Ward Sergeant's Update

Ward Sergeant's Update

Sometimes I do wonder if a week off is worth it, as it already feels like a distant memory. It’s been a busy week getting back up to speed, working through last week’s backlog alongside the new demands that have come in over this week. That said, during my absence, the team have shown great commitment and worked exceptionally hard, for which I am very grateful.

I thought I’d share some figures today, particularly as in recent weeks the team have often been met with light-hearted comments such as, “We never see you around here,” “You’re a sight for sore eyes,” and “It’s good to see you out and about for once.” These are comments I fully understand and I genuinely appreciate where they are coming from.

Belsize Ward

Covers roughly 0.40 square miles or 1.048 square kilometres or 1,048,000 square meters.

Has approximately 60 names streets.

Roughly 300+ businesses

Approximately 6000 households

Around 13,000 residents.

Gospel Oak Ward

Covers roughly 0.30 square miles or 0.78 Square kilometres or 782,800 square meters.

Has approximately 50 names streets.

Roughly 250+ businesses

Approximately 5000 households

Around 12,000 residents.

(All rough figures obtained from Google AI and Copilot AI – other AI and search tools are available)

Belsize NPT comprises of…

1 x Sergeant (Shared with Gospel Oak)

2 x Police Constable

2 x Police Community Support Officers

Gospel Oak NPT comprises of…

1 x Sergeant (Shared with Belsize)

2 x Police Constable

2 x Police Community Support Officers

Both teams operate on a mixed shift pattern, averaging forty hours per week. During their core duties, officers from Belsize and Gospel Oak Wards are aligned on the same shifts. However, other policing units also cover the area from time to time and the emergency response teams are on duty 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

I hope this provides some context as to why your neighbourhood policing teams are not always visible on your street, at your business, outside your home, or engaging with you in person. As I always say, we can’t be everywhere, but we can be anywhere.

Here’s what we've been up to the past two weeks.

1 x female arrested for assault.

4 x individuals searched for drugs.

1 x individual given a community resolution for possession of nitrous oxide.

Warrant conducted, with a large quantity of Class A drugs (Cocaine) being recovered and one female arrested for PWITS.

We’ve identified five individuals that have been shoplifting on the wards, they are now wanted by police and operations are in place to locate and arrest them.

Over 40km of foot patrols completed.

Two days conducting plain clothed and high visibility operations, targeting shoplifting and theft offences.

22 x Live investigations that include – Harassment, Assault, Criminal Damage , Dog dangerously out of control, drug related offences.

Officers abstracted to assist staffing up the Emergency Response Team and AID requirements.

The team and I hope you have a great weekend

All the best and stay safe

Mark

Reply to this message

Message Sent By
Mark McCann
(Metropolitan Police, Sergeant, Gospel Oak)