Crime

The leader of Runnymede Borough Council has been charged with drink-driving.

John Furey, 65, of New Haw Road, Addlestone, was arrested after car crash in Addlestone on Sunday May, 16.

He is due to appear at North West Surrey Magistrates Court on Wednesday, July 28.

A FIRE was started in a derelict building at the Runnymede Centre, off Chertsey Road, on Monday, June 14.

The blaze caused significant damage to the interior of the building, although the centre was not damaged during the incident.

Members of staff and young people from a community boxing group who were using the centre at the time of the incident detained a 15-year-old boy from Chertsey and a boy and girl, both 13-years-old, from Addlestone, in connection with the incident.

The incident is being treated as arson and is being investigated by detectives at Staines CID.

The fire was put out by Surrey Fire and Rescue Service and no one was injured as a result of the incident.

Anyone who witnessed the fire or with any information should call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference RM/10/3625, or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

IT WAS a Monday morning wake-up call Byfleet resident Richard Banks could have done without.

Both his back tyres slashed on his car outside his home and no way to get to his office, 12 miles away in Guildford.

And what's more, a look down his street, in High Road, and he could see no less than five other cars vandalised overnight.

Speaking exclusively to the Surrey Herald, Mr Banks said: "I was just getting ready for work when a neighbour knocked on my door to tell me about my car.

A 29-year old car thief was arrested in Chertsey after being pursued by Surrey Police.

The man, from Plaistow, in east London, was arrested after witnesses saw someone matching his description take a silver Mercedes from an address in Guildford Street at about 6.30pm on Sunday, June 13.

The vehicle was driven down Guildford Street and after a short police pursuit was stopped by officers in Heriot Road.

A man was arrested at the scene on suspicion of theft and driving while over the legal alcohol limit.

Church officials in Chertsey have labelled the actions of thieves who stole lead from the roof of St Peter's Church as "sad" and "irritating".

Jackie Loveridge, church administrator, said the theft would add to the workload of the church while the Reverend Tim Hillier described it as "sad for the individuals who have put so much effort into keeping the building going."

Thieves struck at the church in Windsor Street, in the town centre, during the night of Thursday, June 10.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after three offenders stole a bicycle from a 13-year-old boy in Chertsey.

The incident took place on a path off Hanworth Lane, in Addlestone Moor, at about 7.45am on Friday, May 28.

The victim, who is from Chertsey, was riding his grey mountain bike along the path when he was approached by the three boys.

The offenders threatened the victim and forced him to hand over his bike before walking away from the area pushing the bike.

The victim was not harmed during the incident.

Police in Runnymede are appealing for information following a theft from a residential address in Chertsey last week.

The incident took place in Bridge Wharf between 11.30pm on Monday 17 May and 12.30am on Tuesday 18 May.

Witnesses reported two men, believed to be in their late teens or early twenties, climbed up to the balcony of an upper floor flat and stole two boxes of bottled lagers.

The suspects then climbed back down and made off from the area on foot.

Surrey Police officers have since carried out houses to house enquiries in the area and are reviewing local CCTV footage.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or with any information regarding the suspects should call Surrey Police on 0845 125 2222, quoting reference RM/10/2972, or call independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Three people, including one man from Chertsey, have been arrested on suspicion of theft after police stopped their vehicle in Chobham High Street.

Two men were seen loading copper cabling into a Ford transit van in Bousley Rise, Ottershaw, at 2.40pm on Monday, May 24.

The vehicle was stopped in Chobham some 20 minutes later and a search conducted. The cabling is believed to have been stolen from the yard of a farm in Ottershaw, on May 23.

The occupants of the van, an 18-year-old male from Chertsey, and a 19-year-old woman and a 19-year-old male from Chobham, were arrested on suspicion of theft.

They have been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

POLICE are appealing for witnesses after a woman was assaulted in Chertsey.

The victim, 50, was struck several times in her face, leaving her with cuts to her nose and a scratch to her right cheek.

Officers attended the scene and arrested a 50-year-old man from Feltham on suspicion of actual bodily harm. He has since been released on police bail.

Police are keen to speak to a white man seen driving a blue vehicle near the scene of the crime. He is believed to have witnessed the incident, which happened at about 8.50pm on Thursday, May 13, in Bittams Lane, off St Peter's Way.

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has any further information should call Surrey Police on: 0845 125 2222, quoting reference RM/10/2842.

Alternatively, they can call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Police and trading standards are warning residents about cold callers selling home security systems.

Commission driven salesmen are claiming that alarms are free, but fail to disclose hidden charges until it is too late, or are misrepresenting crime figures in an area to trick householders into thinking crime is on the up.

In the past few weeks, residents across Surrey have reported cold callers pulling these tricks, and implying that the company is working with the police or undertaking research on their behalf, which is untrue.

Surrey Trading Standards is now monitoring those companies that have generated the most complaints and will take enforcement action under consumer protection legislation if the situation does not improve.

Steve Playle, trading standards officer at Surrey County Council, said: "Our advice, as always, is to never deal with cold callers who either telephone or come to your doorstep.

"If you are looking to install home security, then take time to research the providers available, get recommendations from friends and family and ask companies to come out and give you a quote."

And Surrey Police warned against taking sellers' word for it when it comes to being police approved.

Supt Colin Green said: "While we encourage every resident to consider their home security and take precautions, Surrey Police does not endorse particular products and companies.

"If you have been contacted by a company claiming to be police approved or offering a guarantee of a police response, I would advise that you treat this call with caution and do not enter into any agreement without careful consideration."

Anyone concerned about cold callers can call Consumer Direct on 08454 040 506.

Residents can also visit www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk which has a list of approved traders.