Crime in Claygate and other Police Advice
March 2025
FOUR BURGLARY SUSPECTS REMANDED IN CUSTODY
Following an investigation into a series of burglaries that occurred in Claygate in late December, the North Surrey Proactive Investigation Team identified and arrested four males suspected of being involved in these and a number of other offences.
Stolen property from the burglaries was recovered and returned to its owners. The four males have been charged with Conspiracy to Commit Burglary for 13 offences. They were remanded in custody ahead of a court appearance later this year. Thank you to everyone who assisted in the investigation and provided witness accounts and CCTV. This evidence was very valuable.
Anyone seeing anything suspicious should report it to Surrey police. CCTV/video footage can be reported to the online suspicious activity portal at www.surrey.police.uk/police-forces/surrey-police/areas/campaigns/suspicious-activity-portal/
October 2024
POLICE OFFER SEASONAL ADVICE AND WARNINGS
Ian Hallam, the specialist neighbourhood police officer covering Claygate, has the following advice for all residents:
- PARKING: If you—or anyone you know—park around Claygate Railway station, in particular along Hare Lane, please be considerate. Parking in such a way that leaves insufficient space on the footpath for pedestrians to pass (consider wheelchair users and push chairs) could result in your vehicle receiving a fine for obstruction and/or removal with associated recovery costs.
- BREAK-INS: With more hours of darkness we tend to see more burglaries. Please remember to leave lights on in your property if you are going to be out after dusk, as many of the properties targeted are in darkness. When a house is dark and there is no vehicle parked on the driveway it gives thieves the impression the property is unoccupied.
- CAR CRIME: We have had increased reports of vehicle crime – especially of thieves searching through unsecured vehicles. Always leave your vehicle locked and the alarm set when it is unattended. If your vehicle is “keyless”, you should keep the ignition fob in a secure “Faraday pouch”—a signal-blocking cover that can be bought for a few pounds—or a metal tin. And keep keys away from the front door or kitchen window of your property.
- VANS: These are often targeted by thieves for the tools inside. Consider using a sticker saying “No power tools are kept in this vehicle overnight”. These can be collected from the front counter at the Elmbridge Civic Centre, High Street, Esher. If you have to leave tools in a van overnight, mark them clearly with your name or company name and address, using paint pens and sealing with a clear lacquer spray. Alternatively, you can use a variety of other property marking systems. Items that are clearly marked are less desirable and more difficult to sell on.
- SECURITY STANDARDS: Surrey Police does not recommend any products or companies. However, Secured by Design (SBD) is the official police security initiative. It works as a product-based accreditation scheme—the Police Preferred Specification—and provides a recognised standard for all security products that can deter and reduce crime.
