The Communities and Public Protection Scrutiny Committee of Waltham Forest Council met on Wednesday 16 September 2026 to discuss community safety, the implementation of new tobacco and vapes legislation, and the council's future work programme. The meeting was scheduled to include updates from the Metropolitan Police and the North East BCU Independent Advisory Group.

North East BCU Independent Advisory Group Update

The committee was scheduled to receive a verbal update from the Chair of the North East BCU Independent Advisory Group. This update was expected to cover current community safety priorities and performance within the borough.

Metropolitan Police Borough Update

A verbal update was also scheduled from the Metropolitan Police Service, focusing on their current community safety activities and priorities in Waltham Forest.

Community Cohesion and Resilience

The committee was set to review a report detailing Waltham Forest's approach to community cohesion and resilience. The report indicated that community cohesion in the borough is generally strong, with high levels of belonging and positive relationships between people from different backgrounds. However, it also highlighted that these benefits are not experienced equally across all communities, and that strengthening inclusion, participation, trust, and community resilience remains a priority. The report outlined a four-pillar approach: strengthening community relationships, tackling hate crime, preventing radicalisation and extremism, and monitoring community tensions. It also detailed the governance and performance arrangements in place, including Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) across five themes: Community Engagement and Awareness, Equality, Inclusion and Lived Experience, Allyship Education and Training, Prevention and Education in Schools, and Partnership Working and Community Intelligence. The report noted challenges such as the under-reporting of hate crime and the need to address online harms, misinformation, and social polarisation.

Implementation of the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026

A report was scheduled to provide an overview of the council's preparations for implementing the Tobacco and Vapes Act 2026. This legislation aims to create a smoke-free generation and strengthen the regulation of vaping and nicotine products. The report was expected to outline new enforcement responsibilities for the council, including those for Trading Standards, Premises Licensing, and Public Health. Key legislative changes include a progressive prohibition on the sale of tobacco products to individuals born after 1 January 2009, new controls on youth vaping, restrictions on advertising, the introduction of Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs), and a future mandatory licensing scheme for tobacco, vape, and nicotine retailers. The report detailed the timeline for implementation, with key provisions coming into effect from October 2026. It also outlined the implications for the council, including the lead enforcement role for Trading Standards and the significant new regulatory function anticipated for the Premises Licensing Service with the introduction of a licensing scheme. Preparatory actions included reviewing enforcement policies, updating officer training, and engaging with local retailers.

The Scrutiny Report

The committee was scheduled to review its future work programme for the 2026/27 municipal year. This included reviewing suggested items for the forward plan and making additional suggestions. The report also invited the committee to review and comment on the Action Tracker from the previous meeting, which captures actions required of officers and their progress. A Recommendation Tracker, which captures the committee's conclusions on how services should change or improve, was also to be reviewed. The report noted that there were no key decisions currently falling under the committee's remit. The forward plan included potential items such as neighbourhood policing, community cohesion, preventative approaches to community safety, youth engagement, data collection, the experiences of disabled residents, shoplifting, police accountability, and the relationship between public spaces and community safety.