MY LOCAL BOBBY

On Saturday the 19th of October, St John Ambulance hosted a valuable first aid session, right in the heart of Ipswich high street. Your Bobbies Adam, Curtis and Evander took the opportunity to engage with the community and support the initiative, reinforcing the importance of first aid skills in keeping the public safe. My Local Bobby are always proud to support and collaborate with organisations that share our commitment to community safety and wellbeing. Ipswich Central #FirstAid #CommunityEngagement #StJohnAmbulance #PublicSafety #MyLocalBobby

Scams to Avoid – Don’t Fall for Distractions 👀 Last week, we talked about bag cutting, but another common scam you need to watch out for is distraction scams. It’s one of the oldest tricks in the book, and it usually involves multiple people. One person distracts you while the other grabs your valuables—quick and subtle. 🛑 What to watch out for: ➡ Someone asking for directions or trying to get you to take their photo. ➡ Spills of food or drink that seem to come out of nowhere. ➡ Street performers or children suddenly surrounding you. ➡ A sudden brawl or disturbance that grabs your attention. 🛡 How to avoid it: ➡ Stay aware of your surroundings, especially in busy tourist spots like Leicester Square, Covent Garden, and Camden Market. ➡ If something feels off or staged, don’t engage. ➡ Keep your belongings secured and close to your body at all times. Be cautious in crowded areas! Next week, we’ll dive into fake luxury goods scams and how to avoid being tricked by counterfeit sellers. #ScamsToAvoid #DistractionScams #StaySafe #LondonTips #MyLocalBobby #CommunitySafety

Hammer-Wielding Suspect Detained by Your Bobbies in Central London On the 30th of October, during a routine meeting, your Bobbies received an urgent report from a health and beauty store in Central London about an individual who had smashed a display with a hammer before attempting to steal high-value items. Thanks to a vigilant member of the public, the stolen goods were recovered. Your Bobbies responded immediately, locating the suspect nearby and safely detaining him, given the potential threat. He was arrested for attempted theft and criminal damage, and £706 worth of merchandise was secured. 🛡️ Why it matters: Swift, coordinated action between your Bobbies and the community is crucial to ensuring safety in Central London. We’re proud of our team’s dedication to protecting local businesses and the public. #CentralLondonSafety #YourBobbies #SwiftResponse #CrimePrevention #MyLocalBobby

No parent expects to lose sight of their child, and even a brief separation can feel overwhelming and frightening. On the 23rd of October, your Bobbies encountered a distressed mother in Central London who had just lost her daughter moments after exiting a busy station. She was visibly upset, and they quickly approached to calm her down and gather a description of the child. Fortunately, thanks to the help of members of the public nearby, the child was found just across the road. The mother was incredibly relieved, and your Bobbies were happy to assist in reuniting them. Moments like these highlight the importance of looking out for one another in busy public spaces, and we’re proud to play a part in keeping the community safe and reassured. #CommunitySafety #RapidResponse #LostAndFound #CentralLondon #MyLocalBobby

Reflecting on a Great Day at the Police Resettlement and Veteran UK Expo's! On Thursday, we had the privilege of connecting with former police officers and military veterans at the Police Resettlement EXPO and Veteran UK Expo at the QEII Centre. It was inspiring to meet so many skilled individuals eager to explore new opportunities and learn about My Local Bobby’s mission to create safer communities. A big thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth to discuss potential roles with our Recruitment Consultant Eloise Sinnott and Operations Manager, Luke Gilding Msyl. We’re excited about the possibility of working alongside you, and we appreciate the chance to share how your unique skills can make a real impact with My Local Bobby. Thank you to the event organizers and everyone who made the day a success – we’re looking forward to welcoming new team members as part of our journey towards a safer future. SATOS Media Reaz Ramputh #PoliceResettlementExpo #VeteranUKExpo #ThankYou #NewOpportunities #MyLocalBobby #ExPolice #Veterans #BuildingSaferCommunities

Scams to Avoid – Don’t Get Caught by Bag Cutters 👜✂️ Bag cutting is a sneaky tactic that’s becoming more common in busy areas like Westminster and the Tube. Instead of reaching into your bag, thieves use a knife to cut the bottom and catch whatever falls out—usually without the victim even noticing until it’s too late. 🛑 What to watch out for: ➡ People standing unusually close, especially from behind or below waist level. ➡ Crowded spots where thieves can blend in, like busy trains or packed streets. 🛡 How to avoid it: ➡ Use bags made from tough, cut-resistant materials that can withstand an attempted slash. ➡ Keep your bag in front of you, tucked under your arm, or secured with your hand in busy areas. ➡ Consider anti-theft bags with built-in security features like reinforced bottoms. Stay alert, especially in crowded places. Next week, we’ll be talking about distraction scams and how to avoid falling for them. #ScamsToAvoid #BagCutting #StaySafe #LondonTips #MyLocalBobby #WestminsterSafety

Halloween at Kensington Town Hall 🎃 Happy Halloween! Your Bobbies, Nick and Mustafa, were on hand to help with the setup and security at Opportunity Kensington's Halloween at the Farmers Market. Their efforts ensured a safe and spooky fun atmosphere for all attendees, bringing together the community for an exciting and secure celebration.   The event opened with family-friendly activities offering autumnal treats, pumpkin decorating, and face painting. An inflatable Halloween display near the tube station added for the season, while a 'win-a-treat' Halloween hunt through the streets kept families entertained.   The celebrations continue with Hallows’ Eve at Church Walk, a thrilling line-up of street-theatre performers, entertainers, and plenty of trick-or-treating for everyone to enjoy.   A great job from Nick and Mustafa for their commitment to the community event safe and enjoyable for all! 👏 Giles Semper Alex T. Holly Dyas Maya Mroue Balazs Csanadi #CommunitySupport #KensingtonHalloween #MyLocalBobby #EventSafety

Private Prosecutions Secure Suspended Sentence for Shoplifter On 15th October 2024, TM Eye, in partnership with My Local Bobby, secured another conviction at Uxbridge Magistrates Court. The defendant, Mohammed Nasir, also known as Attah Ditta, was found guilty of theft and going equipped for theft, after previously failing to appear in court. 📜 Sentence Details: 4-month prison sentence, suspended for 12 months £154 Victim surcharge £85 CPS costs £100 Sec 18 costs This case highlights our dedication to supporting retailers through proactive security measures and private prosecutions, ensuring justice is served and businesses are protected. 🛡 Why it matters: By partnering with TM Eye, My Local Bobby helps keep communities safe by holding offenders accountable and deterring future crime. #PrivateProsecutions #CommunitySafety #CrimePrevention #CourtResults #MyLocalBobby #TMEye #ShopliftingPrevention

We're thrilled to see the success of last week's Safer Business Action Days! The collaborative efforts between Safer Business Network, Metropolitan Police, and your My Local Bobby teams truly showcase the impact we can make when we come together to support our communities. Well done to all partners involved—your dedication and teamwork are what make these initiatives so impactful. Looking forward to future Safer Business Action Days and continuing this positive momentum! #SaferBusinessActionDays #CommunitySafety #PartnershipInAction #MyLocalBobby #SaferBusinessNetwork

Introducing ‘Ask for Angela’: A Safety Initiative for anyone feeling vulnerable on a night out. The ‘Ask for Angela’ initiative is being rolled out to bars, clubs, and licensed businesses across London, providing a discreet way for people to seek help if they feel unsafe, vulnerable, or threatened. Simply approach venue staff and ask for "Angela"—this code phrase signals that help is needed, and a trained staff member will assist you. Whether it’s reuniting you with a friend, arranging a taxi, or contacting security or the police, Ask for Angela ensures a quick response in sensitive situations. As part of this initiative, businesses are also receiving WAVE (Welfare And Vulnerability Engagement) training through Safer Business Network. This training equips venue staff with the skills and confidence to identify vulnerability, prevent harm, and ensure the safety of their customers. By rolling out WAVE training, businesses are putting the welfare of customers first and taking proactive steps to reduce risks related to sexual violence and vulnerability. 🛡 Why it matters: Initiatives like Ask for Angela and WAVE training make our communities safer and more supportive, ensuring everyone feels secure when out and about in London. Hannah Wadey Adam Ratcliffe Eren Bessim Barry Murphy Sally Bradbeer #AskForAngela #CommunitySafety #WAVETraining #SaferBusinessNetwork #LondonSafety #MyLocalBobby