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.

Scan QR for additional resources

 [click images to view enlarged]

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) 

Spring Ready, Fire Steady: How to Protect Your London Garden This Season 🌿🔥

As the days brighten and the mercury begins to rise, many of us are heading outdoors to tackle the annual spring clean. But this year, "getting the garden ready" means more than just planting primroses and painting the shed.

Following a stark increase in incidents last year—where wildfires in the capital actually doubled compared to 2023—Londoners are being urged to think about fire safety as part of their seasonal maintenance.

While we often associate wildfires with vast countryside, our city’s gardens, parks, and verges are equally vulnerable. In particular, outer boroughs such as Bexley, Havering, Bromley, Hillingdon, and Enfield have been identified as high-risk areas due to their increased green space and proximity to grasslands.

Here is how you can help protect your home, your neighbours, and our local wildlife by fire-proofing your garden this spring.

1. Create Vital Fire Breaks

Think of a fire break as a "stop sign" for flames. You can create these by clearing strips of land around the edge of your property. By removing long grass, weeds, and dry leaves, you create a gap where there is no "fuel" for a fire to travel across. This simple bit of landscaping can be the difference between a grass fire reaching your fence or fizzling out.

2. Clear the Clutter

It’s easy for garden waste to pile up in a corner, but dry shrubs, fallen branches, and old grass cuttings are highly flammable. Avoid letting this debris accumulate near fences, wooden decking, or the walls of your home. If a spark from a nearby fire or a discarded cigarette lands in a pile of dry garden waste, it can ignite in seconds.

3. Dispose of Waste Safely

If you are clearing out a large amount of organic matter, keep it in secure, tidy piles well away from buildings while you wait to dispose of it. Better yet, make use of your local council’s brown bin collections or visit a local reuse and recycling centre regularly to ensure the "fuel" is removed from your property entirely.

4. Be Mindful of Glass and Matches

While tidying, keep an eye out for any litter that might have blown into your hedges. Glass bottles can magnify the sun’s rays and start fires on dry grass, while old lighters or matches remain a hazard.

Why it Matters

London’s green spaces are what make our city so special, providing a home for everything from stag beetles to hedgehogs. By taking these small, proactive steps now, we aren't just tidying up; we are creating a buffer zone that protects our community.

Let’s enjoy the warmer weather responsibly. A little bit of work today could prevent a major incident tomorrow.

---

For more information on staying safe, you can visit the official guidance from the London Fire Brigade.

🔥visit LFB 🔥

[click image to vie enlarged]

 Is your garden fire-ready? 🌿🔥

As the weather warms up, we’re all excited to get back into our gardens. But did you know that grass fires in London doubled last year?

If you live in Bexley, Havering, Bromley, Hillingdon, or Enfield, your area is at higher risk. Let’s work together to protect our homes and our local wildlife by making three simple changes this spring:

✅ Create Fire Breaks: Keep grass short and clear dry leaves from your boundaries. ✅ Clear the Clutter: Don't let dry shrubs or waste pile up near your fence or shed. ✅ Dispose Safely: Move garden waste regularly to your brown bin or local recycling centre.

A little spring cleaning today can prevent a fire tomorrow. Stay safe, London! 🚒

#LondonFire #GardenSafety #SpringClean #FirePrevent #LondonGardens #BexleyFire