The Safe Redbridge Committee met on Tuesday 30 June 2026 to discuss its work plan for the upcoming year. The committee agreed to focus its efforts on the issue of CCTV across the borough.

SAFE Redbridge Committee Work Plan 2026-2027

The committee discussed potential areas of focus for its work plan for the 2026-2027 year. John Richards, Director of Community Safety and Cohesion at Redbridge Council, presented three key options: CCTV, the council's response to domestic abuse, and the This Has to Stop campaign addressing violence against women and girls.

After considerable discussion, the committee agreed to prioritise CCTV as its main focus for the year. Councillors felt that this topic offered the most scope for tangible policy development and would address a significant concern for residents. While the other two topics were acknowledged as vital, the committee felt that CCTV offered the most direct avenue for their work as a policy development committee.

CCTV

The committee explored the complexities surrounding CCTV, including its effectiveness in crime prevention, the process for requesting and deploying cameras, and the legal parameters governing its use. Councillors noted the public demand for CCTV, particularly in response to issues like fly-tipping and street crime. The discussion also touched upon the council's investment in advanced technologies such as automatic number plate recognition software. The committee expressed interest in examining how CCTV is prioritised across the borough, considering factors beyond just crime rates, such as antisocial behaviour and risk assessments. The potential for reviewing staffing levels and ensuring 24-7 CCTV coverage, a previous manifesto pledge, was also highlighted.

Response to Domestic Abuse

The council's comprehensive response to domestic abuse was presented, highlighting the Reach Out service and innovative initiatives like the domestic abuse shop. The committee heard about the scale of domestic abuse, with one in four women experiencing it in their lifetime, and the council's commitment to providing a unified service regardless of whether survivors have children. The discussion also covered the Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (MARAC) process for managing high-risk victims and the importance of domestic homicide reviews.

This Has to Stop Campaign

The committee was briefed on the This Has to Stop campaign, a behaviour change initiative aimed at making streets safer for women. This campaign includes Redbridge's pioneering public space protection order to ban catcalling and extensive work in schools to challenge misogyny and equip individuals with tools to intervene safely in uncomfortable situations. The campaign has received national recognition, including a Local Government Chronicle Award in 2025.

National Grooming Gangs Inquiry

Councillor Clark Edward Vasey raised the significant national announcement regarding the inquiry into grooming gangs, chaired by Baroness Longfield, which will include London. He questioned the scope for the committee to examine group-based sexual exploitation and how Redbridge is engaging with this inquiry. While acknowledging the importance of the issue, the Director of Community Safety and Cohesion noted that safeguarding issues often fall under the remit of other committees, and further discussion would be needed to determine the appropriate forum for this topic. The committee agreed to take this matter away for further consideration.