Tandridge Buzz

An elderly Smallfield lady was left “shaken and very upset” after three intruders burst into her home demanding money.

At around 2.15pm on Tuesday 24 April, three men forced their way into the Wheelers Lane home via the front door.

The men took a small amount of money before leaving on foot in the direction of the shops. The woman, in her 80s, was not hurt during the robbery.

“This is an appalling crime against an elderly lady and the ordeal has left her shaken and very upset,” said Investigating officer Detective Constable Portia Andrews of Reigate CID.

“We believe there would have been a lot of people in the vicinity around the time of the incident and I urge anyone who believes they saw the offenders or anything suspicious in the area around the time of the incident to contact officers as a matter of urgency.”

Tandridge Neighbourhood Inspector Angie Austin, added: “Neighbourhood officers are working closely with detectives to find those responsible and bring them to justice.

“Officers will be carrying out enquiries in the local area and I would urge anyone with concerns surrounding the incident to contact the safer neighbourhood team who will be happy to address these.”

The first offender is described as a white man, aged in his early 20s, around 6ft tall and dark hair. He is well built in size and was wearing dark clothing.

The other two offenders are described as white men, aged in their early 20s, of small build and with fair hair.

• Anyone who has information on this incident is urged to call Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference TD/12/1821 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Surrey Police have warned Tandridge residents to be wary of scammers working in the area who pretend to be from a Government agency checking loft insulation before making off with valuable items.

A woman in Weatherhill Road, Smallfield was robbed on Tuesday 7 February at around 3pm after receiving a phone call from a female booking an appointment for a check on loft insulation. She had told the victim she was from a Government agency.

Two men then turned up at the address and stole several items of jewellery, including a gold belcher chain with an amber stone, a small gold necklace chain, a gold ring with a sapphire in the centre surrounded by diamonds and a gold watch with a white face.

“We believe the phone call which the victim received earlier the same day where an appointment was booked for someone to visit the property and inspect the loft insulation and the distraction burglary are linked,” said Detective Constable Dale Brunt.

“A number of other residents have told us of similar calls and I would urge anyone who receives one in the future to not book an appointment and to contact police as a matter of urgency.

“I would also ask relatives and neighbours to look out for elderly and vulnerable people and warn them of the dangers of cold callers. This is an appalling incident and we need to find those responsible.”

The suspects are described as white men, around 5ft 10ins in height (one taller than the other), with short dark hair, aged 30 to 40-years-old, clean shaven and wearing a dark coat and had an ID disc around his neck.

• If you have been offered any of the stolen items for sale, know their whereabouts or have any other information relating to this incident which may help officers with their investigation please contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference TD/12/627.
• For legitimate quotes on loft insulation visit www.actionsurrey.org or phone 0800 783 2503

Thieves stole 1,000 boxes of cigarettes worth around £5,000 from the Co-op store in Redehall Road, Smallfield last week (13 July).

Detectives are appealing for information over the burglary, which happened between 11.20pm and 11.40pm on Wednesday 13 July. They are also linking it to similar burglary at a Co-op store in Bookham, Surrey on Friday 1 July.

Once access had been gained a black or grey Peugeot 307 car stopped directly outside the store and up to five suspects got out of the vehicle and entered the shop.

Officers have reviewed CCTV from inside the store and talked to a number of witnesses who have already come forward.

The suspect who gained entry to the store is described as a white man, approximately 6ft tall, and of muscular build. He was wearing a dark coloured balaclava, a dark grey hooded top and dark trousers.

The other suspects were all wearing dark coloured hooded tops and dark trousers. They had their faces concealed by a balaclava except one suspect who had a scarf wrapped around his head.

“A number of witnesses have already come forward and were spoken to by officers at the scene,” said Investigating officer Detective Constable Kerry Akehurst.

“It is crucial anyone else who witnessed the burglary unfold, or perhaps who saw the Peugeot 307 in the area before or after the incident comes forward.

“This is not the first time the store has been burgled, and it follows a similar burglary at a Co-Op in Bookham on Friday, 1 July. Surrey Police is working closely with the Co-Op and colleagues in neighbouring Forces and it is vital we catch this group of offenders.

“CCTV from the store is being viewed but I appeal to members of the community to come forward with any information they have which will help my investigation.

“Those responsible for this burglary will need to sell their stolen wares therefore if you know someone selling cheap cigarettes or you are offered them for sale please think twice and report it to an officer as they may have originated from this offence.”

Can you help? Did you hear or see any suspicious activity in Redehall Road, Smallfield, between 11.20pm and 11.40pm?

Any information no matter how small could make all the difference to this investigation. You can speak with an officer at Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222 quoting reference TD/11/3403, or call Crimestoppers if you wish to remain anonymous on 0800 555111.

A Smallfield resident has been ordered to carry out 100 hours of community service after being found guilty of benefit fraud and theft.

In August 2003, Sharon Rice was awarded Income Support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). On her application she stated she lived with her mother and her daughter.

In September 2008, she claimed and was awarded Council Tax Benefit from Tandridge District Council. In her application Rice said she was the only adult living at her address and she lived there with her daughter.

In July 2009, the Council’s Fraud Investigation team was contacted by a Fraud Investigation Officer at Redhill Jobcentre Plus, to jointly investigate Rice’s claims for Income Support and Council Tax Benefit.

This followed an allegation, received by the DWP, that Rice’s partner was living with her.

Documentation and bank details showed Rice’s partner was using her address. A neighbour also confirmed Rice’s partner had been living there since July 2007.

In November 2009, officers from the DWP and the Council interviewed Ms Rice, who was unable to provide a credible explanation for her partner using her home address on employment records, bank accounts and for other services. Further documentation confirmed her partner had been using her home address as his.

Following the interview, Rice’s Income Support and Council Tax Benefit were cancelled, as she was no longer eligible. She had been overpaid Income support of £2,200 and Council Tax Benefit of £1,324.

Sharon Rice had also applied for and received a single person’s council tax discount (25%) following her mother’s death in August 2008. This was also cancelled and as a result she owed £1,496 in council tax, most of which has since been repaid.

“We always make it clear to anyone receiving benefits that they must tell us about any change in circumstance straight away,” said Councillor Martin Fisher, chairman of the Resources Committee.

“This was a long and complex case and Ms Rice has claimed money she was not entitled to. In cases like this we always prosecute, it is theft of public money.”

A company has been ordered to fork out over £4,000 in fines and costs after displaying advertising signs in a field next to the M23 in Smallfield without council consent.

B&S Ventures (Smallfield) Ltd pleaded guilty to displaying two unauthorised signs in a field next to the motorway at Redhill Magistrates Court on 23 August.

The company was fined £3,400 and ordered to pay the Council’s costs of £649, plus £15 to the victim support fund.

Tandridge Council had gone to great lengths to avoid a prosecution but in the end were left with little choice.

The Highways Agency first informed Tandridge Council about the two advertisements on 19 May 2010. The Council’s planning investigation officer visited the site and asked for removal of the signs within seven days because the owner did not have  advertisement consent.

Mr Strutt of B&S Ventures (Smallfield) Ltd, which owns the site, responded to advise they were getting quotes to remove the advertisements.

The Council wrote again to ask for the advertisements to be removed by 21 June. Mr Strutt replied the advertisements would be covered up.

On 21 June another site visit was made by the Planning Investigation Officer. He contacted Mr Strutt as the advertisements were not covered sufficiently and still liable to prosecution. The Highways Agency also confirmed that partial covering of the advertisements was not acceptable.

The Council wrote again asking for the advertisements to be removed or covered completely by 19 July. On 20 July, a third site visit was made and the advertisements were still visible, with the covers hanging off.

“We gave the company enough time to resolve this issue, but they did not remove the advertisements and in the end we had to prosecute,” said Councillor Gill Black, chairman of the Planning Committee.