The Overview and Scrutiny Committee of Merton Council met on Thursday 24 September 2026 to discuss crime and policing in the borough, review the council's work programme, and consider the work programmes of various scrutiny panels. Key discussions included updates from the Borough Commander on crime trends, policing strategies, and community engagement, as well as concerns raised by councillors regarding retail crime, speeding, and the disproportionate use of stop and search powers.

Crime and Policing in Merton

The committee received an update from the Borough Commander, Dan Knowles, and Acting Superintendent for Merton, Mike Wade, on crime and policing matters in the borough.

Key Issues Discussed:

• Galpins Road and Study Prep School Investigations: Borough Commander Dan Knowles acknowledged that these remain long-standing critical cases and are of significant public interest. He stated that the Galpins Road investigation is extremely complex due to legal, biological, and chemical science involved, with millions of documents requiring analysis. The investigation is ongoing, with further inquiries to be conducted. Regarding the Study Prep School case, Mr. Knowles confirmed that the trial is listed for February 2027, and a review into police decision-making and investigation is ongoing and independent of local policing.
• Reduction in Crime Information Sharing: The Chair, Councillor Edward Foley, expressed concern over the reduction in crime information routinely provided to members, noting that previous weekly crime lists by ward/borough had been valuable for understanding local trends. Police representatives acknowledged this, explaining that organisational changes within the Metropolitan Police Service and resource pressures had made continuation difficult. They are exploring alternative methods for sharing crime data while maintaining focus on frontline policing. The Head of Community Safety, Megan Hatton, emphasised that strong working relationships between the Council and Police remain despite these challenges.
• Accessibility to Policing Services: In response to questions about accessibility following the closure of traditional police front counters, officers explained that utilisation had significantly decreased, with an average of 2-3 crimes per day recorded across the Mitcham and Wimbledon front counters. Residents are now encouraged to use online reporting platforms, telephone reporting via 101, and emergency contact via 999.
• Neighbourhood Policing Hubs: Discussions are ongoing with local authority partners regarding the use of council premises to provide local policing bases.
• Car Meets at Tesco New Malden: Councillor Robert Page raised concerns about escalating behaviour and size at car meets at Tesco New Malden, citing issues such as the removal of bollards and speed bumps, dangerous driving, and excessive noise. Police and Council officers confirmed this remains a priority, with additional CCTV installed and ongoing engagement with Tesco regarding preventative measures. A partnership meeting had discussed the issue that morning.
• Disproportionate Stop and Search Rates: Councillor Agatha Mary Akyigyina OBE raised concerns about Black residents being disproportionately subjected to stop and search. Police representatives acknowledged this as a significant challenge and reiterated that powers should only be used where lawful grounds exist. Supervisory arrangements have been strengthened to improve oversight and ensure respectful interactions. Overall stop and search activity has reduced, with a positive outcome rate of approximately 39.4%.
• Retail Crime and Shoplifting: Police representatives reported significant reductions in retail crime (down 32%) and shoplifting offences (down 33.7%) in Merton. Technological developments, including Live Facial Recognition and platforms like Auror, are supporting efforts to identify repeat offenders. Enforcement activity targeting organised criminal networks involved in handling stolen goods was also highlighted. Councillor Max Austin questioned whether the reduction was partly due to businesses no longer reporting lower-value thefts, a point acknowledged by police as a historical issue that is now being addressed.
• Speeding and E-scooter Use: Councillor Richard Poole raised concerns about speeding on roads including Cannon Hill Lane and Martin Way. Police acknowledged the issue, stating that effective road safety requires a multi-agency approach involving engineering, enforcement, and engagement. They highlighted Operation Southstar and targeted action against car meets as examples of recent efforts. The finite nature of specialist enforcement capacity was noted.
• Lithium-ion Battery Fires: Councillor Gill Manly highlighted growing public concern regarding lithium-ion battery fires and wildfire incidents, suggesting an expert witness could discuss fire safety and resilience. It was acknowledged that these issues are being addressed through partnerships, and the Chair will raise the committee's concerns at the next Locations Board meeting.

Work Programme

The committee reviewed its upcoming work programme. Members noted that a review of communications and resident engagement remains on the reserve list. The upcoming Budget and Finance training on 6 October was also mentioned.

Work Programmes of the Scrutiny Panels

There were no specific comments made regarding the work programmes of the scrutiny panels.