The Wandsworth Safer Neighbourhood Board was scheduled to discuss crime statistics, policing strategies, and community safety initiatives at its meeting on 9 December 2025. The board was expected to review data on Total Notifiable Offences¹ (TNOs), burglary, robbery, vehicle crime, and violence against individuals, as well as updates from ward panel chairs and questions for the Superintendent for Wandsworth. The meeting was also scheduled to include updates on stop and search and custody procedures.

Safer Neighbourhood Data Pack

The Safer Neighbourhood Board Data Pack was included in the agenda. It contained crime statistics from the Metropolitan Police website, covering the period from August to October 2025. Data included:

• Burglary (all)
• Robbery
• Theft of Motor Vehicle
• Theft from Motor Vehicle
• Sexual Offences
• Violence Against the Person

The data pack also contained the results of a Met-wide public confidence survey.

Questions for the Superintendent for Wandsworth

The Safer Neighbourhood Board was scheduled to discuss questions submitted by Stacey Smith, Furzedown Safer Neighbourhood Ward Panel Chair, regarding policing in Wandsworth. The questions and answers covered the impact of the closure of Lavender Hill Police Station, the increase in personal thefts, and violence against women and girls.

In response to the question about the closure of Lavender Hill Police Station, Superintendent Gani Rajan stated that he did not anticipate a significant impact on residents in Furzedown, citing low daily report numbers at the station. He outlined alternative reporting methods, including telephone services, online forms, and video conferencing.

Regarding the increase in personal thefts, Superintendent Gani Rajan detailed preventative measures, such as school visits, community engagement, and CCTV deployment. He also mentioned the close collaboration between Wandsworth Council and the police, including the use of CCTV cars.

In response to concerns about violence against women and girls, Superintendent Gani Rajan highlighted initiatives such as Operation Rana, spiking patrols, and the Safe Space initiative. He also mentioned the use of live facial recognition technology to target wanted offenders.

Ward Panel Chair Comments and Updates

The meeting was scheduled to include updates from Ward Panel Chairs. These updates provided insights into local issues and concerns from various wards within Wandsworth.

Jan Forbes, Battersea Park Ward Panel Chair, reported on community concerns about dangerous cycling and the panel's efforts to address the issue.

Marlene Price, Falconbrook Ward Panel Chair, noted residents' concerns about dogs not being on leads in Battersea Park and anti-social behaviour during events in York Gardens.

Stacey Smith, Furzedown Ward Panel Chair, reported a reduction in robberies but highlighted concerns about thefts involving younger suspects and victims. She also mentioned ongoing issues with cyclists and moped users in the Eardley Road/Blegborough Road/Leverson Street area.

Antoon Hollants, Wandsworth Town Ward Panel Chair, noted that residents' primary concern was anti-social behaviour, particularly drug dealing and consumption near South Thames College.

Other Items

• The minutes from the meeting held on 8 October 2025 were included in the agenda. During that meeting, Councillor Graeme Henderson, Cabinet Member for Health, mentioned the deployment of CCTV cars and the addition of Community Safety Officers in Battersea.
• Martha Vaughan, Independent Custody Visitors Lead, was scheduled to provide a custody update. The update stated that there are concerns about proposed changes to custody suites in London, including moving experienced custody sergeants out of Met detention.
• Andrew Healey, Stop and Search Lead, was scheduled to provide a Stop and Search Update, but no written update was provided.