West Dulwich Safer Neighbourhood Panel: Notice of Meetings and Minutes of meeting on September 17th

West Dulwich Safer Neighbourhood Panel: Notice of Meetings and Minutes of meeting on September 17th

The next West Dulwich Safer Neighbourhood Panel Meeting will be the AGM in January. Date and Venue have yet to be confirmed.

There will be a Debrief on Brockwell Live on Tuesday 10 November at Peabody Rosendale Community Hall, @ Peabody Cottages off Rosendale Road S24 9DR. 

The focus be on improving the experience of local residents with regard to any future events. The objectives include identifying who holds responsibility for the various adverse impact mitigation actions that can be put in place and what needs to be done in advance to support such actions. This event will be of particular interest to those on the streets affected this year by parking and related anti-social behaviour so please feel free to notify neighbours and e-mail wdspnsecretary@gmail.com to receive details including the agenda. .

The following Meet the Police events have been notified: 

Tue 13th October,10 -11 am Cafe Salva 103 A Rosendale Road.

10-11am Wed 28th October West Norwood Library 1-5 Norwood High Street

12-1pm Wed 28th October The Wire Room (a cafe by workspace) 40 Martell Road London

Useful Contact Details (for sharing intelligence not reporting crime) 

West Dulwich Safer Neighbourhood Team email - WestDulwich@met.police.uk

West Dulwich Safer Neighbourhood Panel Secretary - wdsnpsecretary@gmail.com

PC Ruth Stringer -ruth.stringer@met.police.uk

PCSO Jimmy Sinclair - Jimmy.Sinclair@met.police.uk

Station2Station - Charlotte Ashworth charlotte@stationtostation.london

Police Speeding Team - mo.deen@met.police.uk

Lambeth NW queries -development@lambethnhw.co.uk

London Fire Brigade -  Home Fire Safety | London Fire Brigade. In certain circumstances use of the Safety Checker can lead to an on person home fire safety visit

Minutes of West Dulwich  Safer Neighbourhood Panel Meeting Thursday 17th September

1 Update on actions from last meeting (not already communicated)

Action 11-PCSO JS – A4 Flyer delivered as part of police report 

Action 16- AJ- progress connection with local Primary Care Network and ask for useful info to be published on Thriving Norwood Pages. – Carried Forward New Action 1

Outstanding actions for Cllr JC  and MA moved  to the Councillors update section and CA to the Station to Station section. PC’s from Brockwell Live police team took an action to be at this meeting. This was separated out to a different meeting to enable those from other affected SNPs to be present. New Action 2 – SH to finalise date for Brockwell Live Review and invite appropriate people – Meeting has been confirmed as 10th November 

2 Police report and crime stats – full report shared with minutes

Stats shared in advance of the meeting. PCSO JS  thanked PCSO Carl McClean who has now moved onto Gipsy Hill Ward. Police resource further limited by members of team being abstracted or on restricted duties.   However there should be a new PCSO on the team by the end of the month. 

The team reported successful court outcomes for various offenses, including shoplifting and theft, though residents expressed frustration regarding the severity of sentencing for prolific offenders. - Residents expressed significant concern regarding a known offender, Daniel Benton, linked to parcel thefts and shoplifting at Tesco. CA noted that while he is well-known to the police, prosecution challenges exist.

New Action 3 – PC AW/PCSO JS – To review situation regarding Daniel Benton and  provide an update on planned action

New Action 4 – All – If logging a crime involving Daniel Benton make sure you state his name in your crime report and encourage other people to do the same.

•  ST – asked about the thieves on Peabody Estate – PCSO JS responded that there is an operation focussing on the address at the moment. Reported – this is directly linked to cuckooing see below.

•  A separate issue was raised regarding a man named Gidaeon who has repeatedly threatened staff at the Rosendale Pub with a blade.
New Action 5 -  Police to follow up with the Rosendale Pub and identify what support can be provided. To circulate picture provided by KS to try to identify individual.

•  EH reported an incident that occurred in the playground on St Vincents Estate on 16th September between 4-6pm. A man parked up in a mini-van and tried to encourage children to go with him using sweets   It was reported to the police and to the safeguarding team at Lambeth.  Information about this was sent to parents by Elmwood School but doesn’t seem to have been shared with other local schools.  This may be due to the removal of the dedicated schools officer
New Action 6 Cllr TP to establish what the process is in the council when incidents are reported to the Lambeth Safeguarding Team regards informing SNT teams and Ward Councillors, schools and any other relevant parties.

New Action 7 – PC RS and PCSO JS to check up on what has been reported and what actions are being taken with regards man at St Vincents playground.  Look at if any other communications are required to other local schools.

•  CA – Interested in safety on the school run , has been trying to get an appointment with school head to discuss. PV asked who the contact is in the police now there is no dedicated schools officer for the ward. 

New Action 8 -  Police/PV to confirm who covers duties that the schools officer previously did for Gipsy Hill and West Dulwich wards. 

•  JBA asked who to contact to get access to CCTV footage covering fly tipping in Windsor Close which has been happening regularly for three months, and whether a crime reference is needed.  The answer was that this should be logged straight with council – Cllr TP to send JBA link.  PC JS said he would follow this up.
New Action 9 - Cllr TP to send JBA link of where to request CCTV footage

New Action 10 – PCSO JS to follow up on fly tipping  Windsor Close

•  GB – mentioned a discussion with a PC/PCSO on activity in a specific business location (Knights Hill Ward), The police are aware and CA is working to get a warrant for the place but needs more evidence.

New Action 11 – All If you have anything to report on  businesses or individuals that are receiving stolen goods contact CA  charlotte@stationtostation.london

•  PL – asked for an update on the theft of the memorial from the Peabody Estate (linked to metal content)

New Action 12 – PCSO JS to provide update on the investigation into theft of Peabody war memorial

•  EH raised vandalism on Elmworth Grove Sunday 13th into Monday 14th Sept. 10-20 cars had wing mirrors knocked off. Some were  unscrewed.  It didn’t seem to be targeted. Makes all random. Have there been any similar occurrences on the ward? PCSO JS wasn’t aware of this incident but confirmed there was car vandalism on a couple of roads in the St. Martin’s Ward recently - but that was car doors being keyed.

New Action 13 – PCSO JS – to look into this incident of wing mirror damage on Elmworth Grove  and double check if there is any correlation with other reports of vandalism.

•  PL raised concerns about the advertised “Meet a Copper” sessions with no police turning up to these, that they are often in very public places which may deter people attending and that they should be in places easier for people to meet.  Other residents shared the same experience of turning up to events and no police being present also that the locations advertised were unaware of the event or if it had been cancelled.  PCSO responded that the purpose of choosing public locations meant the sessions doubled up as a deterrent to crime as the police presence was apparent.  CA agreed that this was important for the Norwood shops. PC RS apologised that people had turned up to events where no police were there. SH Added that where police had been present they’d been pivotal in linking residents with a lot of information with police team.

New Action 14 -  Police to review management of “Cuppa with a Copper” meetings:

New Action 15- PCSO JS – to try and set up andorganise  in-house speed monitoring on Rosendale Road

3 Cuckooing Chestnut Grove, Damascene Walk, Peabody Estate, Rosendale Road 

There are a group of individuals known to frequent 5 properties, 4 of which are in West Dulwich  ward.   All 4 houses are owned by Housing Associations but not the same one.  The group are known to be involved in various criminal behaviour related to drug use, including shoplifting, parcel theft, selling stolen goods.  There are no current closure orders on any of the properties and the team is working to collect the evidence necessary for full closure orders for all four. 

Additional evidence for the other locations will help build all  cases.

New Action 16 – Report anything seen at the 4/5 addresses to support police – direct email for PC RS is Ruth.Stringer@met.police.uk

•  KS – Highlighted that there are a number of new faces joining the gangs who hang out at these places – PCSO JS said he’d noticed the same

•  MC – Asked whether there was effort was being  made to target the people in control of these groups/ providing the drugs  - PCRS – Said that she agrees that it would be good to target the people at the top but due to resources they are limited in what they can do.

New Action 17 – PS AA – to report back as to whether there is any way to any way to identify and address persons in  control of these groups?

New Action 18 – PCSO JS – to report back on the approximate timescale for full closure order on Damascene Walk

If a burglary or robbery is reported (even if linked to the individuals from these groups) a separate team (The Burglary and Robbery Investigation Team –BRIT) conducts the investigation. Information can be shared amongst the teams but different officers will lead the investigation.

4 Anti Social behaviour Rosendale, Hawarden, Guernsey (update on actions from recent meeting)

It was clarified that the key street drinkers are a distinct group from those linked to the 5 cuckooing locations. They know each other and interact but getting closure orders on the cuckoo properties will not address the issue. Other deterrent routes need to be identified.

New Action 21– SH – To initiate a follow up meeting regarding Street Drinking given clarification.

New Action 22 – Cllr TP to speak to Peabody about urination+ on site with what can be done to deter

5 Councilor update

Cllr TP Raised the question about how much of the ASB is relates to Substance abuse.  And if it is what actions are being taken to address this in terms of rehabilitation? 

MA responded that the council have teams that go to high drug use areas and hospitals to engage with drug users and provide support.  Whenever a Community Protection Warning/Notice CPW/CPN has been issued there will be investigations into positive ways to resolve the situation, including identifying relevant medical practitioners, social workers and courses of treatment. This work is done by either council or police.

PCSO JS added details of project ADDER (Addiction, Diversion, Disruption, Enforcement and Recovery). It is voluntary for people to sign up.  There is also Streetlink  that can support people out of homelessness if this is the catalyst for their crime. Although majority of people turn down these offers.  CA added that if people refuse support such as project ADDER – this can look bad in front of a magistrate.

Cllr TP will be the Safe Havens champion for Lambeth

Cllr TP Raised Concerns that the cycle path works are having leading to congestion and speeding on Chancellor Road and other side roads.   He has been following up with Council officers  - but they advised that it is only police who can deal with speeding.

There was another Thames Water leak which is delaying works.  He’s followed up with TW about a more strategic approach rather than the piece meal fixes to the regular leaks on the road.

New Action  23 SH to put details in email for MA - Complete 

New Action  24 MA to follow up email on Epicormic Growth blocking visibility for drivers

Cllr JC – Action from last meeting to confirm status of safety audit for Lovelace Road/Rosendale Road Junction.     The update she received following her “Members Request” has been shared but situation is  still unclear. The Service Improvement Team confirmed that Sam Dillion had inspected the site and  that the proposed changes to the extents around Lovelace Road, as outlined within the ODDR, will be raised during the first meeting with the newly appointed Cabinet Member once they are in post. Do we know what changes have been proposed and whether the member is aware of them and are they being progressed if so under what timescale? CF 

New Action  25 - Cllr JC – To provide update on status of proposed changes to Lovelace Road/Rosendale Road

•  PG Raised concerns about island on cycle lane  and suggested the signage that has been removed from other crossings should be put on this to alleviate the problems of cones being moved.  He also raised the issue of curb stones moving. 

Cllr TP confirmed that the island is it is temporary and that the contractors are aware of the moving curb stones but believe this is due to works traffic so are waiting until project is live to further assess.

New Action 26 – SH to get a link to safety audit and share

New Action 27 – All to report any accident that occurs on Rosendale Road and explain the importance of doing so to others.

•  CA – Loud vehicles on the roads at night. PV said this is a Lambeth wide issue. There is a common problem with unsilenced motor bikes and other vehicles.  There was a request for people to log dates and times of problem.  MA communicated that he and the policing operation had carried our 2 operations in the last 6 weeks targeting Waterloo  where the vehicles start off from -12-16 motor bikes were seized. 

New Action 28 PV to  identify the best place/way to log info regards loud vehicles (MA suggested 101)

6 Council Officer Actions  

Action 4  - CF 

New Action 29 MA - to confirm if Call Angela training is mandatory in Lambeth for all new premises licence applications. Do we have figures of number/percentages of premises that have completed training?

Action 8 MA- To confirm how many tow trucks are allocated to support traffic enforcement during lBrockwell Live events - also is there a process set up where vehicles to be moved will be prioritised based on impact.  If so, details of this appreciated - if not can something be set up – It was 1 truck no details shared of prioritisation process.

Action 15 MA – Update from licence team re street drinkers on Rosendale opposite Peabody Estate – superseded by other actions from St Drinker Meeting

Action 20  - CF New Action 30- MA - to follow up requests for Lambeth's website to be updated to correctly reflect no cold call zone names and boundaries.  Also to confirm what the process is for replacement of no cold calling zone signs. .  Also how do we get new signs?, How does the council enforce no Cold Calling Zones?.

7. Fire brigade update- Discussed their Open Day @Norwood Fire Station Saturday 19th

New Action  31 SH to share link to website how to get a fire assessment

8. Station2Station update 

Action 17 – CA to encourage the people who have given the info to her to report it officially and copy info to the SNT email address - westdulwich@met.police.uk - Complete

Station to Station's shoplifting prevention scheme

https://stationtostation.london/forensic-marking-of-commonly-stolen-goods/

Supt Gallagher and Sgts Bird and Hall are now assisting Station to Station with the project by providing extra resource to help with the marking. Our joint aim is to catch an off-licence selling stolen goods, which in turn will trigger a licensing review, and potentially put the owners out of business. This will be a powerful deterrent to all other off-licenses doing the same thing. 

As we all know, our prisons are full, the CJS is creaking and there are insufficient services to support drug addicts - the result is that even when a shoplifter is caught and prosecuted, they are out doing the exact same thing, sometimes within 24 hours. By penalising the receivers of their stolen goods, we can make an area unappealing to thieves needing to quickly satisfy their drug habit and force them to steal elsewhere. If the scheme works, it could be replicated in BID areas within Lambeth and perhaps even Southwark too.

Police can enter an off licence at anytime with no warrant 

New Action 32 All – If you see people going into a shop with a big bag and leaving with and empty bag – share info time place etc with CA  or SH – then this info can be shared with the teams checking premises for stolen goods

New Action 33 CA  to speak to WD Tesco who are also suffering from lots of thefts

9 Priorities for next quarter and actions to achieve these

Previous Priorities  Burglary, Vehicle crime including cycle theft, Antisocial Behaviour inc parcel theft)

Given the limited resources and the high level of issues being linked to ASB our priorities for this quarter are:

It was discussed that with Christmas approaching a focus on burglary will also be key and that it is important that people can walk the streets and feel safe.

10. Safer Neighbourhood Panel Terms of Reference

We need to bring the SNP into line with the official Ward Panel Handbook with a membership, area and non geographic topic ambassadors, agreed observers (including Councillors, Council Officials, Housing Associations, Business Improvement District or equivalent, GPs and Charities) and an invitation list for public meetings. 

The ward already had a Chair, Vice Chair and Secretary but needs to agree Area Ambassadors plus non-geographic Ambassadors for Youth,  LGBTQ+, Multi-Faith and Business.

Ambassadors for the following  areas were agreed:

Secretary can put you in touch with your area rep

The below road/Area still need ambassadors

Others have been approached as Area Ambassadors to be co-opted if they agree. It is intended to approach Rathbone, High Trees and local Schools and Youth Groups for one or more Youth Ambassadors. Volunteers would be welcome as additional Business or Faith Ambassadors or as LGBTQ+ Ambassadors.     

11. Neighbourhood watch Update

West Dulwich currently has 161 registered participants in 11 groups with named co-ordinators (Carson Road  3, Chancellor Grove 3, Chestnut Road 34, Croxted Road 20, Dalmore, Eastmearn and Tulsemere 11, Idmiston Chatsworth way and Ardlui 10,  Lancaster Avenue and Lavenrgo 4, Lings Coppice 10, Lovelace Road 7,  Rosendale Gardens 4, Whytefield Estate 11)  and in 6 lapsed or potential groups without co-ordinators (Birkbeck Triangle 3, Clive Road 16, Peabody Estate 5, Robson Road 1, Rosendale Road Central 4, Trinity Rise 5. 

All Neighbourhood Watch Groups are expected to provide representatives to attend Safer Neighbourhood Panel meetings.

Lambeth does not yet have a Neighbourhood Watch Association to support local groups via Multi-Scheme Administrators (MSAs) and Area Co-ordinators for each ward. 

West Dulwich Ward has the second highest number of participants (behind Waterloo and South Bank 168 and ahead of Streatham St Leonards 136). It is therefore expected to help lead the creation of the Lambeth Associations (providing a local Ward Model linked to the SNP) and volunteers are being sought accordingly.

The MSA for West Dulwich (who approves new groups and their co-ordinators) is the SNP secretary. The acting co-ordinator is the current SNP Chair but it is intended that the roles will have been split by the time of the next SNP meeting,   

New Action 34 GB to review guidance on reporting crime with customers

12. Date and Place of next meeting

The date of the next quarterly SNP meeting which will be the AGM is still TBC

There will be a meeting focusing on the Brockwell Park Live Events on Tuesday 10th November