Community Contact : Sat 07 Mar 15:00 - MetEngage Crayford and Barnehurst

 Hi Resident

Community Contact
When & Where is it?
Sat 07 Mar 2026 15:00
Crayford Library, 176 Townhall Square Dartford DA1 4FN ///bath.stove.wink Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/409738/Community-Contact--Sat-07-Mar-1500

Scammers are impersonating the police

Our dedicated team of fraud experts are always on the lookout for scams targeting people across the UK.

Recent tactics to be aware of include scammers impersonating the police, and creating fake crime reference numbers in an attempt to steal your personal and financial details. See the full list, based on your reports to our Which? Scam Action Alerts Facebook community and scam sharer tool.

Source: Which? (03 Mar 2026)

Watch out for fake Tesco websites

Scammers are attempting to con shoppers using fake websites, including impersonations of Amazon, Boots and Tesco. To make the copycat sites appear legitimate, the fraudsters closely mimick the genuine web addresses of the brands, which is a tactic known as typosquatting.

We've collected some examples so you can learn how to spot a fake site, plus our experts share six warning signs to look out for.

Source: Which? (05 Mar 2026)

Scareware: watch out for these dodgy pop-ups

Scareware is a type of scam that sees pop-ups appear on your phone, tablet or computer screen, which say that your device has been infected with viruses or malware.

These messages are designed to cause panic and trick you into clicking on a link to a malicious website or downloading rogue software onto your device. To avoid getting caught out, see the steps you should take if you experience this.

Source: Which? (04 Mar 2026)

Drugs Warrants and Anti Social behaviour Disruption Sidcup - MetEngage Longlands, St Marys, Sidcup, Blackfen, Blendon & Penhill, Welling

On Friday 27 February, following a prolonged investigation and close partnership work with Bexley Council and Housing officials, officers from Bexley Safer Neighbourhood Teams executed three drugs warrants in the Sidcup area. These warrants were carried out in direct response to ongoing community concerns about drug‑related anti‑social behaviour.

Drugs were recovered from each of the addresses targeted.

Using the evidence obtained during the enforcement activity—together with information provided by local residents and our partner agencies—officers attended Bromley Magistrates’ Court on Saturday 28 February, where they successfully secured a three‑month Closure Order for a flat that had been the source of persistent ASB for several months.

This outcome is an excellent result for the community and demonstrates what can be achieved when residents, partners, and police work together to tackle issues that impact safety and quality of life.

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If you have any information or Concerns then please contact your Local Police on Met Engage, or 101. In emergency please call 999

Report Concerns Anonymously

If you have information about drug-related activity or anti-social behaviour, you can contact Crimestoppers anonymously:

📞 0800 555 111
🌐 crimestoppers-uk.org

Your information can help keep your community safe.

This is a excellent result for our community and showcases what can be achieved by our communities, partners and police working together. 

Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/409074/Drugs-Warrants-and-Anti-Social-behaviour-Disruption-Sidcup

Local Priorities Burglary Message - MetEngage West Heath

I wanted to provide you with an update regarding burglary, which people around your area have highlighted as an issue of concern on the priority survey.

 Increase in Burglaries – Bexley Borough

We are currently seeing an increase in burglary offences across the Bexley borough including West Heath Your local Safer Neighbourhood Teams are carrying out increased patrols and working to identify those responsible.

We are asking residents to please remain vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour immediately. This includes:

• Unknown persons knocking on doors or looking into properties
• Individuals attempting door handles or accessing side/rear gardens
• Vehicles or persons repeatedly driving or walking slowly along resiential roads
• Anyone acting in a way that causes concern in your area

While we will continue to pursue burglars in the area, there are steps you can do to help keep your property safe. Make sure that you:  

• Double lock your door every time you leave the house  

• If you can, move garden furniture or bins away from windows so that thieves cannot use them to gain access.  

• Use laminated glass or security film on ground floor and accessible windows.  

• Use a sash stop if you have sash windows to prevent people opening them enough to climb through.  

• If your windows open outwards, use a key operated lock – check these are locked before leaving the house.  

• Make sure all valuables are out of sight. 

• Keep handbags and keys away from letterboxes or cat flaps.  

• In the evening shut the curtains and leave lights on.  

• Set your burglar alarm 

• Lock your  shed or garage 

• Mark, register or record your valuables. 

Please go to our website to find the latest advice and guidance on keeping yourself safe.

If you ever experience this issue or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk/, speak to an operator in our Force Communications Room via our online web chat or call the non-emergency number 101.  

Get Involved

Please consider getting involved and contribute to the local priority survey, we may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on.  Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 

Please click here to complete the survey

We are working on our brand-new strategy for how we police London and we want your help. Our New Met for London: Phase 2 strategy will guide how we deliver on behalf of Londoners over the next three years.

Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/402778/Local-Priorities-Burglary-Message 

 

Do you own a Toyota? Specifically, the model RAV4 - MetEngage Thamesmead East

To Whom this may concern, 

 

We have noticed an increase in motor vehicle thefts on the ward, specifically Toyota RAV4. 

 

Please make sure you leave your vehicle secure by purchasing anti-theft items. We would strongly recommend a full steering wheel disc lock or a “ghost immobiliser” – however, please do your research before buying these items. 

 

If you have neighbours, friends or family to have this model please make them aware of this. 

 

Thank you, 

Thamesmead East Safer neighbourhood team.  

Source: https://www.metengage.co.uk/Alerts/A/397432/Do-you-own-a-Toyota-Specifically-the-model-RAV4