(from Sergeant Annette Anderson)




Thefts in the Broadway - There have been a number of thefts in this
area. The suspect is using a sharp implement to cut the straps off
handbags.




Lebanese Loop - On 30 September at 7.35pm a `Lebanese loop'
implement was spotted by a member of staff in the cash point of the
Nat West bank in the Broadway. Fortunately, it was discovered
before anyone used the ATM. The suspects were described as: -




Light skinned European male. 5'5" tall, proportionate build,
about 27
years old. He had short dark hair and a round face and his English
was broken. He was described as being very smart, wearing a
three-quarter length black single button coat and black trousers




The other suspect was also light skinned European male, about 27
years and slim build. He had short fair hair and broken English.
He
was wearing beige coloured waist length jacket and cream trousers.




RECENT INTELLIGENCE REGARDING CASHPOINT CRIME




Two houses in east London that were doubling up as sophisticated
`factories' producing equipment used to capture the details
of credit
and debit cards being used in cash machines around the country were
today (3 September) busted by police.


To help protect yourself from becoming a victim of cash machine
fraud, Card Watch suggests you follow these top tips -


- Check the machine to see if there is anything stuck to it or
anything
that looks unusual about it. If there is, do not use the machine -
report
it to the bank or police immediately.




- Do not let anyone see you input your PIN. Use your free hand to
cover the PIN pad to prevent anyone seeing your PIN as you key it
in.




- If you are interrupted or distracted by anyone when using an ATM,
cancel the transaction and try to recover the card.




If the machine does not return your card, report it immediately to
your
card issuer.




CHILDREN COMMITTING THEFTS IN WIMBLEDON – There
have been a number of thefts committed by eastern European children
(about 8 years old). An incident last week resulted in the theft
from a
coffee shop. The children were handing out fliers for `Dr
Barnardo's'
or similar charity. The suspects are described as: -




Male, short dark curly hair, olive skin, brown eyes and wearing a
denim jacket.




Female, olive skin, curly brown shoulder length hair tied back in a
ponytail.




BOGUS CALLERS – Two suspects targeted two houses in a short
period on 1st October 2003. They occurred between 2pm and 3pm
in Poplar Rd, SW20 and Erridge Rd, SW20. The suspects flashed a
laminate card stating they had the permission of the police to be
there.
They stated that they wished to buy antiques, and entered the
houses.
The suspects are described as: -




White male, about 40-50 years old, 5'10" tall and bald. He
was
wearing a dark suit and had a pierced left ear with a diamond stud.




Dark skinned European male, about 40 years old and had collar
length black hair. He was wearing a blue long sleeved shirt.