Thefts at Harrow Leisure Centre have been slashed in the past four months after police and staff upped security following a spate of crimes.

In April, the Observer reported how as many as 23 people had been victims of locker break-ins in the first few months of the year at the centre in Christchurch Avenue,Wealdstone.

Personal belongings such as iPods, cash, mobile phones and car keys were taken from lockers after thieves prised them open.

Marlbourough Safer Neighbourhood Team, which polices the area, stepped in to resolve the problem however, and the issue has been slowed almost to a stand still.

Since our report, police have joined forces with staff to try and address the issue and there has been just one theft from a locker.

In that time they have installed additional CCTV cameras on the site, increased the amount of signs warning people about thieves and heightened patrols of the area.

The centre itself has also employed a member of staff,who guards the premises for more than 40 hours a week.

Sergeant Nick Foster is delighted with the improvement and is confident of keeping crime to a minimum there.

He said: "To only have one locker theft in the last four months is a huge improvement and we are very pleased with that.

"It just shows how the police and its partners can work together to help reduce crime.

"Obviously we can't rest on our laurels and we will continue to ask people to be vigilant with their personal property."