Theresa Villiers, MP for Chipping Barnet, dropped into the Barnet Anti-Burglary Roadshow on Saturday to show her support for efforts to crack down in this very damaging crime and find out about the advice being given to her constituents on how to prevent their homes being targeted by burglars.
The event took place on Saturday in Chipping Barnet library in Staplylton Road, High Barnet. Residents calling at the roadshow had the opportunity to meet representatives from Barnet Boroughwatch (who coordinate Neighbourhood Watch schemes in the borough) and the Barnet Community Safety Team which enables the Council to work together with other key organisations such as the police and Barnet Homes to tackle crime. Victim Support were also there to provide advice.
Speaking after meeting representatives from these organisations, Theresa said "I very much welcome the efforts being made to combat burglary in Barnet. I am very pleased that this roadshow has given so many of my constituents to opportunity to get advice on how to make their homes more secure."
"Expert advice has been available from the Police, Barnet Council and Neighbourhood Watch, so people could get tailored help on crime prevention."
"I would like to pay tribute to all the organisations who took part in the roadshow. The news that burglary has fallen by 27% in the local area is a credit to the determination of all of these groups."
"I would like to pay a particular tribute to Barnet Boroughwatch who play such a crucial role in crime prevention and rely almost entirely on the efforts of volunteers to carry out their work. They do a great service to our community. I very much enjoyed talking to them about the work they are doing to help elderly people in the borough and tackle fear of crime."
"I would encourage all my constituents to consider getting involved in Neighbourhood Watch. Elderly residents may also wish to consider the Council's "Care and Repair" service which provides free assistance to vulnerable older people with making their homes safer which I learned about for the first time at the roadshow."
The event was sponsored by London Borough of Barnet Community Safety Team and Barnet Boroughwatch. For more information about these organisations or the "Care and Repair" service, visit the Council's website at www.barnet.gov.uk.