Crime

A car owner spotted a man climb into his vehicle as it was parked outside his house.

On Sunday (07) 7.25am a 47-year-old man, of Central Avenue, Pinner was looking out of the window and noticed an Asian man acting suspiciously.

Opportunistic thieves stole a child's toy from a family shed in Pinner and scattered clothes over the garden.

The burglars got into an unlocked garden shed in Audley Court, on Friday (29) between 5 pm and 6.15 pm.

They stole a toy and a video player belonging to a 28-year-old woman. Clothes were also taken out of a bag, which was being stored in the shed, and thrown all over the garden.

A Pinner man appeared in court today to face charges for his part in a fight which left a party-goer with serious head injuries.

Mark Last, of Wiltshire Lane, Pinner, pleaded not guilty at Harrow Crown Court to the charge of causing grievous bodily harm to a 39-year-old man at a party on June 22.

Police are still hunting a man in connection with two stabbings at a Pinner pub.

Officers have not been able to contact Philip Wilson, 44, since the assault, which took place in the beer garden of the King George IV in Marsh Road, Pinner.

A 52-year-old man was stabbed in the stomach and a 20-year-old man was stabbed in the ear.

By Tara Brady

A prolific burglar from Pinner who terrorised the elderly by conning his way into their homes has been jailed for five years.
William Beggs, 37, from Cherry Court in Uxbridge Road, Pinner, preyed on the vulnerable before bluffing his way into their houses to steal their possessions.
One incident included Beggs knocking on the door of a 73-year-old man and asking for a piece of paper to leave a note for a neighbour who was allegedly in hospital.
Believing the caller was genuine the oblivious victim, who lives in Pinner, did not notice Beggs stealing his mobile phone and cheques which had been left in a bag in the hall.
Beggs, who pleaded not guilty to the offence which took place in April this year, was sentenced on Tuesday (July 15) last week at Harrow Crown Court.
He was also issued a five year Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) banning him from calling, knocking or telephoning any homes where the occupiers are unknown to him.
Beggs has 20 previous convictions including 14 convictions for burglary.
Detective Constable Figo Forouzan, officer in charge, said: "This was a despicable offence where an elderly victim was targeted. The length of the sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime."
In the past year alone there has been 48 distraction burglaries in the borough - approximately one a week.
Rachael Matthews, from Victim Support Harrow, said: "People are using all sorts of clever tricks to gain entry into people's houses. "It can be very distressing for the elderly who may feel like they are no longer safe in their own homes."
Distraction burglars often pose as being from a utility board, the council or police.
The elderly are being warned to be on guard and to install better security in their homes.
Avani Modasia, chief executive of Age Concern Harrow, said: "We are really trying to support the elderly to make sure their homes are safe and to encourage them to put in better security.
"They should not open the door to strangers and if they do they should always ask for ID. We have met victims of this crime and being burgled frightens them so much. Some never leave their homes again."
To find out more about installing security in your home ring Age Concern Harrow 020 8861 7980.

A man was beaten to the ground and robbed of his car after stopping at traffic lights in Hatch End.
Police are appealing for witnesses to a car jacking that took place in the Uxbridge Road, Hatch End on July 8 at 11.15pm
A 59-year-old man was robbed of his grey BMW M3 by as many as three men.
As he sat in his car at the temporary traffic lights before the King George V roundabout, the man felt a shunt from behind and got out of his car to assess the damage.
A white man, 5ft 6in tall, wearing a white ski mask, got out of a small car.
The victim became suspicious and began to run away. He was followed and hit and fell to the ground. The man's keys were grabbed from his hand and his car was driven off.
The victim suffered a fractured forearm and was taken to hospital.
Anyone with information on this crime should call Harrow Crime Squad on 020 8733 5407 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

By Elaine Okyere

The number of motorists in Harrow driving off from petrol stations without paying has increased in the past six months.
Since January there have been 140 incidents at 14 petrol stations where drivers have filled up their tanks and sped off in an attempt to avoid spiralling fuel costs.
To combat the rise in thefts Harrow Police have launched Forecourt Watch in partnership with petrol retailers in the borough and the British Oil Security Syndicate (BOSS).
Detective Inspector Richard Metcalfe said: "This problem has increased significantly with the recent rise in fuel prices. We are affected by this crime as ultimately any losses suffered by the industry will be passed on to paying customers.
"Safer Neighbourhood teams across the borough will be linking with the 14 petrol stations and we are in discussions with other stations in Harrow."
He added petrol stations would be upgrading their CCTV and the police will also be using undercover officers in cars to tackle the crimes.
One of the petrol stations hardest hit is Total, in Pinner Road, Pinner. The garage has been the victim of 16 incidents in the last six months. Kethees Velauthapillai, the manager, has seen people driving off without paying and realises it is a problem in the borough.
He said: "There have been a few in the whole of Harrow and I think the rise in petrol prices is one reason as petrol is costing more.
"But if someone wants to drive off without paying there is nothing you can do to stop them. We always tell staff not to chase after motorists that drive off and report it to the police."
Susan Hall (Conservative) deputy leader of the council and portfolio holder for environment services, said: "I don't blame companies for wanting to do this, more and more businesses will go out of business if people keep stealing from them.
"We must be vigilant and try to stop this kind of crime."

Petrol drive-off offences in Harrow since January 2008

Esso, in Marsh Lane, Harrow 32
BP, in Bessborough Road, Harrow 23
Total, in Pinner Road, Pinner 16
Tesco, in Alexandra Avenue, Harrow 14
Total, in High Street, Wealdstone 13
Shell, in Pinner Green, Pinner 11
Esso, in Belmont Circle, Harrow 11
BP, in Stanmore Hill, Stanmore 6
Tesco, in Honeypot Lane, Stanmore 6
Jet, in Kenton Road, Kenton 2
Waitrose, in Northolt Road, Harrow 2
Total, in Headstone Lane, Harrow 1

By David Baker

A Pinner robber who threatened to stab people on Harrow buses has been jailed for five-and-a-half years.

Ali Farah, 28, of Durley Avenue, Pinner, who pleaded guilty to six counts of robbery and asked for four more to be taken into consideration, was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court on Thursday (05).

Farah went on a three-week robbery spree, between December 6 last year and January 9, threatening five people on buses and another at Harrow and Wealdstone station.

On several occassions he hid a piece of metal up his sleeve which he told victims was a knife.

A burglar stole £100 after entering through an unlocked window of a house in Cranbourne Drive, Pinner,between 6.30pm on Saturday (17) and 1am the next day.
Anyone with information should call Harrow Police on 020 8733 3441.

A pair of conmen tricked their way into an elderly woman's home and stole £195 on Friday (May 9).