Southfield Ward Safer Neighbourhood Panel records disappointing figures
Criminal activity increased last year in Southfield Ward despite having one of the highest number of Neighbourhood Watch (NW) schemes in London, with more that 43 streets covered.
The increases were recorded in all categories from burglaries to car-theft and bag snatches with an increasing number of pedal bicycles stolen, it's thought for their scrap metal value.
With the introduction of the new Local Policing Model expected in April, Safer Neighbourhood Teams will take on more responsibility for investigating crime and responding to non-emergency calls. The number of police assigned to SN policing is being increased – in the case of Ealing from 68 to 161. The following table shows the latest figures for crime in the Southfield Ward area, which was discussed at a recent meeting of the Southfield Panel. The chairman of the Southfield Ward Safer Neighbourhoods Panel, Mr. Chris Carrington said the figures were "disappointing, but should encourage people to heed police advice about securing their homes, and not leaving valuables in their cars."
Crime Activity. In 2012, crime activity in Southfield Ward increased, in comparison with 2011, across nearly every category:
|
Burglary |
Att Burglary |
Robbery/Snatch |
Theft of M/V |
Theft from M/V |
Theft of Pedal Cycles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2011 |
78 |
15 |
50 |
25 |
177 |
No data |
2012 |
111 |
29 |
61 |
44 |
198 |
82 |
Community oversight of policing is achieved through a Safer Neighbourhoods (SN) Panel in each ward. Panel members, people who live and work in the ward, are elected at a public meeting each year. The Southfield Panel, with the ward councillors, and a representative from Ealing Council's Safer Community Team, as ex-officio members, works closely with the police of the Southfield Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT). They represent to the SNT the community's thoughts, perceptions and concerns about local policing, and ensure the SNT is working to resolve issues that matter to the community.
At their meeting in February, the Southfield Panel's agenda included Neighbourhood Watch coverage within the ward, local crime activity, police priorities, and the new Local Policing Model.
Neighbourhood Watch . Southfield Ward has one of the highest number of Neighbourhood Watch (NW) schemes in London with more that 43 streets covered. Public involvement in NW schemes is a very effective way of deterring criminals and reducing crime, and NW members, by keeping their eyes and ears open, help extend the reach of the police in combating crime. In return, the police provide them with security advice, and keep them informed about crime activity, and initiatives to combat crime. If you would like to play a part in keeping crime down in Southfield by joining an existing scheme, or would be willing to form a scheme in your road, contact the Southfield Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) on 020 8721 2946 or email them at southfield.snt@met.police.uk .
These figures are disappointing, but should encourage people to heed police advice about securing their homes, and not leaving valuables in their cars. The increase in thefts of motor vehicles is due mainly to criminals targeting high end cars. Our Southfield SNT has been at the forefront in alerting owners to problems with the security of some models. Their work in this area received recognition on the BBC's Watchdog programme last year.
Community oversight of policing is achieved through a Safer Neighbourhoods (SN) Panel in each ward. Panel members, people who live and work in the ward, are elected at a public meeting each year. The Southfield Panel, with the ward councillors, and a representative from Ealing Council's Safer Community Team, as ex-officio members, works closely with the police of the Southfield Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT). They represent to the SNT the community's thoughts, perceptions and concerns about local policing, and ensure the SNT is working to resolve issues that matter to the community.
Police Priorities. One of the responsibilities of the Panel is to set the SNT's priorities for fighting crime. The current priorities are: burglary, motor vehicle crime, and theft of pedal cycles. The latter is becoming an increasing problem with more bicycles being stolen (it is thought) for their metal scrap value.
Local Policing Model. With the introduction of the new Local Policing Model across London in April, SNTs are set to become an even more important aspect of policing. The number of police assigned to SN policing is being increased – in the case of Ealing from 68 to 161. As a result, SNTs will take on more responsibility for investigating crime, and for responding to non-emergency and priority calls, in addition to their current responsibilities for patrolling, victim reassurance, executing warrants, and local problem solving. For full details of the proposed Local Policing Model go to: http://www.london.gov.uk/priorities/policing-and-crime/community-engagement
If you would like to become a member of the Southfield SN Panel please attend the AGM in September (date to be announced later) or contact the SNT (tel: 020 8721 2946; email: southfield.snt@met.police.uk ).
March 7, 2013