Police hunt two suspects involved in £40,000 Bromley burglary
The Met Police are hunting and appealing for information about two men allegedly involved in the theft of £40,000 worth of watches and jewellery from a property in Shortland, Bromley on Thursday, January 21.
According to the police report, the victims were not at home during the day. Upon returning home at 5:30 p.m., they discovered that their flat had been burgled, with several precious items missing, including £800 in cash.
The burglars made off with a trove of valuables, including several vintage and gold watches, yellow gold stirrup cufflinks, a white gold and diamond necklace with matching earrings, shimmering diamond and pearl earrings, a classic solid yellow gold Dunhill Rolagas lighter, and a Samsonite dark grey/black suitcase.
The police sought to identify two individuals witnessed exiting the building through the main entrance at approximately 5:30 p.m. on that day, with one of the individuals seen carrying a bag.
The first suspect, described as white and slim, was around 5’10”. He was last seen wearing a dark beanie hat, a white face mask, and a short, dark bomber jacket. Meanwhile, the second suspect was depicted as white and stocky with dark hair and an unkempt beard. He was approximately 5’6″ and was observed wearing a gold earring, a hat, a short jacket, and a white cloth face mask.
“When someone’s home is burgled, it feels like a very personal invasion and it can cause great distress. Londoners should feel safe when they are in their homes, so we are working hard to crack down on crimes like these,” said Detective Constable Aaron Cody, who leads the investigation.
“We are keen to speak to anyone who can help in any way. Maybe you were in the area at the time and saw something suspicious. Or maybe you have heard about individuals who are trying to sell items matching the descriptions of what was taken.”
Improving flat security
In Bromley, burglary comprises 5.1 percent of reported crimes in the postcode area, accounting for 1.4k incidents. This figure saw a marginal 0.3 percent decrease in the year-over-year comparison from December 2022 to November 2023, as per Plumplot.
Flat protection starts from the outside. Residents should ensure their managing agent or landlord regularly trim back shrubs and other greenery to maintain clear sightlines and avoid hindering lighting or CCTV effectiveness.
Despite limited entry points, flats require active community engagement. Residents should be mindful of suspicious activity and ensure communal doors are closed and locked behind them.
The police recommend audio-visual door entry systems. Features like self-closing arms, dual magnetic locks (top and bottom), fire alarm integration, and key fob-operated electronic access control can also enhance overall building security.
Even with robust building security, vigilance remains crucial. Flat residents should always ensure windows and doors are locked when unoccupied, especially those living on the ground floor. Consider consulting a Master Locksmiths Association locksmith, as they can reinforce door frames and check if locks and hinges meet British Standard requirements.
Residents or building owners can consider engaging security firms like Marengo to bolster building security. Their services may include security assessments to identify vulnerabilities, personalised security plans, residential guard services, live video monitoring, entry management systems, and integrated security solutions. In addition, they can potentially mitigate legal liabilities and decrease the likelihood of unauthorised entry, vandalism, and theft.
