The Safer Neighbourhood Board met on Monday 13 April 2026 to discuss MOPAC funding, receive a police briefing, and hear ward updates. Decisions were made regarding the application process for MOPAC funding and actions were agreed to address issues raised in ward updates.

MOPAC Funding

The Board discussed the application process for the new round of MOPAC funding, which opened on 30 March 2026 and closes on 30 May 2026. Ward Chairs were encouraged to share this information with their respective wards to maximise applications, as the funding is intended to support community projects and charities. There was a general agreement that, despite potential delays in fund distribution, applying for MOPAC funding remains beneficial for community initiatives. The importance of evaluating previously funded projects was also highlighted. Discussions also touched upon potentially lowering the maximum bid amount, with suggestions ranging between £3,000 and £4,000 to ensure more equitable distribution of the approximately £17,000 in available funding.

Police Briefing

Detective Superintendent Marco Bardetti provided an update on current policing activities, crime trends, and operational plans. He outlined preparations for the upcoming elections on 7 May 2026, including security arrangements. The briefing also covered broader London-wide issues, such as the recent attack on a Hatzolah ambulance base, and detailed a large-scale operation to provide community reassurance and manage hate crime incidents. Locally, reductions in town centre crimes like shoplifting, robberies, and car-related offences were reported, alongside positive information on response times, detection rates, and targeted approaches to repeat offenders. Operational updates included the transition back to borough-based policing, with ongoing assessments of crime levels and resource deployment. Strategies for addressing hotspots and cross-border issues, including covert surveillance and facial recognition, were also discussed.

Ward Updates

Several ward updates were provided, highlighting specific local concerns. In Ponders End, a persistent issue of drug dealing by a gang of men under the flats at College Court was reported, with the situation described as worsening. Inspector Richard Lee was tasked with speaking to the relevant officers about this. In Southgate, it was reported that Albanian mafia members were present in the ward, and concerns were raised about officers not being briefed before attending a ward meeting. For Bush Hill Park, it was noted that no sergeant had attended the last ward meeting, and crime statistics had not been provided for the third time, with only a newsletter received. Inspector Richard Lee was again tasked with addressing these issues with the officers. It was also highlighted that some Neighbourhood Watch groups have transitioned to WhatsApp groups, and it was deemed important to ensure their representation on the panel.

Matters Arising and Action Points

During the discussion of matters arising from the previous meeting, it was noted that the Sergeant for Town Ward had still not made contact, despite this being raised previously. Additionally, the Ward Chair for Highfield Ward was still listed on the agenda despite a previous concern about their continuous failure to attend meetings. Inspector Richard Lee was assigned the action to speak to the Sergeant for Highfield Ward.

Chair's Update

Dionne John, Vice-Chair, reported on attending a recent LCB2 meeting with other borough Safer Neighbourhood Boards (SNBs). This meeting focused on standardising roles and responsibilities and sharing best practices across all SNBs. Glenn Breslin, Chair, provided an update on the uncertainty surrounding the future of the SNB due to an ongoing assessment by the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC). However, he confirmed that the Board had received funding for another year.

Any Other Business

Janet Marshall of Upper Edmonton reminded the Board that due to the upcoming elections, Councillors would not be permitted to hold the position of Ward Chair. Dionne John appealed to Ward Chairs to complete information relating to their wards to populate the website, with a link to be resent. A further feedback form will be created and sent to Ward Chairs to report any issues or concerns, which will then be taken to senior police management. Dionne John also suggested inviting external speakers to the panel and reviewing past projects from the last two years, given the Board's grant agreement with these projects.

Dates of Future Meetings

The Board noted that the dates of future meetings would be confirmed following the Annual Council meeting on Wednesday 27 May 2026.