Here is an autumn update from the Kew Police team.

"It has been a strange time for policing and we've finally grabbed five minutes to put pen to paper! Since the last newsletter, PC Wharmsby has passed his six-year milestone keeping Kew safe.

"Over the last few weeks we have been working closely with our neighbouring ward, North Richmond, to extensively patrol both wards. We have been covering the area on foot, bicycle and minibus.

"Traditional crime took a dip over the lockdown period and is still lower in Kew than our previous years. This has allowed us to carry out more routine patrols and other proactive activity including stop and search in the areas you tell us we need to be.

"It was also good to be able to be back at the Kew Village Market in October and November, catching up with faces we hadn't seen for a while!

"As the autumn and winter nights continue, weh ave a larger number of later shifts planned, including this weekend (November 7 and 8), just to keep an eye on anti-social behaviour and burglaries."

Distraction burglary

"Our neighbouring wards have had a couple of incidents of 2x men posing as council workers to check for leaks/ water issues and then entering and either stealing or conning occupants out of money," Kew Police said.

"Please keep an eye out for your vulnerable neighbours. Always check ID, using a door-chain if applicable. If you are unsure, make contact with the relevant company - Richmond Council, Thames Water etc to verify."

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Parking machine scam

"When using a Richmond Council parking machine, do not accept offers of help from anyone else; shield your pin and do not leave your bank card unattended in the machine.

"Call your bank to cancel your card immediately if 'swallowed' by the parking machine."

Contact details

You can get in touch with Kew Police by calling 020 7161 9563, emailing [email protected] or @mpskew on Twitter.