Tandridge Buzz

Surrey Police believe a suspicious car fire in Croydon may be linked to the armed robbery outside Blockbusters in Caterham on 20 April.

A blue Ford Focus was found partially burnt out on Merrow Way in Croydon on the same afternoon as the robbery took place.

At around 12pm on 20 April, a cash delivery driver was threatened with what police believe was a gun, while making a collection outside the Blockbuster store on Croydon Road in Caterham.

The offenders took a cash box from the driver.

“I would like to speak with anyone who saw the vehicle being abandoned as they may hold vital information surrounding this incident,” said Investigating officer Kerry Akehurst of Reigate CID.

“I would also like to speak with anyone else who witnessed anything suspicious in the Caterham, New Addington or Croydon areas on the day of the robbery who has not yet spoken with police.”

Three men remain in custody in connection with this incident after being charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.

They are due to appear at Guildford Crown Court on Friday, 18 May. A fourth man has been released on police bail until Saturday, 23 June.

• Anyone who has information on this incident is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference TD/12/1763 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Police have spoken to over 300 people in connection with a robbery at a jewellers in Nutfield on 2 May.

The incident took place around 8.45am when a member of staff was unloading a vehicle in the car park which serves both Heaven Café and the jewellers and was approached inside the store by two masked men.

Officers stopped drivers of vehicles and pedestrians travelling on the High Street around the same time the robbery took place the previous day.

No weapons were used during the incident in which the victim was assaulted but did not require any medical assistance and does not show any signs of visible injury.

Detectives are hoping to establish who may have been in the area around the time of the incident and if anything suspicious was seen or heard.

“I would urge anyone who saw or heard anything suspicious around the time of the incident to contact officers as a matter of urgency as we need to catch those responsible,” said Investigating Officer Detective Sergeant Karl Humphrey of Reigate CID.

“I would also like to ask people to keep this incident in mind over the coming days and if you are offered or given any jewellery which you believe could be stolen to also contact officers with information.”

The first offender is described as of large build and was wearing black clothing with a hood covering his head. The second offender is described as of medium build, around 5ft 11ins tall and was wearing a grey tracksuit again with his hood up.

The men took several items of jewellery during the incident but at this stage it is too early to say exactly how much the items were worth or give a description of them

• If you have any information or concerns surrounding the incident please contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference TD/12/1914.

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.

Two members of staff at Sports Direct in Caterham were tied up during a raid carried out by men in boiler suits and balaclavas.

The robbery took place at around 630pm on Sunday 22 April at the store in Church Walk, Caterham.

The men left the scene, with an amount of cash, on foot and got into a nearby transit van, which police later found abandoned on Stuart Road, Warlingham.

It is the second violent robbery to hit Caterham within a week after a cash delivery driver was threatened with a gun outside the Blockbuster store on Croydon Road on Friday 20 April.

However, It is not believed the two incidents are linked.

“This was a frightening ordeal for the two members of staff at the store who where threatened and tied up but fortunately no-one was injured during the incident,” said Investigating Officer Detective Constable Kerry Akehurst of Reigate CID.

“I am appealing to anyone who has information on this incident or the events surrounding it to contact officers as a matter of urgency as we need to catch those responsible and bring them to justice.”

Both suspects were wearing blue boiler suits and black balaclavas. The first suspect is described as a white man, around 5ft 9ins tall, aged in his late 40s to early 50s and of stocky build. The second suspect is described as a white man around 5ft 10ins tall.

Officers have carried out house-to-house enquiries and reassurance visits in the area and the Tandridge Safer Neighbourhood Team urge anyone with concerns surrounding the incident to make contact as they will be happy to address these.

• Anyone with information on the incident is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference TD/12/1799.

Three men have been charged in connection with an armed robbery in Caterham on Friday 20 April.

At around 12pm, a cash delivery driver was threatened with what police believe was a gun, while making a collection outside the Blockbuster store on Croydon Road.

The offenders took a cash box from the driver.

Four men were arrested in the New Addington area by the Met Police. Three have now been charged:

• Marvin Ralph Samuels, 27, of Woodside Green, South Norwood, London, was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.
• Paul Tucker, 35, of Headley Drive, New Addington, was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.
• Nicholas Barry Leacock, 35, was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.

The fourth man was released on police bail while the investigation continues.

Officers have urged anyone with information to come forward.

Tandridge Neighbourhood Inspector Angie Austin, said: “I would urge any members of the public who have been affected by these events to contact the Tandridge Safer Neighbourhood Team who will be happy to address any concerns you may have.

“I would also like anyone who has information on this incident who has not yet spoken with officers to contact Surrey Police as a matter of urgency.”

Surrey Police is appealing for witnesses following a serious two car collision in Warlingham earlier this month.

The crash took place around 5.50pm on Monday, 9 April when a red Honda Prelude and a green Mazda MX5, were travelling along Limpsfield Road.

The collision took place near to Knights Garden Centre about a mile outside of Warlingham town in the direction of Limpsfield.

The driver of the Honda – a woman in her 50s – had to be freed from her car by the fire brigade.

Both drivers were taken to St George’s Hospital, Tooting for treatment to serious facial injuries. The Honda driver remains in a stable condition in hospital.

The crash led to several road closures in the area.

“Officers are keen to speak to any witnesses of the collision or anyone who witnessed the manner of driver of either vehicle before the incident took place,” a police spokesman said.

“Police are particularly keen to speak with the driver of a medium sized MPV style vehicle which the Mazda may have been following prior to the incident.”

• If you can help officers with their investigation please call the collision investigation unit at Surrey Police directly on 01483 639922 quoting reference P12100594.

Don’t lose a shed-load – that’s the message from Surrey Police as its shed roadshow hits Oxted.

Police will ask residents to bring a long a photo of their shed and will advise them on security. A free shed security alarm padlock will also be available for residents on a first come, first serve basis.

Police will be telling people that by taking just a few simple steps such as marking property and getting a shed alarm padlock, you can reduce the likelihood of being targeted by thieves.

“In recent years we have seen a rise in thefts from sheds and garages in the lead up to the summer, and this campaign aims to raise awareness of this issue, and give residents practical advice to reduce the risk of it occurring,” said Neighbourhood Chief Superintendent Gavin Stephens.

“The advice is simple – don’t lose a shed load, lock it and alarm it”.

The roadshow will be at Morrison’s Supermarket, East Hill (A25) in Oxted, from10am-1pm and at Holland Post Office, Pollards Oak Road in Oxted between 2pm-5pm.

For more details on the roadshow, and security advice for your shed please visit www.surrey.police.uk/sheds .

A Caterham man has been sentenced to six weeks in prison after breaching an Anti-Social Behaviour Order issued earlier the same day.

Stephen Taylor, 42, from Thomas Avenue in Caterham, was issued with the order at South East Surrey Magistrates Court on Friday, 16 March.

The order prohibits Taylor from entering pubs or loitering in the car parks or gardens in Caterham-on-the-hill and using threatening, insulting, abusive words or behaviour which is likely to cause alarm, harassment or distress to anyone in England or Wales.

Around 11pm on 16 March, police officers were called to The Village Inn after Taylor refused to leave the premises. The Village Inn is part of the town’s Pubwatch scheme, which helps publicans ban troublemakers from their premises.

He was arrested and remanded before he attended court on Monday, 19 March where he was sentenced.

“As a neighbourhood officer who is actively out and about in the local community I could see how Taylor’s behaviour was having a significant impact on pubs in the area,” said Tandridge Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Andrew Simms.

“I would like to thank all the Pubwatch members and others who came forward with information and helped secure an ASBO on Taylor.

“It demonstrates a united front against tackling anti-social behaviour in our area and how we will take robust action on anyone acting in such a way.”

A Lingfield pensioner has been left distraught after the theft of 29 award winning red canaries from his home.

Thieves broke into a shed at the property, in the Lingfield Common area, between 7.30pm on Sunday 25 March and 8am Monday 26 March.

“This is an appalling crime which has left an elderly gentleman very upset at the loss of the birds which he has reared to award winning standard,” said Lingfield Neighbourhood Specialist Officer PC Barry Reece.

“I would appeal to anyone who has information on the whereabouts of the birds to contact Surrey Police or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 as a matter of urgency so we can bring those responsible to justice and reunite the victim with his pets.

“I would also like to stress the importance of security tagging your pet whether this is by microchip or by fitting an identity ring which can prove invaluable if your pet is lost or stolen.”

Last year, 60 birds,  including parakeets, finches and budgies were stolen from a property in Ockleys Mead, Godstone.

• Anyone who has information on the theft or knows the whereabouts of the stolen birds which were all fitted with identity rings should contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference TD/12/1369 or the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Surrey Police have released CCTV pictures of a woman they want to speak to in conjunction with a bank card fraud investigation.

The on-going investigation centres on a group using false pretences to obtain bank cards and PIN numbers and then stealing money from victims.

Seven people have already been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and conspiracy to steal.

Police are keen to speak to the woman pictured in CCTV taken from Natwest Bank in the Whitgift Centre in Croydon on August 31 and September 1 last year.

“We are looking at a large number of offences and have charged several individuals in connection with these,” said Surrey Police Detective Inspector Paul Rymarz.

“However enquires continue and there are still a number of people we need to speak to who may be able to assist us further.”

• Those with information are asked to contact Surrey Police’s Cross Border Team by calling 101 or 01483 571212 if you are calling from outside the county.  

Police in Tandridge teamed up with Caterham Tyre Company to offer drivers free catalytic converter marking to deter thieves.

The event, which took place on 6 March, is part of a wider campaign by police designed to raise awareness of the theft of converters.

Converters were marked with a unique code so they can be identified if stolen.

“Marking your vehicle in this way is an excellent deterrent to would-be thieves,” said Tandridge Crime Reduction Advisor Mark Howells.

“The kits are easy to apply and won’t cause any damage to your vehicle.

“I was very grateful for the support of Caterham Tyre Company in hosting the event and would encourage every motorist to consider marking their catalytic converter.

“It can’t guarantee a thief won’t strike but marking your vehicle will certainly help deter them and assist in catching offenders and recovering stolen items.

“I am also asking members of the public to stay vigilant – a thief who is trying to steal a catalytic converter will need to climb under a vehicle in order to reach it, so if you see any activity you think is suspicious contact police immediately by calling 101.”

Tandridge District Council has frozen its Council Tax for the second consecutive year – despite a 29% cut in Government funding.

Band D council tax will remain the same as last year at £193.62 – £3.72 a week – for services including refuse collection, recycling, planning, street sweeping, housing, housing benefits and children’s play areas.

However, Surrey County Council, which provides services including education, adult social care, children services and highways, has pushed through a 2.99% council tax increase.

Surrey Police Authority has also implemented a 2.5% hike – meaning a Band D property will see an overall increase of 2.54% to £1,546.77

People on income support or guaranteed pension credit who have no non-dependants will continue to have the cost of council tax fully met by council tax benefit.

Other people on council tax benefit will automatically have their benefit recalculated to reflect their revised council tax bills.

“For a second year running there is no increase in council tax and services have been protected,” said chairman of Resources Committee, Councillor Martin Fisher.

“Through careful financial management we are one of the few councils to have maintained a high level of services for the benefit of our residents, with no increase.

“We have absorbed a 29% cut in Government Grant support in the last two years and lower interest income by continuing to make substantial reductions to our support services, including staffing.

“Our staff have also demonstrated their commitment, by coping with a recruitment freeze which has been in place since 2008 and adopting flexible working practices.”

Value for money

He added: “We continue to offer value for money by concentrating expenditure on providing and supporting front line services.

“We are particularly pleased to keep free shoppers parking to support local businesses. Our garden waste collection service continues to grow, with over 5,400 households subscribing to it.

“We plan major changes to our recycling and waste contract for the benefit of the environment through reducing the amount of waste that goes to landfill, while maintaining weekly collections and a back door waste collection service.

“There is no doubt the next few years will continue to be difficult, but we are confident we can maintain the services our residents’ value.”

A 20-year-old man has been arrested after a woman was subjected to a “terrifying attack” with sexual motives in Oxted on Sunday afternoon (12 February).

The victim, a woman in her 50s, was walking her dog along a bridleway known as Old Lane, near to Rockfield Road.

A man approached and assaulted the victim causing her to fall to the ground before he tried to remove items of her clothing. He then fled on foot when the woman’s dog started barking at him.

“This was a terrifying attack on a lone woman and I would urge anyone who was in the area around the time of this incident and who saw anything suspicious to contact Surrey Police as a matter of urgency,” said Detective Chief Inspector Karen Hughes.

“Although the woman was not seriously injured in the attack the ordeal has understandably left her shaken and we need to find the person responsible and bring them to justice.

“We are still in the early stages of the investigation but we do believe the suspect may have had sexual motives and we need the community to help us piece together this incident.”

Tandridge Neighbourhood Inspector Angie Austin, added: “Neighbourhood officers will be increasing patrols around the area to reassure the community and the team will also be assisting with house to house enquiries to ensure we are doing everything we can to identify the suspect.”

The suspect is described as a white man, in his late teens, around 6ft tall, with dark brown wavy hair and clean shaven. He was wearing a black puffer style jacket, a light coloured jumper, trousers and trainers.

A man in his 20s has been arrested in connection with this incident and is currently in police custody helping officers with the investigation.

In October, two 15-year-old boys were charged with raping a  girl in Master Park.

• Anyone who saw anything suspicious around the time of the incident is urged to contact Surrey Police on 101 quoting reference TD/12/687 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