EALING COMMUNITY AND POLICE CONSULTATIVE GROUP
REPORT OF A MEETING,
Note: This group has been in existence for some time and
The new Borough Police Chief, Martin Bridger, addressed the meeting and spoke of his strategy, style and policies:
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He has set up a Senior Management Team of three, covering Crime, Community Partnerships and Operations
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His culture is to improve performance, work in partnership, be more accountable, raise the media profile, improve communication
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Partnership has started with the Council and sounds impressive. He recognises the need for working with community groups and acknowledges this is currently weak. Several of us made this point
Information points
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Acton police station will be refurbished starting September, 24 hour cover will be maintained
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Permanent (Home) Beat officers (PBOs) will be retained. They have had to be deployed elsewhere for several months; from June 1st they will be present and up to full strength in 2-3 months. (Our PBO has moved to Notting Hill).
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Police Community Safety Officers support PBOs in high-risk areas. 8 now, 28 by end of year
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Problem Solving teams support PBOs
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He recognises that Neighbourhood Watch is badly run in the Borough and will investigate; PBOs will reactivate. The meeting expressed very strong feelings on this and were assured that it would improve
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He recognises the problems of anti-social behaviour and vandalism especially in the summer. Some areas are experiencing frightening situations.
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The fire-amnesty in April realised 145 weapons
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Drugs; there are crack houses in Ealing which will be targeted continuously
In all a
positive and encouraging presentation, but we shall have to wait and see; some
people were
cynical and had heard it all before.