Woking - Police step up patrols to combat mail theft

[TrueBlueTerrier]

http://www.wokingpeople.co.uk/Police-st ... story.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

A CRIMINAL investigation has begun after dozens of people's mail was stolen in Woking.

Police have stepped up patrols around the Maybury and Mount Hermon areas in an effort to catch the culprits.

So far 75 people who mainly live in the Mount Hermon area have been victims of postal theft.

In May, Royal Mail launched its own investigation following reports mail was being stolen.

Police officers met with concerned residents at St Dunstan's Church, Woking, on Thursday to advise and update them on the situation.

Neighbourhood Sergeant Nolan Heather said: "We understand that these thefts have caused huge concern for the local community and officers have been working closely with the Royal Mail to pass information to assist their internal investigation. The issue has also been made a Force priority by Surrey Police.

"We have already increased patrols and those living in the affected areas should notice a visible policing presence in these areas during the times when we know post has been being stolen."

Anyone with information should call 101 or anonymously at Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

[wabbithunta]

There was also a rather poor, or should I say shoddy(?) news story in a local newspaper or so it seemed to me at least. It was in The Woking News and Mail if I recall the other week. No real detail, just supposition and rumour mongering that implied it could be a postie behind these alleged thefts. Also nothing from Royal Mail either, not even a comment to say it is undergoing investigations etc was in that papers news item about this, hence my comment about supposition etc and as I said poor journalism at the very least.

According to earlier news items people wearing hi-vis vests were seen to be going through mailboxes while making out they were delivering leaflets. (not proven or disproved) Also no details as to where either. Blocks of flats are in these areas so it could possibly have been there, mail lifted from mailboxes?
Again no details or proof of this from the news items in the past. OK mail has been stolen, according to the people concerned, and the chances of people getting sensitive personal data ie bank details etc is also a possibility as well as claims of c/cards going missing too.
This has been going on for awhile now, as far as I know there have been at least two other posts about this subject.


TrueBlueTerrier posted this too on May 31st:
(Maybury residents hit by spate of postal thefts) http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... 18&t=45407" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I posted this back on Aug 15th:
(Surrey Police email Woking residents to warn of post theft) http://www.royalmailchat.co.uk/communit ... =1&t=46792" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;


For the amount of money stolen from accounts.. or rather accounts "cleaned out"(?) runs into the thousands it's been said. Isn't it about time the person or persons concerned who are doing this are caught and brought to book? The local police must have an idea of who/what/where/when etc, assuming that is, that Royal Mail have given details to the police concerning these thefts. Or do Royal Mail not disclose information until they've caught the people concerned, assuming that is they work for Royal Mail, and not necessarily in the local delivery office that is? I would guess that the police, even underfunded as they may be would have this high on their list as this is the third news report about this since May of this year.

One thing that they've overlooked possibly(?) could be that online phishing attacks on these people may have also occurred. I'm not saying this is so, it's a thought to ponder on as well.

So why do these local papers, both online and printed, heap suspicion on the posties who deliver the mail when they've no real proof! If I was the postie covering the areas concerned I would not be impressed by the news items to say the least. Let's hope it is an outside source who is behind this and if so will the papers even give an apology for implying that any postie covering these areas are not to blame? Somehow I think not.

[wabbithunta]

Man arrested in Woking postal theft investigation

http://www.wokingpeople.co.uk/Man-arres ... story.html

A MAN has been arrested after post addressed to dozens of people in the Woking area was stolen.
A 28-year-old man from London has been detained after police executed a search warrant at his Hackney home.
He is suspected of identity theft, fraudulent use of bank cards and theft of mail.
Some 75 people in the Maybury and Mount Hermon areas have had letters and parcels addressed to them go missing.
Surrey Police said it has made combating the thefts one of their priorities and officers held a meeting at St Dunstan's Church in Woking last week to lend advice and update residents on their progress in catching those responsible.
Karen Mizzi, temporary detective chief inspector, said: "I am continuing to ask local residents to report any thefts or suspicious behaviour in their area in relation to this pattern of offending. Any information which can help further this investigation, which is one our force priorities, can be reported at Surrey Police on 101."

Also this news report too

Man arrested in mail thefts investigation

http://www.getsurrey.co.uk/news/s/21250 ... estigation

A MAN has been arrested on suspicion of theft of mail in Guildford and Woking after a warrant was executed by police in the Hackney area of east London.
The 28-year-old was also being questioned at Guildford police station on Friday in connection with identity theft offences and the fraudulent use of bank cards.
Temporary Detective Chief Inspector Karen Mizzi said: "I am continuing to ask local residents to report any thefts or suspicious behaviour in their area in relation to this pattern of offending."
Residents in areas of Woking have reported a spate of postal thefts since May this year,
Members of the public who wish to report details can call Surrey Police on 101, quoting Operation Arrowroot, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Maybe the police will have this sorted soon, in time for Christmas and hopefully those who had suffered from this may even get to enjoy their Christmas too?