Havering Community Fighting Crime Event

Our Community Crime Fighting event for Havering at Frances Bardesley school was attended by many local residents.

For those that were able to attend, they heard updates from the Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, senior leaders from Havering Police as well as from a front line Sergeant and Inspector. 

In Havering, we continue to tackle motor vehicle crime, burglary, violence and shoplifting. We work closely with Havering council and many other partnership organisations.  Achievements include

Serious violence involving weapons reduced by 15% across the borough

Burglaries and street robbery both fell sharply – with 120 fewer homes broken into and nearly one in three fewer personal thefts reported

Reports of violence against women & girls are up 10% with around 180 extra victims coming forward compared to last year.

During the course of the evening we received some fantastic questions about concerns that matter to Havering residents around tackling motor vehicle crime, partial closure of the front counter at Romford Police Station and Stop and Search.

Established in 2020, a small group of officers have been funded by the local authority. Named The Havering Joint Taskforce their focus on residential burglary, vehicle theft and drug supply has seen them since inception:

Arrest over 1000 subjects with a 61% successful charging rate

Recover over 1000 lost or stolen vehicles with an estimated value of £6 million. 

Stop and search over of 800 subjects linked criminality with a 40% positive success rate.

Romford Police station front counter will remain open every day, but with reduced hours.  This will mean that during night time hours we will be able to redeploy police officers into the areas that need us most.

Romford town centre teams have made over 500 arrests in the last year thanks to their robust and pro-active approach to policing including using Stop and Search.  The team continue to work closely with security at the bars, local authority and Romford BID to make it a safer environment and safe place to visit.

Our approach to policing Havering is in partnership with organisations.  But our community safety teams cannot do it alone and we need the public’s help.  You can help by reporting crime or suspicious behaviour, so we can put our resources in those areas that need us the most. You can also help to shape policing in your area by joining your local Ward Panel and meet regularly.

If you would like to find out more about your local police team or Ward Panel, you can do so by visiting our new platform Met Engage at www.metengage.co.uk

Following the event, Havering’s Acting Chief Inspector Charlie Routley said

“I'd like to thank all Havering residents who joined us at last night's Community Crime Fighting event and shared their thoughtful questions and concerns. Your engagement plays a vital role in shaping how we police and keep our communities safe. 

I am immensely proud of the continued hard work and dedication of our local police officers, ordinary people doing extraordinary things day in day out. 

We look forward to building on our strong partnerships with Havering Council, local organisations and residents to make Havering an even safer place to live, work and visit.”

The MO7 Interceptors relished the opportunity to speak to councillors and members of the community at the event, showcasing their vehicles, tactics and equipment. 

Sergeant Nick Wenborn from MO7 Interceptors said

“We have a long standing relationship with the borough and are currently deployed there as an asset; battling vehicle and organised crime and working alongside pro-active units and cross border partners on ANPR Operations. We have even secured our third ride along with a councillor and are looking forward to future events!” 

Special thanks to MO7 Interceptors, TSG, Met central Fraud Team, Met CSE Team, Catch 22, Met Forensic Officers,  Met Protective Security Operations, Havering Police Cadets, Havering Council, Youth Unity, Havering Neighbourhood Watch Association