SAFER COMMUNITIES
Overall levels of crime have fallen across London between 2005/06 and 2014/15.
Ealing could be said to have even gone one better than this trend, with crime
figures for the borough at an all-time low for 10 years, reports Gracia Leo.
T
he total number of recorded
offences in the borough has
fallen from 37,295 to 25,887
during this period. And six of
the seven key crime categories are on
course for a 20% reduction by 2016.
However, people’s perceptions are
not always in step with this downward
trend – and, in fact, crime remains one
of the biggest concerns for residents in
Ealing. Therefore, the council, working
closely with the police, is keen to
improve residents’ confidence.
NEW PUBLIC FORUM
One way has been through setting
up a new safer neighbourhood
board, which is happening across
London. A variety of different types
of people sit on the board, including
lay members from the public. Unlike
other groups that have existed in the
borough before, this is where local
crime priorities are set as well and
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around ealing
Autumn 2015
police services are scrutinised. The
board is responsible for engaging
with residents, local community
groups and businesses on behalf of
the Mayor of London to make sure
COMMUNITY SAFETY STATS
The council and the police work
closely together to take offenders
to court. Between April 2014 and
March 2015 they have achieved:
■
43 injunctions against offenders
■
29 anti-social behaviour orders
(ASBOs)
■
12 acceptable behaviour
contracts (ABCs)
■
Seven closures of properties
associated with trouble
■
Five evictions related to antisocial behaviour
■
Three crack house closures.
needs identified by the community are
being addressed. It also helps to sets
priorities based on crime statistics,
trends and local knowledge.
More information about the role of
the boards is available on the Mayor of
London’s website www.london.gov.uk/
priorities/policing-crime
WORKING TOGETHER
Parkguard is employed by the
council to work across the borough
supporting police, park rangers and
the community to keep our parks and
open spaces safe. They also respond
to incidents elsewhere as required.
Over the last year the safer
communities team has made
increasing use of Parkguard in
residential areas to monitor potential
trouble spots. Their patrols have the
added benefits of providing a high
visibility deterrent to possible trouble
makers and reassurance to residents.