Police arrested three people on Putney High Street at quarter to four in the morning, after finding an angle grinder, blank car keys and balaclavas in the car.
The arrests, on Thursday 8 October, were on suspicion of going equipped to steal cars and motorcycles.
Eva Knedlova, a police community support officer (PCSO) in Thamesfield, told residents about the arrests eight days later. Vehicle theft, she wrote, was what people had raised in the ward’s police priority survey. “We know that people can be concerned about the personal and financial impact of having their vehicle stolen, which is why we will pursue and arrest those who break the law.”
Her message did not say whether anyone has been charged. Arrests like this are unusual: in January, Putney police admitted they usually cannot catch the people who break into cars.
Her advice to car owners: check the car is locked every time you leave it, because thieves will usually try door handles until they find one left unlocked. Keep keys out of sight and away from the front door. If the car has keyless entry, keep the fob well away from it at home, ideally in a signal-blocking pouch.
Across the seven wards of the Putney constituency, recorded crime rose by about 5% in the year to September 2026, against the year before: 7,999 offences against 7,642. Thefts from cars rose by about a third, to 603, but from the lowest year in six, and still below every year from 2021 to 2023. The jump came in August: 110 thefts from cars across the seven wards, more than three a day and the most in any month in six years on the Met’s figures.
Thefts of whole vehicles went the other way, to the fewest in six years. Below, ward by ward, with a card for each: police news, the year’s figures, priorities and the next ward panel, where residents sit down with local officers to set them. A rise or fall only counts here if it beats the normal year-to-year swing for numbers that size and is still going the same way in the latest three months.
Thamesfield
From the police. On Wednesday 30 September, a member of the public waved down Putney officers, worried about a man lying on the pavement. The officers went over to check he was all right, and one of them recognised him: he was wanted, and he was arrested for burglary offences.
Police say he has been linked to sightings residents reported after a “suspicious circumstances” alert on 18 September. They thanked everyone who wrote in, saying the messages “helped us track down that male”.
On 18 October PCSO Knedlova warned about devices that criminals fit to cash machines to steal cards and film PINs. If a machine looks unusual, don’t use it; if it keeps your card, stay by the machine and freeze the card through your bank straight away. She signed off “PCSO Eva”, offering anyone who asks the police’s crime prevention booklet on cybercrime.
People have also been spotted sticking fake locksmith stickers on front doors in Thamesfield. Burglars use them to find empty homes: they come back later, and a sticker nobody has touched suggests nobody is home.
Police warned about the same trick in Dryad Street, Felsham Road and Bangalore Street in May. If you find a sticker on your door or door frame that you didn’t put there, take it off and report it on 101.
Twenty-one people came to the ward panel on 2 September, according to the panel’s report to the borough’s Safer Neighbourhood Board, which collects reports from the ward panels. Police told them about two arrests for thefts from cars, and 19 prohibition notices on vehicles judged unfit for use under Operation CUBO.
The Embankment was named as a bike-theft hotspot, and the meeting heard that e-bike riders had assaulted officers during stops. It also heard that some shop security staff are reluctant to go to court as witnesses, because it would cost them a day’s pay.
The figures. Crime overall is level: 1,425 offences against 1,375, a change within normal variation. Thefts from cars are up about half, 186 against 123. The year before was Thamesfield’s lowest in six years.
This August brought 41, more than one a day and the ward’s highest single month in six years. In August 2025 there were 7.
Thefts of whole vehicles fell 43%, 31 against 54. That is close to the six-year low, 30 in 2021.
Robbery fell 37%, 31 against 49, within its usual range. Theft from the person fell further, 46 against 76, but has risen again in the latest three months.
Priorities. Street violence; theft from the person and shoplifting; pedal cycle theft. The panel kept its three priorities in September. None is vehicle crime, the issue PCSO Knedlova says residents raised in the priority survey.
Next panel. Thamesfield’s panel, chaired by Sylvie Chrzanowska, last met on 2 September. No date for its next meeting has yet gone out on MetEngage, the Met’s messaging service for each ward. Anyone who wants vehicle crime on the list can ask for it there.
West Putney
From the police. On 10 October PCSO Kordian Wojtowicz warned West Putney residents about thefts from cars. “Many of these offences are opportunistic, with criminals targeting vehicles where valuables have been left on display,” he wrote, listing sat navs, sunglasses, bags and even loose change. His advice: lock the car, take valuables out or keep them out of sight, and park somewhere well lit.
The 30 September burglary arrest was also reported to West Putney residents.
Residents on the ward panel want to know why violence, theft and drug offences have risen. They have told the Safer Neighbourhood Board they are concerned the local team cannot answer their questions about the spikes, and the Board lists their request for an explanation as still open.
The figures. Crime overall is up 16%: 988 offences against 854. Last month’s figures showed West Putney violence up a third; with September added, the rise is 27%, 309 against 244. That is still within its range over six years, with the peak, 340, in 2022.
Drug offences fell 27%, 69 against 95. That is still well above the 24 to 45 a year recorded from 2021 to 2024.
The rise came in a three-month burst, August to October 2025: 69 offences, 64 of them for supply. In the six months to September 2026 there were 25, close to the 29 in the same months of 2024.
The panel’s own figure, a 105% rise in the year to May, was right for that year, which held the whole burst. What happened in those three months is a question for police.
Priorities. Violence; anti-social behaviour; motor vehicle crime.
Next panel. A panel meeting was called for Tuesday 29 September, and the ward’s priorities were re-issued that day. No date for the next meeting has yet gone out on MetEngage. When it comes, the panel’s question about the rises is the one to press.
East Putney
From the police. PCSO Cecilia Allaker says Putney officers will step up foot patrols around Halloween and Bonfire Night, in high-visibility jackets, looking out for anti-social behaviour. “Some of you no doubt will also be highly visible in your Halloween outfits?” she wrote. “Maybe you could bring a torch with you if you are trick or treating so cars can see you when you are crossing the road.”
Her advice for evenings out: leave a light on, so the house looks occupied. Putney officers will also be watching for speeding drivers on Melrose Road and Gressenhall Road at 3.30pm on Saturday 21 November.
The ward panel meeting set for 17 September was postponed by police to Monday 5 October. The panel’s chair, Leslie McDonnell, had said they could not make that date, according to the panel’s report to the Board, and the panel wants future dates agreed with police. The ward’s priorities were re-issued on 5 October.
The figures. Crime overall is up 8%: 997 offences against 920. Shoplifting rose 81%, 58 against 32, the most in six years on the Met’s figures. In 2022 there were 9.
Thefts of whole vehicles fell almost by half, 25 against 48, the fewest in six years.
Priorities. Drug-related activity; burglary; shoplifting.
Next panel. No date for the next meeting has yet gone out on MetEngage. With shoplifting at a six-year high, it is the place for shopkeepers and their customers to ask what police are doing about it.
Roehampton
From the police. A burglary was reported on Rodway Road, SW15, on Saturday 10 October. PC James Quail, of the Roehampton team, reminded residents that burglars “do not want to be seen or heard”.
His advice: outside lights that come on from dusk to dawn, doorbell or security cameras, and low hedges and fences that leave nowhere to hide. Lock windows and doors before you go out.
Roehampton’s panel sent no update to the Board this quarter.
The figures. Crime overall is down 6%: 1,379 offences against 1,468. Nothing has risen by more than normal variation. Shoplifting fell by two-thirds, 25 against 76, the lowest in six years, down from a peak of 105 in 2024.
Priorities. Drug possession and supply; anti-social behaviour; robbery.
Next panel. Thursday 22 October, 6.30pm to 7.30pm, at Roehampton Library, 2 Danebury Avenue, SW15 4HD. “If you have any questions regarding issues or concerns in your local area, please let us know prior the meeting,” the team’s invitation says. It is where the ward’s police priorities are set.
West Hill
From the police. West Hill residents had been reporting high-powered bikes causing trouble in the ward. At the summer panel, chaired by Mary Buckley, they described a masked e-scooter rider racing at speed and frightening people.
On 14 September, West Hill and Putney officers went out in plain clothes. Using local information, they caught a man who was charged with dangerous driving, possession of drugs and having a zombie-style knife, according to the panel’s report to the Board. A week later, on 21 September, officers seized three more vehicles in the ward for driving offences.
On Tuesday 6 October, West Hill officers joined Southfields and Wandsworth Town colleagues at a local college. Knife detection arches were set up at the entrances to catch anyone trying to bring a knife in.
The figures. Crime overall is level: 736 offences against 750. Violence against the person rose 14%, 319 against 280, narrowly the most in six years on the Met’s figures. The previous high was 308, in 2022.
Criminal damage and arson fell by a third, 37 against 56, the fewest in six years and down from 84 in 2021.
Priorities. Motor vehicle crime; anti-social behaviour; shoplifting.
Next panel. Tuesday 20 October, at 15 Victoria Drive, SW19 6AD. The invitation from PCSO Marina Minopoli gives two start times, 6pm in its heading and 7pm in its details. It is the first of three ward panels this week, and the place to ask about the rise in violence.
Southfields
From the police. After residents raised concerns about possible drug use and dealing, officers from several neighbourhood teams patrolled Southfields, West Hill and Wandsworth Town in plain clothes. One man caught their attention and, when they stopped him, ran.
They gave chase, caught him, and found a large amount of drugs and cash they believe were his. He was arrested. “Information provided by the community plays a vital role,” PC Emma Rodrigues De Freitas told residents on 1 October.
Southfields officers also took part in the knife-arch operation at the college on 6 October.
Over the summer, officers held a street briefing at the crossroads opposite Southfields station, giving out crime prevention advice. It drew more residents than the usual Cuppa with a Copper sessions, the panel’s chair, Clive Williams, told the Board, and officers seized three illegal e-bikes while they were there.
Staff absence has meant fewer of those cuppa sessions, and the panel is looking at holding joint ones with West Hill.
The figures. Crime overall is up 14%: 574 offences against 503. Thefts from cars rose about half, 106 against 71, level with the 2023 high of 104.
This August brought 34, more than one a day and the ward’s highest month in six years. Nothing has fallen by more than normal variation.
Priorities. Motor vehicle crime; theft of parcels; shoplifting.
Next panel. Saturday 24 October, at St Barnabas Church, Southfields, according to the panel’s report to the Board. With thefts from cars the ward’s clearest rise, and vehicle crime already one of its priorities, it is the place to ask what is being done about it.
Wandsworth Town
From the police. On Wednesday 30 September, Wandsworth Town and Southfields officers were out on patrol around Southside and King George’s Park. It ended with a man arrested inside a building on Neville Gill Close, SW18, for a drugs offence, after officers found a large quantity of drugs, PCSO Sam Williams told residents.
Wandsworth Town officers also took part in the college operation on 6 October. The ward’s panel sent no update to the Board this quarter.
The figures. Crime overall is up 7%: 1,900 offences against 1,772. Thefts from cars rose by a quarter, 126 against 101. That is up from a low year, and still below 2022 to 2024, when they ran from 152 to 207.
Robbery also rose by a quarter, 66 against 53, but has eased in the latest three months, as has other theft. Theft from the person halved, 56 against 114. That is back to its 2021 and 2023 level, after a peak in 2025.
Priorities. Violence; shoplifting; anti-social behaviour. A police presentation to the Safer Neighbourhood Board on 7 October listed shoplifting, robbery and anti-social behaviour.
Next panel. No date for the next meeting has yet gone out on MetEngage.
How to report, and how to hear from police
To report a crime, call 101, or 999 in an emergency. You can also report online at met.police.uk. Information can be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
You can sign up for your own ward team’s messages, warnings and panel invitations at metengage.co.uk. Or meet an officer over a coffee: police are holding a Cuppa with a Copper at Costa on Upper Richmond Road at 10am on Tuesday 27 October.
Seen something on your street that should be in the next roundup? Tell us at editor@putney.news.
Figures are crimes recorded by the Metropolitan Police, by month recorded, from the London Datastore, and are revised as late reports come in. Six-year comparisons use the Met’s earlier recording system for months before February 2024.
