LBTV A Force for the community…
Emdad Rahman
Crime and burglaries featured highly on the agenda at the latest Safer Neighbourhood Team residents meeting.
Issues addressed during the meeting at Upney Baptist Church included discussions on current levels of anti social behaviour and home safety.
There was announcement of a community road watch which involves residents and Police officers standing outside with a speed gun during the rush hour traffic.
The next get together session for this is 5pm on Wednesday 23rd January on Longbridge Road. The meeting point will be at the junction of Hurstbourne Gardens and volunteers were urged to attend and participate.
In attendance was Councillor Rocky Gill who briefly addressed the volume of traffic with drivers cutting through off the main roads during rush hour.
He said, “This is a complicated matter that requires a full consultation and the support of TFL in order to be addressed effectively.”
With regards to knife crime, since 21st October on the Longbridge Ward, there’s been three knife incidents; one domestic incident, one causing injury and one arrest. There were 12 stop and searches with 7 positive outcomes.
In October there were 3 burglaries within the Ward, November there were 7, December there were 19 with 5 in one night. There were also 4 attempted burglaries. There have been 6 arrests made that could be linked to these incidents.
This is a matter of great concern in the neighbourhood and on this issue Sergeant James Kent commented, “It’s important that every incident and attempted burglary attempts are reported to help make a case for things like night time patrols.”
Councillor Gill commented that the fact that there are no overnight patrol officers means criminals know this. He said, “There is a lack of night patrols between the hours of 12 am and 5 am and from the evidence presented if these people are approached they may be in possession of knives and firearms. There is the matter of personal safety to consider. And not to forget that a lot of what’s going on is organised and there’s also criminal gangs flying in, hitting an area and flying out.”
The greatest concern for residents at the moment is the spate of burglaries, attempted burglaries and car thefts which have rocked the locals, with the apparent brazen nature of these activities by perpetrators causing great unrest amongst locals.
PCSO Caroline Potten confirmed that a funding bid has been submitted for Police night presence and visibility but residents are being encouraged to keep reporting to help build up a case for further support.
Also discussed were traffic controls during the school runs with PCNs being issued for double parking, stopping in the middle of the roads, double yellow lines and driveways.
Contact your local policing team
Phone
999 in an emergency
101 for everything else
Website
http://www.met.police.uk/a/your-area/met/barking-and-dagenham/longbridge/
Twitter
@MPSLongbridge
Personal alarms, low-energy lights on timers and forced entry window detectors were handed out to attendees.
The Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) is a group of Met police officers dedicated to serving the community. The team is made up of officers based in an area (or ‘ward’), supported by additional officers from the wider area.The team work closely with local authorities, community leaders and residents to decide policing priorities for the area.
This helps to find useful, long-term solutions to local problems, while maintaining a wider focus on reducing crime across London.
