The meeting held at Woodmansterne Primary School on 5th May.
PS Lee-Ann Mills and PC Jai Patel from the Common and Vale Met Police were in attendance, and told the meeting that the familiar face of PC Adam Brooks would no longer be seen so often in the Vale as he was now stationed in Streatham Hill, working particularly on liaison with schools and young people.
He will still be working with Woodmansterne and Granton schools. Many people expressed their thanks for the work he put into maintaining contact with local residents groups.
A new member of the team has been appointed, PC Richard Johnson. We look forward to meeting him in the near future. The team presented the crime figures for the ward. The figures are recorded according to Metropolitan Police categories. It was explained that figures for vehicle crime would not be for traffic offences, but would be theft of and from cars or criminal damage to cars. Burglaries were often break ins of sheds and outbuildings rather than houses. The burglars seem to be concentrating on stealing power tools and bikes.
The audience had that chance to raise issues with the officers. As ever, lack of manpower and the fact that borough wide priorities take precedence was a source of frustration for local officers and residents alike. Dilatory response times for reports of criminal behaviour at night was raised. The team were asked if there were any night time patrols in the Vale? Apparently the few night time response teams are targeted in the
north of the borough in hotspots round Waterloo and the South Bank.
Residents are urged to keep on contacting police when they see criminal or suspicious activity as it strengthens the hand of our local officers so they can justify more police manpower for the Vale. Councillor Adilypour mentioned in particular, that there was evidence of an organised gang committing crimes around Streatham Lodge and the Common and requested that this be made a priority for investigation.
Residents asked about car crime. There have been a lot of cars being stolen and having the number plates changed. Also number plates being stolen for use on other vehicles. Residents are asked to take all precautions they can to make it as difficult as possible for thieves to get access. The problem of
speeding hire and electric bikes, on both roads and pavements was mentioned. It was suggested that they should all be licensed so that anti-social, or dangerous users could be more easily identified.
Something we can lobby our representatives to put in place?
Our officers have been involved in an initiative on Streatham High Road which aimed to identify stolen cars and vehicles involved in crime. This resulted in both arrests and seizure of stolen goods or illegal items. Our officers have been trying to get a similar operation for the Vale. The problem they have to surmount is that there has to be a safe area for the identified vehicles to be pulled over without completely blocking the road, Because of the on street parking this is a problem. The bay outside the Co-op is not only used as a bus stop, but also for regular stack deliveries for the Co-op.
The ongoing issues with some HMOs was discussed. Once again, if residents are vigilant and report whenever they see or hear illegal or anti-social behaviour, it gives the police the evidence they need to obtain a search warrant and take action. It was suggested that a flyer should be produced detailing who to contact in the case of a problem be it criminal or nuisance behaviour. It was noted that some nuisance behaviour was as a result of inadequate provision for the huge number of vulnerable people who seem to
have been housed in the Vale. Contact numbers for these situations should also be included as too often the landlords will not take action.
The councillors also gave an update. Following on from the discussion of problem HMOs, the councillors explained that when a house is used to house vulnerable people, as supported housing, this is not classed as as change of use and it is still classed as a family home. Many local authorities outside Lambeth own property in the Vale which they use to house those in need of supported housing. The support provided is outside of Lambeth’s control and sadly often falls short of what is needed for both the tenants and their
neighbours.
The Co-op starting using door security has reduced the amount of shoplifting.
Lime bikes not parked in parking bays must be regularly removed by the company to a designated parking bay in order to reduce pavement hazards. Unfortunately people have learned how to tamper with the hire bikes so their position is not logged. Again please alert Lime to improperly discarded bikes or scooters. There has been an increase in the seizure of illegally modified electric bikes which was positive news.
The next Safer Neighbourhoods meeting will be on Tuesday 15 th September.
We will publish more details nearer the time, but please put the date in your diary.
