A burgled councillor recovering from a raid on her home is calling for more police on Lower Morden streets.

Councillor Edith Macauley was attending a Labour party fish and chips quiz night at St George's church hall when thieves broke into her home and ran off with a large sum of cash and precious jewellery.

Coun Macauley found her back door smashed and outdoor security light broken when she returned to her home on Queen Mary Avenue with her husband at 10:30pm on Friday night.

Coun Macauley, who is cabinet member for community safety, engagement and equalities, said: "I found my building society book and possessions all over the floor. They stole all my gold and silver jewellery which has a sentimental value and can't be replaced."

Thieves also ran off with a large amount of cash Mr Macauley had just withdrawn to pay their builder.

Coun Macauley said: "The police have been wonderful. They arrived very quickly and came the next day, but I just feel that because Lower Morden is a low crime area they are being complacent.

"As soon as you do, that is when thieves arrive.

"There have been a lot of burglaries in this area recently and many people in my ward, especially elderly residents, are very concerned."

Coun Macauley raised the issue with acting borough commander superintendent David Palmer and senior Metropolitan Police officers at the Mayor of London's Office for Policing and Crime at a public open meeting at Merton Civic Centre on Tuesday night.

Stephen Greenlagh, deputy mayor for policing and crime, said: "It looks like it is a relatively low crime area. It is very important that we prevent it happening and prevent more victims.

"This is a massive part of the battle against crime."

 

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