The Ealing Safer Neighbourhood Board was scheduled to receive updates on ongoing projects and hear from the police regarding crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough. Discussions were also planned on the future of Safer Neighbourhood Boards and their funding.

Projects Update

The board was scheduled to receive an update on the progress of three ongoing projects: The Ease Project, which focuses on women, the Gauntlet Flight Academy, and Creative Connection at Open Havelock. Additionally, two new projects were to be presented that fit the criteria set by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). These included a book for toddlers with Special Educational Needs. A key point of discussion was the potential shift of Safer Neighbourhood Boards (SNBs) to be under the control of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), which could impact their funding and independent ability to sponsor projects. The report pack indicated that MOPAC intended to be stricter with funding rules in the coming year, with no applications accepted after the closing date. The board was also to consider an invitation to host chairs from other SNBs to share Ealing's successful operational and engagement model with the police.

Police Update and Q&A

The board was scheduled to hear from police representatives, including Inspector Leigh Ballard, regarding crime and anti-social behaviour in Ealing. Key areas of discussion were expected to include the ongoing work to counter crime and anti-social behaviour in Ealing Town Centre, which is a designated tier one venue under Operation Martello. The report pack indicated that a Live Facial Recognition (LFR) deployment was planned for the area. The update was also to cover increased patrols around local faith premises following incidents in Golders Green, and efforts to address school-related conflicts on social media.

The police were expected to provide information on upcoming religious holidays and the impact of local elections. The report pack highlighted that the MPS was monitoring the conflict between the United States and Iran due to Ealing's significant Iranian resident population. Reductions in the front offices of Acton and Hayes Police Stations were noted, as were increased workloads for local neighbourhood teams and reductions in licensing and anti-social behaviour officers.

The report pack detailed the successful delivery of Eid Chaand Raat, with police working alongside the MO6 Public Order Department, which resulted in nine arrests, 15 Section 35 dispersal orders, and six Section 59 warnings with vehicle seizures. The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, a set of Home Office targets, was also to be discussed, with Ealing reportedly achieving high compliance rates.

Specific policing activities were scheduled to be highlighted, including arrests in Acton for drug offences, a reduction in vehicle fatalities through targeted patrols, and the issuance of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) to a persistent street drinker. The arrest of a prolific shoplifter on Greenford Broadway, disruption of drug supply lines in Northolt, and the closure of an address associated with anti-social behaviour and drug use were also to be covered. Two days of action in Greenford were planned to locate outstanding suspects, leading to arrests. A series of indecent exposure offences along the canal network were to be discussed, with the offender subject to court conditions.

The police outreach strategy, including Coffee with a Copper events, was to be mentioned. In Southall, the report pack indicated an arrest for possession of drugs with intent to supply, leading to a custodial sentence, and arrests in connection with criminal damage to Ealing minibuses. A suspect arrested for 54 shoplifting offences and the closure of a property linked to drug use and rough sleeping were also to be discussed.

Operation Overvolt, focusing on enforcement against speeding bikes and e-scooters, was to be detailed, including seizures and prosecutions. Custodial sentences for breaches of Criminal Behaviour Orders and armed robbery were also to be reported. The removal of 178 abandoned vehicles in Southall was to be noted. The report pack also mentioned the arrest of a male suspected of rape and kidnapping, who was handed over to Dorset Police, and the recovery of a significant quantity of Class A drugs. The ongoing collaboration with Recovery Intervention Services of Ealing (RISE), charities, and Project Adda Officers to support individuals experiencing homelessness and substance misuse was to be highlighted. The acquisition of a vape testing machine and subsequent seizures of illegal vapes and cigarettes in Southall were also on the agenda.

The police were expected to clarify that there were no plans to reduce the number of officers assigned to any ward. The use of Public Order Support (PSU) units during Eid Chaand Raat was to be explained, with the majority of officers being locally based within Ealing. The introduction of electric bikes for policing and the deployment of drones across London boroughs were also to be discussed, though implementation timelines were yet to be determined. The report pack indicated that police station gates were occasionally left open overnight to allow individuals to exit safely. Met Engage was identified as a key platform for gathering public suggestions, with an expectation for Ealing officers to respond to email enquiries within 48 hours.

Any Other Business

A member of the Board was scheduled to raise a point regarding the Street Safe App, and Acting Superintendent Herring was expected to reassure the Board that there were no known plans to reduce the number of officers assigned to any ward.