Crimestoppers.

Events like these are essential for building stronger links between the Met and the Bexley community. Thank you to everyone who stopped by the library to share their thoughts and pick up safety resources.

For more information on local initiatives and upcoming events, please visit metengage.co.uk.

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PayPal '1p' deposit scam warning

Watch out for a genuine PayPal email that scammers are manipulating to lure you into a phone scam. The fraudster first deposits 1p into your PayPal account, which triggers a genuine email from PayPal about the deposit. The email tells you to call a number if you don't recognise the transaction, but that number will connect you to a scammer.

Find out how this scam works and what to do if you receive one of these emails or calls. 

Source: Which? (16 Apr 2026) 

Booking.com data breach: what you need to know

Customers of Booking.com have received emails warning that their data, including names, home addresses and phone numbers, may have been exposed following 'unauthorised' access to their reservations.

We're warning people to be vigilant, as the breach is likely to increase the chances of targeted, personalised scams in the coming months. Find out what you should do to protect yourself. 

Source: Which? (15 Apr 2026) 

5 tips to avoid ticket scams

From the World Cup to the Wimbledon Championships, lots of exciting events are taking place this summer.

If you want to secure last-minute tickets for an in-demand event, it's important to stay vigilant to ticket scams and dud deals. Check out our top tips for buying tickets safely and avoid being swindled by a scammer.

Source: Which? (15 Apr 2026)