The following message appeared on the Park Avenue & New River Crescent Neighbourhood Watch Facebook page on Friday 19th February:
Message from my husband:
A warning to watch out for men lingering in hi-vis jackets. This morning at 8.50am at the top of New River Crescent, I spotted a man in a hi-vis jacket, leant against a fence, just watching people leave their homes. I spotted him a couple or months ago, similar time, on Osbourne Rd, with a broom, walking around cars, pretending to sweep, but not actually sweeping. Today, his broom was leant behind him, and he was just surveying the street.
I approached him, asked him what he was doing and he said "Just sweeping the roads mate." I found it odd, because he didn't appear to be taking a break (not having a cigarette, checking phone, or even leaning against something to rest - he was just standing there on the spot looking around). And he didn't have anything to sweep into - what use is just pushing dirt around if you don't have any way to collect it?
He was wearing an Enfield Council branded beany hat and hi-vis jacket, so I presumed he was official, but I phoned the council to be sure. Enfield Council said that they only have road sweeps on bin collection days (which is Tuesdays, today is Friday), so would not have a sweep in the area today and they'd never send a worker out with just a broom - they'd always have a means to pick rubbish up. Also, all their road sweeps should display ID - he didn't have a badge. So it's pretty likely he was not official and he was casing the street to see what time people were leaving their houses.
I phoned the police on 101 - by this time about 40mins had passed, so it was too late for them to do anything. But if you see someone in a hi-vis jacket, please have a think whether it looks like they're legit - this guy was 6ft, 40yrs old, white.
The police asked if he turns up again to call 101 immediately and they'll send someone to ask for his ID. Of course we do have real road sweeps in our area! And I think the ones on the high street operate on more days than Tuesdays. But if it doesn't look like someone is really working, and just hanging around, then best to report it. Companies online will embroider a logo on a hat for only £10, so just because they look official, the person might not be.
Just spoke to a neighbour, who spotted the guy in the same spot at 8am and again at 8.30, so if I saw him at 8.50, he was there for about an hour, so it's pretty clear he was casing the street.
I've just worked out (from looking back through texts) that the last time I spotted him was Friday 18th Dec - the day before one of our neighbours was burgled. Possibly totally unconnected, but just keep an eye out. He's not the only guy in a hi-vis I've seen hanging about - there was a different guy a few months ago, in the evening (well beyond working hours), looking into some gardens, opposite. Could be totally legit - but hiding in plain sight is a common way to case a street, according to police.
Please report on here if you spot any dodgy characters (as well as tell the police).
