Presentations from the Police
To give an overview on crime figures, the College ward police team and the issue concerning burglaries across the wards notably East Dulwich and Village wards.
Inspector Duncan Jackson and the Borough Commander.
Presentations from the following groups:
· Southwark Neighbourhood Watch – Abigail Taubin
· Safer Neighbourhoods Board – Elena Noel
Presentations from the council
· Joint Enforcement Team (JETs) – Susan Hunter
· SOLACE (Women’s’ aid) domestic abuse and violence – Ayonike Atere
· Southwark Safer Communities: Southwark Strategy on domestic abuse - Eva Gomez
There will be a panel discussion which will involve the representatives listed above.
Minutes:
The chair introduced the theme on crime and community safety.
The following representatives were present for the theme and were part of the discussion panel:
· The Borough Commander, Met police
· Inspector Duncan Jackson - Camberwell and Dulwich policing teams
· Abigail Taubin – Southwark Neighbourhood Watch
· Susan Hunter - JETs (joint enforcement teams)
· Eva Gomez – Safer Communities Manager
· Ayonike Atere – SOLACE (women’s aid)
· Elena Noel – Safer Neighbourhood Board
The panel members introduced themselves and presented an overview of their role.
Abigail Taubin outlined the essential use of smartwater on valuables and how to encourage people to be good neighbours. This would help the council, police and other community agencies to help tackle anti social behaviour and crime in the area.
Sue Hunter from community wardens explained that her team were now known as the joint enforcement team (JET). The team were formed in November 2015. The newly structured team consists of 40 uniformed officers that provide a borough wide service which includes providing a reassuring patrol presence.
The south joint enforcement team (JET) comprised of the wardens, and a dedicated police team - a sergeant and five police constables. The team operate in the community council areas of Camberwell, Dulwich and Peckham and Nunhead.
Eva Gomez, safer communities’ manager spoke about the women’s safety charter and low level harassment which was a big issue for Southwark residents and visitors in bars and clubs. Eva showed a short film clip about Southwark’s women’s safety charter. The film showed those that had signed up to it. Eva explained that the film was available on the council’s u-tube channel. So far 72 premises in the borough had signed up to the charter.
Eva mentioned that the council were launching an awareness campaign about domestic abuse. She encouraged people to check the council’s website for details.
Ayonike Atere from SOLACE spoke about the services they offer. The project provides a risk assessment and support plan for each client. They offer a counselling service to a women’s group on domestic abuse, and training opportunities. Ayonike made reference to the community champions who offer support in the community.
Elena Noel, from the safer neighbourhood board spoke about the work they do and outlined they worked separately from the police.
Inspector Jackson addressed the issue of burglaries in the area and recognised that it was a big issue in Village ward. As a result there would be increased patrols in the area. He urged people to report crime no matter how small it was. He also encouraged people to mark their valuables with smartwater which is a traceable liquid product that detects and deters criminal activity particularly burglary and metal theft.
Local residents and traders referred to the surveillance cameras that were installed on Norwood Road. They said that since the cameras were taken down crime had increased in the area. Other residents felt that they received an excellent service from the police.
After each address, the panel responded to questions from the audience.
The chair thanked everyone who took part in the theme debate.