Extra police power for Ravenscourt Park

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Ravenscourt Park now has a Safer Neighbourhoods Team, as the council’s £1 million investment to fast-track the new police teams across the borough bears fruit.

The council’s funding has enabled the Addison and Ravenscourt Park areas and their surrounds to get a dedicated, permanent police team far more quickly than other parts of London.

The funding means Hammersmith & Fulham is among the top boroughs in London for coverage by Safer Neighboourhoods Teams.

Chief Inspector John Sutherland said the SNTs were proving a winning formula in tackling and preventing crime and reducing the fear of crime in the community.

“Having officers patrolling not only works to deter the criminals, it makes our residents feel reassured about their safety. These teams patrol their local area and get to know the local people and problems.

“We’d encourage residents to get in touch with their local team and get to know them, to come up and say hello if they see them on the street, or to report crime.”

Areas which have no dedicated Safer Neighbourhoods Team, including Avonmore & Brook Green, Munster, Palace Riverside, and Fulham Reach are covered by local uniformed police and specialist officers in the drug and burglary squads and, subject to funding, can look forward to a team of their own later in the year.

Councillor Reg McLaughlin, cabinet member for social inclusion, said the community had welcomed the increase of police on the streets.

“Councillors were lobbied hard by local people to deal with crime and antisocial behaviour in local neighbourhoods. As a result of this, we made the commitment to tackle these problems and provided funding to fast track this programme.

“Now our commitment is paying off, with the community showing overwhelming support for the new Safer Neighbourhood teams. Where they have been established, evidence shows that it drives down crime.

“Local people tell us it is good to see police back on our streets, they can talk with local officers on the streets or at meetings and feel safer. We believe this is working to improve the quality of life for residents of our borough.”

 

January 23, 2006