The Wandsworth Safer Neighbourhood Board met on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, to discuss a range of community safety initiatives and policing updates. Key discussions included plans to invest in 25 new dedicated Metropolitan Police officers and an integrated enforcement team, and a review of ongoing policing operations across various sectors of the borough.

Investment in New Police Officers and Enforcement Team

Councillor Caroline de La Soujeole, Cabinet Member for Enforcement, announced plans to significantly enhance community safety across the borough. These plans involve an investment of nearly £5 million to fund 25 dedicated Metropolitan Police officers (22 PCs and 3 sergeants) who will be based at the town hall and are expected to be on patrol early next year. Additionally, a new Integrated Enforcement Team (IET) is planned to create a more coordinated and visible council enforcement presence. The aim is to increase visible policing, proactive action, and collaboration between council teams and partners. While the Metropolitan Police will retain command of the new officers, they will be deployed locally within Wandsworth, with flexibility for central functions. The IET will be comprised of council officers, offering greater flexibility in their deployment.

Neighbourhood Policing Updates

Superintendent Gani Rajan provided an overview of policing performance across Wandsworth. Overall crime figures showed a reduction in areas like ASB, personal robbery, and theft of motor vehicles, but there was a concerning increase in theft from vehicles, which has become a dominant challenge. Hate crime also saw a significant rise. Positive outcome rates for various crime types, including hate crime, shoplifting, and personal robbery, have improved.

Several operations were highlighted:

• Operation Reckoning: Targeted secondhand stores selling counterfeit goods.
• Operation Skyrift and Catchclaw: Focused on theft from persons and electric bikes.
• Operation Zoridum: Aimed at handling stolen goods from shops.
• Operation Cubo: Disrupted the criminal use of vehicles and e-bikes.
• Operation Wingman: Targeted retail crime and ASB, particularly around transport hubs.
• Operation Kodak: Focused on knife-enabled crime and weapon sweeps, following the murder of Jamal Coombs.
• Live Facial Recognition (LFR) Operations: Conducted in Tooting and Clapham Junction, resulting in an average of seven arrests per operation.

Inspector Ali Macpherson detailed activity in the Tooting sector, noting an increase in distraction thefts and mobile phone snatches, with intelligence-led operations leading to multiple arrests. He also highlighted efforts to tackle drug dealing, illegal e-bikes, and ASB, with positive results in reducing shoplifting and robbery.

Inspector Paul James presented on the Putney sector, reporting success in tackling illegal e-bikes, with over 100 seized and hundreds of individuals reported to court for traffic offences. He also detailed efforts to combat theft, shoplifting, and ASB, and highlighted the use of seized proceeds of crime to fund further policing.

Acting Chief Inspector Ben Jury provided an update on the Battersea sector, detailing operations targeting retail crime, knife-enabled crime, and vehicle ASB. He also highlighted the successful dispersal of large crowds and proactive work following a murder on Battersea Bridge.

Cuckooing and Exploitation

Victoria Boyle, the Antisocial Behaviour Manager for North Battersea, presented on the issue of cuckooing, defined in legislation as controlling another's home for criminal purposes. She explained the challenges in identifying and prosecuting such offences, particularly when vulnerable residents are involved. A new cuckooing protocol has been introduced, with referrals now being heard at the Community Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conference (CMARAC). A case example was shared illustrating how a multi-agency approach helped safeguard a vulnerable resident and prevent further exploitation.

Other Updates and Q&A

The Board received updates on independent stop and search monitoring, with panel members reviewing body-worn video footage and operational practice. An update on independent custody visiting highlighted thematic issues such as the treatment of vulnerable adults and children, and access to hygiene resources. Ward Panel comments and updates were also presented, with recurring themes including concerns about unsafe riding of e-bikes and e-scooters, the need for better communication between police and residents, and the desire to build on recent successes.

During the Q&A session, residents raised concerns about the scale and cost of vehicle crime, particularly the theft of radar systems and VW badges, and the impact on residents' anxiety and insurance costs. Superintendent Rajan acknowledged the issue, noting it is a Met-wide problem and that manufacturers are being engaged.

Questions were also raised about communication issues between police departments, violence against women and girls, and the effectiveness of measures to tackle dangerous motorcyclist and cyclist behaviour. Inspector James and Superintendent Rajan assured attendees that communication is improving and that efforts are being made to address these concerns.

Concerns were voiced about the visibility of police in areas like Southside Shopping Centre, with Inspector James explaining that officers often work in plain clothes to tackle crime effectively and that crime statistics do not indicate the area is unsafe, though he encouraged reporting of any incidents.

A suggestion was made to implement a knife amnesty vehicle, similar to one seen at Notting Hill Carnival, to help reduce knife crime in the borough. Councillor Mrs. Angela Graham supported this idea, and it was agreed that information would be shared to explore its feasibility.

Councillor Tony Belton raised concerns about illegal raves on council estates and the perceived division of responsibility between the police and the council. Chief Inspector Susan Darby clarified that response teams work 24/7 and that offences, if reported, would be triaged and dealt with, emphasizing the need for residents to report incidents.

A resident shared a personal experience of being knocked down by an electric bike and concerns about a cannabis factory next door, requesting to speak with Inspector Macpherson.

Concerns were also raised about groups of youths on electric bikes gathering in an alleyway near a hospital, causing intimidation to residents. Inspector James assured the resident that such issues should be reported to local teams for patrols and investigation.

Councillor Graeme Henderson inquired about the extent of cuckooing in the borough and how police and community safety teams would work together. Victoria Boyle and Inspector Macpherson explained that local neighbourhood teams, working with Project ADDER, deal with cuckooing, and that it is believed to be under-reported. They advised reporting any suspicious activity, noting that hearsay evidence can be used in court for closure orders, allowing for anonymous reporting.

Finally, Councillor Mrs. Angela Graham asked about the impact of the new Crime and Policing Act on local policing, and Superintendent Rajan explained that while the core approach remains crime-fighting, the Act's civil remedies will be used, and that the police are working smarter to deliver public safety despite funding cuts.

The meeting concluded with thanks to all attendees and a reminder of the date for the next Safer Neighbourhood Board meeting on Wednesday, 9 December.