Warning to shoppers parking in Garratt Lane /Southside NCP Post Reply

[olgaoreo]

Don't leave anything valuable in your car in Garratt Lane /Southside NCP!!

On Friday around midday, I parked on the ground floor level in the Garratt Lane NCP. I went to Gap and bought a couple of coats in their half price sale. As they were bulky, I popped back to my car and put the coats in the footwell. I then did a quick food shop in Waitrose.
When I came back, my car window had been smashed and the coats had been stolen. Although the NCP staff were very helpful, there was very little they could do.The only CCTV cameras are at the entrances and exits, and they thought there was a very low chance of catching anyone.
I later heard from Gap that they believe gangs are operating in Southside - watching shoppers and then following them to their cars.

So beware!!

[Caferacer]

Thanks for the warning.

From what I understand you were in the ground floor of the Southside car park where the Waitrose entrance is situated.

This is worrying as I always thought of that floor as being the safest one to park owing to the amount of people around - the second safest being the third floor that exits onto the Cinema and restaurant "plaza".

The second floor seems a bit too quiet for me and I avoid where possible.

I suppose the disadvantage of the ground floor is that there is a pedestrian exit at the side of Waitrose straight onto the estate car park and then on to King George's Park. An excellent and speedy escape route for villains.

My eyes will be more peeled than usual in future - thanks.

[olgaoreo]

Hi

Yes I was parked on the same level at the Waitrose entrance and I agree with you - I always thought the ground floor was the safest, but I think you're right - the main disadvantage of this floor is that it has the closest / quickest access points.

I will now park on the 3rd floor - or actually may avoid the NCP totally and park in the Sainsbury's car park over the road. Does anyone know if this car park has any better surveillance ?

[Caferacer]

Ground floor of Sainsburys is much busier and there has the car cleaning team permanently stationed there which is some deterrence.

It does have some sort of patrol which supposedly checks parking tickets in everybodies front window - although I have never seen them. Neither Sainsburys or Southside seem to have any security presence in the car parks - they are all inside looking for shoplifters.

I think the bottom line is that public car parks are never that safe simply because anyone can access them with ease.

[Annabel (admin)]

Hello Everyone
We approach Southside for a comment and this is their reply...

‘We were sorry to hear about this unfortunate incident and also surprised that it had occurred in an area full of activity and during one of our busiest times of the day. To reassure everyone such occurrences at Southside are extremely rare and from our reports and continued liaison with the Metropolitan police suggestions that gangs are operating within Southside or the wider Wandsworth Town Centre are unsubstantiated. Unfortunately as with many retail destinations we will always be a target for individuals looking to take advantage of others. Our prime objective is to continue to provide a safe and secure environment but we would ask our customers to be extra vigilant at this time of year.’.

So please do be careful!

A

[Mirg]

That's a rather complacent response from Southside. It's up to us, despite their high charges. I've been parking there since it opened and I can't remember ever seeing anyone patrolling. I'm also amazed they don't have CCTV covering the parking areas. It's disingenuous of Southside to say there are no gangs operating as I have sat in a cafe there and overheard two policemen talking about people known to them, even if it may not be classed officially as gang activity.

[olgaoreo]

Hi yes I agree - I'm avoiding the NCP now and I'm parking in the Sainabury's car park over the road!

[Janet14]

We were there on Fri 27th Nov and I saw a car with a smashed window but it was in the bit of parking round the back right by the entrance so you wouldn't be able to see Waitrose from there. Not sure if this is where you mean but if not it looks like there were two break ins. I agree I always feel very nervous there...

[Hass2082]

They live on the ba k blicks of the Shopping Centre. Around 10 of them. Black Youths 17-19years of age. Assaukted and mugged my 12 year old Nephew forchis airpods and also pulled a knife at him.

I doubt Police will do anything.

[juliantenniscoach]

I'd like to know how they define "To reassure everyone such occurrences at Southside are extremely rare".