Agenda item

Officers from the local Safer Neighbourhoods Teams to give an update and respond to questions.

Community Wardens update.

Sergeant Tom Leach (Brunswick Park), summarised activities ward by ward since the last meeting in June.

Camberwell Green:

There had been positive enforcement on street drinkers in the area. Several penalty notices had been issued and incidents of anti-social behaviour had fallen. The additional officers under the new local policing model had led to a rise in arrests. A number of drug search warrants had been issued and a crack house identified.

South Camberwell:

There had been a rise in burglaries around East Dulwich Road and two males had recently been arrested in connection with offences in the area. The local police team assisted the Albrighton centre during the summer on various programmes. These had reduced anti-social behaviour and crimes involving young people on the estates.

Brunswick Park:

There had been a focus on street crime along with robbery, burglary and drug dealing. A recent joint initiative to stop cycling on pavements and jumping red traffic lights had been a combination of education and enforcement. During the summer the local police supported the work of the youth centre on Vestry Road which helped reduce crime. A sixteen year old was recently stabbed and robbed whilst out with his girlfriend, three suspects were in custody. 

In response to questions, Sgt. Leach made the following points:

• The Police did regular patrols on the estates in the stairwells and alleyways

• Stop and search was an important tool in police work. When officers received information about someone carrying a knife, officers used stop and search to get the weapon off the street along with the offender.

• Begging is a criminal offence and officers could arrest anyone caught begging. Often there were related drug and housing issues involved with street beggars. Residents should report street begging to police officers.