May 2008

International Day Against Homophobia

Bromley Police issue internet chatroom warning

Pick-pocket sentenced to 18 months imprisonment

Bromley gets safer as crime falls

International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO)

The International Day Against Homophobia (IDAHO) is on Saturday 17 May 2008 and Bromley Police is re-affirming its commitment to combating hate crime by holding an event to encourage victims of homophobic and transphobic incidents to report them. A couple of police vehicles will be parked in Market Square, Bromley covered in rainbow flags and coloured balloons, with a gazebo close by. Bromley Police's LGBT (Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender) liaison officers will be at the stand throughout the day to offer advice and assistance.

The event will also officially launch Bromley's LGBT surgeries that are to be held once a month for the next 6 months at the Central Library, High Street Bromley, with the aim of encouraging the LGBT community to report cases of Hate Crime. It is believed that Homophobic crime is under reported across London and the message from Bromley Police is "Don't tolerate it. Report it. Stop it".

The surgeries will be held on :

Saturday 28th June 2008 12pm - 3pm

Saturday 26th July 2008 12pm - 3pm

Saturday 23rd August 2008 12pm - 3pm

Saturday 27th September 2008 12pm - 3pm

Saturday 25th October 2008 12pm - 3pm

Saturday 22nd November 2008 12pm - 3pm

Bromley Police's LGBT liaison officers and other agencies also hold a LGBT Forum on the second Tuesday of each month at The Star & Garter in Bromley High Street. The forum commences at 1830hrs and anyone with any concerns is invited to come along and speak in confidence with a friendly and understanding liaison officer.

Inspector Andy Johnstone from Bromley Police said "Bromley Police is committed to work with its diverse communities, to understand their needs and concerns and to make sure they have a voice. There has been increased mutual trust and co-operation with lesbian, gay, bi-sexual and transgender groups in Bromley recently - we are, however, under no illusions at the work still to be done. We will continue and increase our efforts, but I would appeal to members of the LGBT communities to join with us. We would very much welcome new members to discuss how we can continue what we are doing right and improve what we are not. Please do come and attend these surgeries and forums.

The date of IDAHO is particularly significant as it was on 17 May 1990 that the World Health Organisation removed homosexuality from its list of mental disorders - just 18 years ago. However, 77 countries continue to punish women, men and children because of their sexuality. IDAHO provides a platform for everyone to come together to demand improvements for quality of life overseas and in the UK and stop LGBT communities being sidelined from mainstream society".

Anyone with any queries or concerns can telephone Bromley Police's LGBT liaison officers on 07872 677941 or contact them via email:

G.PY-LGBTusers@...

Bromley Police issue internet chatroom warning

Bromley Police are issuing a warning to children and parents about using internet chatrooms.

Internet chat rooms are particularly popular among young computer users, especially those services provided through the major web portals and on individual websites. It offers the facility for instant and realtime access to people of all ages and backgrounds from across the world, and enables children and adults alike to interact on a level playing field, regardless of many of the social, cultural, religious, geographical or potentially discriminatory obstacles which may otherwise inhibit them.

However, it is essential to recognise that this facility can also be abused by a criminal minority to make contact with children with a view to establishing and developing a sexual relationship with them in the 'real world'. Such relationships can then be pursued through other media such as instant messaging, email and mobile telephones.

Detective Inspector Jane Corrigan from Bromley Police said: "So many teenagers and children now have access to the Internet and chat rooms, we think it's important to remind teenagers and parents of the dangers of meeting people via this method.  

In the real world, we take care of our own safety, unfortunately there are safe and unsafe people in both the real world and the Internet.  We can be responsible for our own safety wherever we are, no matter what we are doing - the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre (CEOP) provides advice for parents, young people and schools and we would people to visit its website for practical advice about computer use.

I would especially like to warn young people that if you are ever chatting with someone you do not know, avoid giving out your name, address, phone numbers, or password and you shouldn't send pictures of yourself without a parent's permission. Meeting someone you have contacted in cyberspace can be dangerous. Only do so with your parents' permission, and then only when they can be present".

Six Chatsafe Tips

• Anyone could identify you if you give out personal details, photographs, or any other information, such as information about your family, where you live or the school you go to

• Can you always believe what someone is saying? - they may not be who they seem

• If you're thinking about arranging to meet someone you?ve only ever previously met on the Internet tell a parent, your carer or an adult. Ask their permission and take a responsible adult with you. Having the first meeting in a public place means people are around if it goes wrong

• Staying in public chatroom areas means that other people are around and it is harder for someone to say something you might feel uncomfortable about

• Always 'virus check' any attachment or file. Don't open or download anything unless you know and trust the person who has sent it

• If you receive anything that you feel uncomfortable about don't respond, save or print it, log off and tell an adult

Pick-pocket sentenced to 18 months imprisonment

Anne-Marie McDonagh, 39 of Bekesbourne Tower, Wichling Close, Orpington was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment at Croydon Crown Court on 1 May 2008. 

McDonagh and her sister, Mary McDonagh, 26 also of Bekesbourne Tower, Wichling Close, Orpington had both pled guilty to:

• Stealing a purse containing £21 and mobile phone from an 83 year old female in Card Factory, High Street, Orpington on 24 January 2008

• Stealing a purse containing £50 from a 50 year old female in Burger King, High Street, Orpington on 14 January 2008

• Stealing a purse containing £20 from a 65 year old female in Icelands, Petts Wood on 27 December 2007

• Attempting to steal a purse from a female in British Heart Foundation, High Street, Orpington on 22 January 2008

with 17 other offences taken into consideration at Bromley Magistrates Court on Monday 28 January.  Mary McDonagh was sentenced to six months imprisonment on the day. 

Detective Inspector Jane Corrigan from Bromley Police said "I am pleased with the significant prison sentence handed down to Anne-Marie McDonagh, as it will afford her plenty of time to reflect on his crimes. 

Those who commit this type of offence must expect to be punished severely and  I hope these convictions demonstrate our commitment to relentlessly pursue and bring to justice all offenders, especially those who would prey on the more vulnerable members of our community".

Bromley gets safer as crime falls

The annual crime figures were released at the end of last week, showing a significant decrease in crime in Bromley Borough over the last 12 months. For the period 01 April 2007 to 31 March 2008, total crime in the borough decreased by 11.4%.

• Robbery was down by 30.4%

• Burglary was down by 7.1%

• Motor vehicle crime was down by 13.5%

• Violence against the person was down by 11.4%

• Rape was down by 23.9%

• Criminal damage was down by 15.3%

• Theft of pedal cycles was down by 4.7%

• Knife enabled crime was down by 22.1%

Acting Borough Commander, Superintendent Matt Bell said of the figures:

"The latest crime figures for Bromley reflect the figures across the MPS as a whole. Overall crime in Bromley has fallen by 11.4% - that's 3,229 fewer crimes in the borough and we have seen decreases in robbery, burglary, vehicle crime, assaults, criminal damage and knife enabled crime.

These figures really do speak for themselves and I am really proud of our efforts to reduce crime on the borough and the effective partnership working that has led to this achievement. All officers and staff work tirelessly to reduce crime and disorder, and to bring offenders to justice. The challenge now is to maintain that performance and to increase the confidence that residents have in our ability to make Bromley one of the safest boroughs in London".

Gun enabled crime has increased by 9.7%, an increase of 7 offences on the previous year, although Bromley remains one of the lowest boroughs for this type of offence.

Superintendent Matt Bell said in respect of this: "Gun crime is, thankfully, very rare in this borough, but we are not complacent about the challenges we face in forcing home the message that carrying an illegal firearm is simply unacceptable. The irresponsible use of replica weapons or air weapons obviously places members of the public and police officers in very dangerous situations.

The maximum penalty for carrying an imitation firearm is five years imprisonment. Whether the gun is a BB gun or a genuine firearm, our response is always the same and that is to deploy armed officers. We are trying to reduce the irresponsible use of such weapons. It is often difficult for officers to differentiate between imitation firearms and the real thing".