BROMLEY: Crime crack down aimed at making Christmas safer

A POLICE operation to crack down on crime in the run-up to Christmas saw 39 suspects arrested in the first week.

The number of arrests, which are part of Bromley police's Operation Nicholas, an intelligence-led campaign aimed at thieves and vandals, has delighted senior officers.

Last year it took police two weeks to arrest 30 people nine less than they did in a week this year.

The operation uses real-time CCTV and other intelligence to enable dedicated officers from Bromley police's pro-active operations unit to respond immediately to crimes on buses and bus routes.

From the 39 arrests, 37 have resulted in judicial disposal either a formal charge, caution or reprimand.

One yob was arrested after causing about £3,000 damage by kicking in a window in Bromley High Street.

An officer in the CCTV control room alerted his colleagues on the ground and the man was arrested before he reached the end of the street.

In another case, six teenagers were arrested for damaging buses, and five were officially reprimanded.

A 30-year-old from Penge was charged with a town-centre robbery and has been bailed to appear in court in the New Year.

Sergeant Darren Williams, the officer in charge of the operation, said: “I'm very pleased to have got this many arrests in the first week and feel it is a reflection of the hard work and dedication of my team.

“Partnerships and tactics we are using have never been this intelligence led, which proves this type of initiative can have a dramatic effect on street crime and the quality of life for people in the borough.”

Orpington Buses roadside controller Kurt Wells said: “We are very pleased with how the operation is going so far.

“One of our drivers had a brick thrown through a window on Starts Hill Road, and he was very pleased to have rapid police back-up. It helps drivers and the public feel safer.”

l Anyone with information about streetcrime or offences on buses can call the pro-active operations unit in Beckenham on 020 8284 8969 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.