Suspicious activity in Crawthew Grove this morning

[MDP]

A black male [for identifying purposes, I'm not racist so don't even go there trolls], late 20s-early 30s, wearing a red zip up jogging top, dark blue jeans and trainers was going up Crawthew Grove, supposedly putting leaflets in doors.

Except he did not have a bag for his leaflets, appeared to have barely a handful of cards - I watched him go into the garden of the house at the end of Crawthew Grove [the one next to where there used to be a garage] and squat down like he was looking through the letter box, I watched from a distance, and he went from house to house on the same side of the road spending far more time than any leafleter I have ever seen in the garden of each property, he appeared to clock on I was watching him at the top end of the grove and ran across where Crawthew meets Worlingham, he didn't come back down the other side of the road either.

I checked in my house and he had not put any cards or leaflets through the door, all I can think of is that either he loves staring at houses from their gardens or he was scouting for places for him/people known to him to burgle.

I know that 2 houses on Crawthew Grove near each other were burgled not too long ago, and quite a few people in the area are of the odd habit of keeping high hedges and/or not having curtains or blinds so all their possessions are in clear view of thieves...

I will make a report to the Police.

[Loz]

If it's not a silly question, why didn't you call them at the time?

[MDP]

I did, no answer, and it wasn't an emergency so I wasn't about to dial 999

[Alan Feedlebra]

suspect he may have visited us this afternoon.

[ClaireClaire]

If you see suspicious activity, call the ED Safer Neighbourhoods Team. They come in plain clothes with no flashing sirens.

I also saw suspicious activity on my street several months ago. The details don't matter -- my instinct told me that the loitering people were up to no good. However, I told myself to mind my own business and I tried to ignore it. Lo and behold, that afternoon, my neighbour was burgled.

When the police came later to take a statement from me, they encouraged me to call the police even for situations exactly like this, where you suspect something dodgy but feel a little awkward about calling 999.

East Dulwich Safer Neighbourhoods Team

[email protected]

0208 721 2447

[breadcrum45]

This fits the description of someone that was parked on crystal palace road today, he was in a black people carrier, husband said he had post bags in his boot and was delivering letters and then kept periocally returning to the car and rummaging in the boot for more letters. Husband seems to think it may have been a stand in postie. Might be worth someone checking it out with the sorting office. We have also had a set of ladders and a Plastering platform stolen from our back garden on thursday last week. Despite people being in and out the house all day nothing was seen, it wasn't scrap men as there are other bits lying about that would have been an interest.

[Laddy Muck]

breadcrum45 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> This fits the description of someone that was

> parked on crystal palace road today, he was in a

> black people carrier

I shouldn't...but...

A vehicle specifically for carrying black people?

Please don't hit me...:))

[James Barber]

Please if anyone spots suspicious activity - call the Police first if necessary 999 - and THEN create a thread at your leisure.

The Police regularly tell me how incredinl;y fristrating it is that people don't immediately tell them but instead create debates on places like EDF.

[MDP]

@James - I DID in fact call the police if you bothered to read my reply to Loz - THEY didn't reply and it WASNT an emergency.

Thanks for the far more useful reply ClareClare, have filed a report via email.

[Willard]

MDP, I think what James is saying that, according to his feedback from the police, they would prefer people to report suspicious behaviour like you witnessed to 999 even if it turns out to be a false alarm.

Clare, thanks for the info. Perhaps there could be a special page on the forum somewhere for all useful local numbers like that. Admin?

[Pickle]

There is already a page with all the useful info:

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/services_index.php

[james84]

, they would prefer

> people to report suspicious behaviour like you

> witnessed to 999 even if it turns out to be a

> false alarm.

>

If that is what James is saying then he really doesnt have a clue what he is talking about and should refrain from posting idiotic comments on the forum.

[StraferJack]

There is a thread not centimetres from this one where PeckhamRose has posted several useful numbers

there is also a page on here dedicated to useful local numbers

oops - I see Pickle beat me to it

[Willard]

Cool, thanks guys...

[Tylertoes]

Call the Met non emergency line, they will prioritise the calland a unit will be sent at some point 0300 123 1212. If incidents like this are reported the police will step up patrols in the area....

[James Barber]

Hi james84 & MDP,

I was reporting what local Police tell me. The Safer Neighbourhood Teams are not 24/7 or even every day. If it's that urgent by the time you've found the number and called them it could be all over.

I have had a similar experience and the Police officer who came was annoyed I had not called 999 as he was clear they would have arrived earlier and the description I gave fitted in with other information they had.

999 operators are trained to filter out rubbish calls. But what you described sounds suspicious in the extreme.

[Willard]

james84 Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

>

> If that is what James is saying then he really

> doesnt have a clue what he is talking about and

> should refrain from posting idiotic comments on

> the forum.

Bit harsh and unnecessary fella!

[ClareC]

We had cause to call 999 and was put on hold!! That said, once did speak with operator response time was unbeleivably fast, around 2 mins!!

[Atticus]

Why are people so obtuse with James? The guy is trying to help, twisting his words like that is pathetic. We are fortunate to have a pro-active councillor.

[Sue]

Atticus Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Why are people so obtuse with James? The guy is

> trying to help, twisting his words like that is

> pathetic. We are fortunate to have a pro-active

> councillor.

xxxxxx

Agreed

[breadcrum45]

James Barber Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Please if anyone spots suspicious activity - call

> the Police first if necessary 999 - and THEN

> create a thread at your leisure.

> The Police regularly tell me how incredinl;y

> fristrating it is that people don't immediately

> tell them but instead create debates on places

> like EDF.

My message was added as the description fitted, not as my hubby dectected any suspicious activity, he thought it was a bit strange but didn't in the slightest bit deem it to be suspicious.

[DJKillaQueen]

You can call the nearest station direct for non emergency calls that may require attendance. Every main Police Station has a direct line where operators are on duty 24/7 - you don't have to refer to the SNT for all non 999 calls.