HARROW borough is working towards reducing the amount of priority crimes committed.

During the financial year to date, with regards to residential burglary, 110 fewer homes have been broken into, from 596 last year to 486.

Concerning non-residential, 147 fewer businesses have been burgled, from 304 to 157.

Harrow has the best reduction in the Met Police with regards to non-residential burglary, both actual and percentage.

Robbery figures have also fallen – 42 less people have been mugged on the streets of Harrow, from 250 to 208.

Theft from motor vehicle is 151 offences down from last year. This is an excellent achievement and it also reflects in the theft of motor vehicle offences, which is also 16 offences down, from 118 to 102.

Criminal damage offences have seen a significant drop, 114 offences down from last year, from 533 to 419. We will continue our drive to ensure these offences fall with the implementation of Operation Autumn Nights, as we draw into our busiest periods.

With the darker nights now setting in, it is very important that you are more aware of the need to protect yourself and your property. As I mentioned last week, crime is expected to increase during this seasonal period and I want to ensure all residents of Harrow and people using our borough are not targeted for crime.

One easy way to ensure that your home is better protected during this period is by the installation of security lighting.

Lighting up your home is a useful deterrent to burglars. You could consider leaving on some lights if it will be dark before you get home and fit an external security light. Windows are often used as either an entry or exit route for burglars. Properties with windows left open or unsecured locks are a desired target for the opportunist burglar. Please ensure you leave your windows and doors locked when leaving your homes.

A tool you may find useful is the Metropolitan Police virtual house tour – this takes you through a step by step guide in crime prevention for your home. You are able to search through the virtual home and collect tips along the way at http://content.met.police.uk/Site/virtualhousetour. This is also available through the main website www.met.police.uk- crime prevention.

On Sunday, September 1, Supt Ben Honey of Harrow Police opened the fun day at St John’s Church, Stanmore.

This well received community fun day was about bringing the local community together. I am extremely happy that we were a part of it. We will continue to ensure our presence at many more local events that involve the communities in which we police.

n Good work by my officers.Brian Moore, 30, of Dickson House, Lemsford Road, Hatfield, was sentenced to five years and three months imprisonment at Harrow Crown Court on August 30 for grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon.

On Saturday, February 16, at 1.15am, police were called to a fight outside Shanakee, High Street, Wealdstone.

The victim, an 18-year-old man, was in the street having an altercation with the suspect. The suspect then made off only to return with a hammer, which he used to strike the victim over the head. The victim was taken to hospital with a fractured skull.

The suspect was later arrested and charged with grievous bodily harm and possession of an offensive weapon. He pleaded guilty at court and was sentenced to five years and three months imprisonment.

DC Jamie Kay from Harrow Police said: “Brian Moore was unknown to us. We used specialist technology and a national BBC Crimewatch appeal to identify him and track him down.

“The injuries were life threatening and till this day still effect the standard of living for the victim, therefore we welcome the sentence imposed by the court.”