EALING COMMUNITY AND POLICE CONSULTATIVE GROUP

REPORT OF A MEETING, MARCH 18, 2004

I was not able to attend the rescheduled AGM; there is now a new Chairman and the meeting was well run and well attended. Unfortunately, Mr Bridger was unable to attend.

POLICE REPORT

This was given by Superintendent Joe Wadsworth, new to Ealing from Westminster, who is responsible for Partnership, crime reduction etc. He referred to reductions in crime: Ealing is second best in the Met. for reductions in street crime. The Met. has been given extra powers of stop and search in regard to terrorism; Ealing has an extra “bomb car” and cooperation with British Transport police has increased. Community intelligence is essential.

Chief Inspector Chris Allmey – also new – runs the Performance Unit. He listed the policing objectives for 2004-05; these were formulated using intelligence gathered. Everything was costed. The definitions of crime had been changed to give a clearer focus, with concentration on robbery, burglary, vehicle crime and neighbourhood security. Public satisfaction would be gauged through a survey. Drugs are high priority; Ealing will have a Drugs squad to initiate proactive operations, including anti-social behaviour. Rape and hate crime, gun crime, road casualties and the efficiency of the criminal justice systems were also mentioned. The new by-word is Safer Neighbourhoods, with concentration on one or two areas initially. Ward policing will be phased in by 2008. The Community must say what it wants. Chief Inspector Ben Honey filled in details of crime and programmes. The S. Acton Estate scheme was proving a success and would continue until December. The first three areas for Ward policing did not include Southfield

This all sounded wonderful, but the audience was sceptical. Points raised included the shortage of police phone lines, the effectiveness of Ealing Borough’s partnership with the police; (what are they doing to keep young people off the street? could Council members attend our meetings?), the length of time replying to letters; (the aim is 10 days) and why did Ealing have fewer police than other similar boroughs?

Acton Police station will now close on July 1 for refurbishment and should re-open in January, 2006. The station will remain fully operational 24 hours every day; there will be portakabins in the forecourt.

The next meeting is on May 13. Please let me know if you would like to attend.

Liz Dendy, March 20, 2004