• Wandsafe - Burglary aftercare service
• FLaSH - Fires, Locks and Safer Homes

Wandsafe - Burglary aftercare service

Working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police Service (Wandsworth Division), we provide a borough wide service available to all residents provided that they have become the victim of either:

1. Domestic burglary (e.g. a person entered or attempted to enter the dwelling and stole property therein) or
2. Burglary of distraction offence (e.g. a person or persons entered the dwelling by deception with intent to steal. An example of which would be someone posing as an official from the Gas Board, Water Board or the Police). This crime is sometimes referred to as burglary artifice.

Wandsafe officers advise the victim of ways to improve their existing household security and offer general advice on other crime prevention matters such a property marking, garden security, lighting, vehicle and garage security. They will also refer the victim to other agencies that may be of assistance.

Wandsafe also promote other services such as Fire Safety, Neighbourhood Watch, the Wandsworth Watch Alarm Service and other topical services such as Age Concern and Victim Support.

Wandsafe visits are arranged at a mutually convenient time. The visit will be conducted at the venue where the original incident took place in the presence of either the owner or tenant. If appropriate an interpreter may be requested to attend during the visit to facilitate communication, the interpreting service is provided free of charge.

Wandsafe will

• make contact either by letter or telephone call to all victims referred to the service within 3 working days;
• arrange a mutually convenient appointment to visit you within 5 working days of accepting the invitation to visit;
• provide on request a written report within 7 days of your site visit;
• provide security advice to at least twelve neighbours of every victim of a domestic burglary visited by a Wandsafe officer.

Wandsafe officers

• will always make an appointment with you before attending your property;
• visit at a convenient time to you;
• always offer a Wandsworth Borough Council identification badge (showing a photograph of the officer visiting) - if you wish to further check the officers identity you can call 020 8871 8894 or 020 8871 6599;
• will be polite and courteous at all times;
• provide professional, impartial advice.

A Wandsafe officer

• will never request payment;
• will not accept any gift;
• will not recommend any private contractor e.g. a locksmith or other contractor.

FOR FREE DOMESTIC SECURITY ADVICE CONTACT THE WANDSAFE DEPARTMENT ON (020) 8871 6950/(020) 8871 7696. Alternatively email communitysafety@wandsworth.gov.uk

You can also download a range of crime prevention leaflets.

Find out more on Wandsafe performance here.

 Wandsafe Statistics 2007-08

FLaSH - Fires, Locks and Safer Homes

FLaSH is a free service created to provide home security and fire safety advice to residents in Wandsworth.

FLaSH invites you to request one or more of the following FREE services:

• If you are worried about crime or have been a victim of crime our home safety fitter can visit your property, offer security advice and where appropriate improve the security of your property.
• Fire safety check and the fitting of a smoke detector if required, complete with a ten year battery life. Every home should have a least one.

This is a free service supported by Wandsworth Borough Partnership, London Fire Brigade and Help the Aged.

For further information please contact Zainab Pathan at Victim Support on (020) 7223 1234 or at flash@vswandsworth.org.uk.

Victim Support Wandsworth, 231a Lavender Hill, London, SW11 1JR.