Forum Topic

The First Borough in Britain to get  24-hour Policing

To me, the most exciting news to affect the borough of Hammersmith & Fulham for ages is that we are to be the first borough in the UK to get round-the-clock street policing.The introduction of Safer Neighbourhood Teams - one sergeant, two PCs and three PCSOs for each ward - was a great step in the right direction, but they currently only operate for around 8 hours per day.What happens during the other 16 hours??? Well, this pilot scheme is going address that by introducing five teams (led by a "Sheriff") working shifts to create a 24/7 police presence on the street.If you would like to hear more details and how to join your ward's Safer Neighbourhood Panel (which regularly meets with your local police), please add the following to your diary:-H&F Community Safety Board meetingThursday 25 January6:30 pmHammersmith Town Hall.RegardsEdwardEdward NoelChair, Hammersmith & Fulham Community Safety Board

Edward Noel ● 6754d11 Comments

Thanks, Edward and Mark, for the information.  It sounds promising.

Ben Coleman ● 6724d

Thanks for keeping people up to date with this.The real difference is that at the moment, a single safer neighbourhood shift can't really hope to cover continuous problems. A good example is the dispersal zone in Ravenscourt Park. The team there can't enforce it for more than a few hours a week and are never there early in the morning or in the evenings.This is a bit of gamble for the Council - given the £1.5 million price tag - but if it works it will give a lot of people pause for thought.

Mark Loveday ● 6726d

As I mentioned in previous posts, the police gave a detailed presentation about the introduction of 24/7 policing last night at the H&F Community Safety Board meeting. (I had hoped that a few people who contribute to this forum - particularly those who express an interest in local crime and disorder issues - would attend, but was once again disappointed in this respect.)One person who did turn up as a member of the audience to hear details of the 24/7 policing scheme was former Leader of the Council and MP for Ealing, Acton & Shepherd's Bush, Andy Slaughter. It was good to see one of H&F's MPs at the CSB, along with the Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Heather Valentine, and the Council's Cabinet Member with responsibility for Crime & Anti-social Behaviour, Greg Smith.Heather Valentine is a great supporter of the Community Safety Board, and is dedicated to openness and frank discussion with residents of the borough. She rang me this morning to agree dates for the CSB meetings for the rest of the year, and I have listed them below in the hope that some of you may be able to attend a couple:-26th March 22nd May 17th July 19th September 21st November So far, the planned venue for all these meetings is Hammersmith Town Hall, but I shall confirm precise details via this forum nearer the time.Finally, in answer to your question, Ben: the pilot will take place in the the wards of Shepherd's Bush Green and Fulham Broadway. It will run for a period of 2 years, commencing on 4th April. It will cost £4 million, of which £1.5m is being provided by the Council, and £2.5m by local businesses and other sources. These two wards were chosen by the police after extensive research and consideration into their characteristics and the types and numbers of crimes committed in them.

Edward Noel ● 6726d

Does anyone know which the two wards are this will be piloted in and how they were chosen?

Ben Coleman ● 6726d

I agree - I think it's a big step in the right direction."Obviously the police can't be everywhere at the same time."No, but the introduction of Safer Neighbourhood Teams means that each ward has 6 police dedicated to patrolling that specific ward - if only for a few hours of the week.This pilot brings in 5 teams per ward, so really should lead to the feeling that the police are never too far away (especially for those committing crime and anti-social behaviour).This project will be explained and discussed in greater detail at the H&F Community Safety Board meeting tomorrow.

Edward Noel ● 6728d

The pilot of 24-hour street policing is going to happen in just 2 of the borough's 16 wards initially, but it will certainly go on through the summer months - indeed, it is due to run for 2 years.Let's hope it is a huge success, and that it will be extended to all H&F wards.

Edward Noel ● 6728d

Can't make the meeting, but look forward to hearing more.  Its all a step in the right direction.  I certainly feel a little safer now when I am out late in the evenings though obviously the police can't be everywhere at the same time.  Good luck with the project.

Caroline MacMillan ● 6728d

McCloud comes to mind.........I too would like to say it is a fantastic idea, hopefully it will continue right through the summer season.

Carol Burge ● 6728d

How disappointing...the Sheriff of Nottingham then and not Cordell Walker?Sorry to be facetious;  it is great news that the police presence is to be increased.  I simply couldn't let the title 'sheriff' pass without comment.

Ann S. Allridge ● 6729d

Yes, that's what I thought of too when I heard the term "sheriff"! Sadly, I don't think they are actually going to use it oficially, which I think is a pity, because it creates a great image of someone determined to bring law and order to this here town...well, OK, ward. (Let's hope he at least gets a silver star.)Anyway, that has reminded me to remind readers of this forum that the next H&F Community Safety Board meeting is this Thursday 25 January at 6:30 pm in Hammersmith Town Hall.Please do come along if you are interested in hearing more about 24-hour policing (how will your ward be affected?) or if you would like to know more about joining your ward's Safer Neighbourhood Panel (which regularly meets with your local police team). The Police Borough Commander and the Councillor for Crime and Anti-social Behaviour will both be there for you to grill!EdwardEdward NoelChair, Hammersmith & Fulham Community Safety Board

Edward Noel ● 6729d

"...led by a sheriff..."Any chance we might get Walker Texas Ranger sent over instead of the sheriff?

Ann S. Allridge ● 6729d