Police in Putney have admitted they usually cannot catch the criminals responsible for car break-ins because the offences happen at night with no witnesses.
In a candid message to residents, officers from the Thamesfield Safer Neighbourhood Team said they are experiencing several vehicle break-ins each week, concentrated around Lacy Road near Putney High Street, as well as Enterprise Way and Osiers Road in the east of the ward.
The problem is that virtually all these offences take place overnight, leaving a window of up to 12 hours when the crime could have occurred. Police say checking CCTV for such a long period is impractical, so cases are normally closed immediately unless forensic evidence such as blood or clothing is found at the scene.
The common factor in most break-ins is that vehicle owners have left objects on display, usually bags that thieves assume contain valuables such as laptops or tablets.
Vehicle crime was one of the two most commonly reported offences in Thamesfield in November 2025, with 26 recorded incidents, matching shoplifting as the ward’s top crime type. Both issues have been flagged as priorities by residents.
How to protect your vehicle
Police are urging residents to remove all items from view, including bags, cases and even phone chargers or sat-nav mounts that suggest valuables might be inside. Parking in well-lit areas or private garages reduces risk, as does using car parks with the Park Mark safer parking accreditation.
Owners of keyless entry vehicles should keep fobs well away from doors and windows, and consider using a signal-blocking pouch such as a Faraday bag to prevent relay theft.
Residents who want to discuss crime concerns directly with local officers can attend the Thamesfield Ward Panel meeting on 4 February at St Mary’s Church, Putney High Street, at 6:30pm.
Anyone with information about vehicle crime can report it at met.police.uk, call 101, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
