Police advice/requests

[James Barber]

Edited to make clear that Stewart is our East Dulwich Police Safer Neighbourhood Team sergeant.

The following is a cut and paste response asking for advice for local resident and business owners.

Some residents are scared and may be running low of essentials so I'd like to emphasise checking your neighbours are ok and don't need any help or reassurance.

"Hi James,

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We had some opportunist lootings in East Dulwich last night - mostly concentrated around the Lordship Lane area (as I'm sure you're aware). The disorder we saw here looked to be local people taking advantage of the serious situations in Peckham and Walworth. There is an?small possibility that some outsiders joined in?after Lordship Lane in Tottenham was widely publicised as?being targeted,?but we are confident the culprits are local.

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In regards to advice, I would echo the call of our Temporary Commissioner by saying to parents of young people of all ages to?ask them to stay in tonight and make sure?they know where they are. Don't take their word for it that they are staying at a?friends houses or that they are out of the area. Secure business premises as best you can and make sure that cash and valuables are removed (a sign on the window to that effect may help around here, the primary driver seems to be personal gain rather than violence and arson). Check on vulnerable neighbours and be vigilant on each others behalf. Please don't put yourselves at personal risk to protect property, it is far more important to keep yourselves safe. If you know the identity of looters or know the name of someone in possession of looted goods, please telephone us or Crimestoppers (in confidence if necessary).

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We were on duty into the small hours and just managed to grab a couple of hours sleep before getting back in for 1000. We will most likely be on into the early morning again tonight. I have been up and down Lordship Lane several times?today speaking with?people and giving what advice we can. We have also had a lot of thank you gifts delivered to the police station!

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Finally - don't believe the social networks! Almost nothing has happened this morning, but we are getting deluged with calls from people saying they have heard that the borough is being ransacked.

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Regards

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Stewart"

[tarafitness]

Thank you Stewart and thank you James for posting that :-)

[maggierichards]

Yes, thank you, both.