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. The meeting's agenda also included the approval of previous minutes and a session for any other business.

Projects Update

The board was scheduled to receive an update on the progress of current projects. This included information on The Ease Project, a women-only initiative, and The Gauntlet Flight Academy, which was expected to provide its event dates. Additionally, updates were anticipated for Creative Connection at Open Havelock, with a list of scheduled events. The report pack indicated that two new projects had been proposed: one focused on creating a book for toddlers with special educational needs, and another that fit the criteria set by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). MOPAC's funding criteria and approval processes were also expected to be discussed, with a note that MOPAC intended to be stricter on application deadlines for the following year. The board was also to consider a suggestion to invite chairs from other Safer Neighbourhood Boards (SNBs) to an Ealing meeting to share best practices.

Police Update and Q&A

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to a police update and a question-and-answer session. The report pack indicated that Ealing Town Centre remained a tier one venue under Operation Martello, with ongoing efforts to combat crime and anti-social behaviour, including plans for a Live Facial Recognition (LFR) deployment. The board was to be informed about the appointment of Sergeant Chrissy Hardy as a specialist community liaison officer and increased patrols around faith premises following recent incidents. Updates were also expected on operations addressing school-related social media conflicts, upcoming religious holidays, and the potential impact of international events on the local community, particularly given Ealing's significant Iranian population.

The police were also scheduled to provide information on operational matters, including the reduction of front office services at Acton and Hayes Police Stations, and the increased workload for local neighbourhood teams. The report pack highlighted the successful delivery of Eid Chaand Raat, detailing police involvement and enforcement activities which resulted in several arrests and dispersal orders. The Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, a set of Home Office targets, was to be reviewed, with Ealing reportedly exceeding London-wide averages.

Specific operational successes were to be detailed, including arrests in Acton related to drug offences, a reduction in vehicle-related fatalities in Acton through targeted patrols, and the issuance of a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) to a persistent street drinker. The apprehension 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 on the agenda. Further updates were expected on days of action in Greenford, investigations into indecent exposure offences along the canal network, and the commencement of police outreach strategies like Coffee with a Copper events.

In Southall, the board was to hear about an arrest for drug supply leading to a custodial sentence, arrests in connection with criminal damage to minibuses, and an arrest for numerous shoplifting offences. The closure of a property linked to drug use and rough sleeping was also to be reported. Operation Overvolt, focused on enforcing regulations against speeding bikes and e-scooters, was to be discussed, along with custodial sentences for breaches of Criminal Behaviour Orders and armed robbery. The removal of abandoned vehicles in Southall and the arrest of a suspect wanted for rape and kidnapping by Dorset Police were also to be covered. The recovery of a significant quantity of Class A drugs and ongoing work with organisations like Recovery Intervention Services of Ealing (RISE) to support individuals experiencing homelessness and substance misuse were also scheduled for discussion. The report pack indicated that local police had acquired a vape testing machine, leading to seizures of illegal vapes and cigarettes in Southall.

The police were also expected to clarify points regarding a reduction in local authority liaison officer posts, the deployment of Public Order Support Units during Chaand Raat, the upcoming introduction of electric bikes and drones for policing, and the rationale behind leaving police station gates open overnight. The use of Met Engage as a platform for public suggestions and the expected response time for email enquiries were also to be addressed.

Any Other Business

Under this agenda item, the board was scheduled to discuss any other matters raised by members. It was noted that Acting Superintendent Herring would reassure the board about plans for ward officer numbers, and a request was to be made to include the Street Safe App as a future agenda item.

Date of Next Meeting

The date of the next meeting was to be confirmed.