Background to Park Langley Neighbourhood Watch

The main aim of the Park Langley Neighbourhood Watch scheme is to create a partnership between the local community, the police and the local authority. Park Langley, Beckenham, is a well defined area bordered by three roads - Hayes Lane, Barnfield Wood Road and Wickham Way.  The properties contained within this triangle form the Park Langley Residents' Association and the Neighbourhood Watch is a sub-committee of this Association. 

Park Langley then forms part of Shortlands Ward which is a designated area for the Metropolitan Police's Safer Neighbourhood Police Team.  Shortlands Ward extends from Shortlands Railway station along the railway line to the RBS building in Bromley South, then past the shops in Westmoreland Road to Wickham Way (Barnfield Wood Road is not included in Shortlands Ward- it forms part of West Wickham).  Along Wickham Way to the Chinese Rounabout, back along Hayes Way, past the library to Shortlands Station.

There are no public houses or places of entertainment in Shortlands Ward and hence this ward has the 2nd lowest crime figure (2004) for the 632 London Wards.  Only Downe in Biggin Hill is lower.  However, national crime is increasing and there is no room for complacency.

This site serves to bring you up to date information on police news concerning Park Langley.  The Safer Neighbourhood panel meets to discuss issues which concern us and what we expect the police to be on the look out for.  Our input is important - please use this website.

Please contact Park Langley Neighbourhood Watch here  Neighbourhood Watch Members here

There have been two disturbing burglaries in the Elwill Way/Barnfield Wood Road area over New Year.  Disturbing in the sense that the burglars ransacked the house while the burglar alarm sounded.  In the second burglary, the alarm sounded and the alarm was connected to a central station.  The station dialled the phone of the house and with that the burglars left.

What can be learnt for other properties? A sounding burglar alarm does not necessarily cause neighbours to investigate (which is a shame).  A phone call however changed the burglar's plans as they thought the police might be on their way.  Central Station monitoring is expensive and deters householders.  However consider a Honewell Speech Dialler.  This box is activated by the alarm and rings three phone numbers with a prepared statement.  The recipient then rings back which in turn serves the purpose of the burglars thinking the police might be on their way.  It is worth considering for a price of something like £60.

The police have some clues to go on but in the meantime, please be extra vigilant.  If you have any information (ie a large van must have been used to remove the amount of property) then please let the local police know on 0300 123 12 12.

Another security measure to consider might be to mark all valuable items (or items of interest to thieves such as plasma TVs, laptops, Wiis etc) with DNA.  A Company offers a kit with window stickers and bottle of DNA solution for £50 without yearly registration.  The DNA is registered to you alone and should lost items be found, the thief will be prosecuted and the item returned.  This should be a deterrent.

As of 17th January 2010, the Police have advised of two further burglaries in the Park Langley area.  This brings the total for the month to four.

Park Langley residents - please be aware!