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Here’s a quick update on anti-social behaviour locally. We know it can be distressing, but we’re working closely with partners to make the area safer and support residents.
Hello All,
Please find below the minutes from the last West Heath ward panel meeting.
Held in The Vine Christian Community Church, Axminster Crescent
Police Representatives: Superintendent Jones Sargeant Balastrini, PC Pruden and PCSO Frost
After Ward Panel Chair welcomed everyone to the Meeting, Superintendent Jones introduced himself and provided a brief introduction. The Police identified the Expiring Priorities and recent Police actions viz.
• Drug Dealing/Drug Use: The Police conduct both high visibility and plain clothes patrols, focusing on areas of concern, including The Pantiles and open spaces, use stop and search powers such as the Section 23 Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, create intelligence reports based on intelligence provided by residents and assist colleagues in neighbouring Wards with drug warrants. During the Meeting concerns were (again) raised regarding nitrous oxide canisters being discarded on local streets.
• Speeding Vehicles and Vehicle Related Anti-Social-Behaviour (ASB): the Police have increased patrols around reported areas making use of the Section 59 of the Police Reform Act 2002 which allows them to stop and seize vehicles, they conduct speed gun operations on reported roads and stop vehicles being driven in an anti-social manner. The Police completed a Day-of-Action involving the use of speed-guns and vehicle stops, focused on Little Heath, Hythe Avenue and Okehampton Crescent. Ward Panel Chair suggested these should be regular events, not just one-offs, especially since Speeding Vehicles was a selected Priority. Additionally, mobile patrols were conducted in nearby roads targeting drivers who might be avoiding the mentioned roads. Superintendent Jones was anxious that such activities be more robust. The Meeting was told that officers involved in speed-gun operations must wear high-visibility clothing. The question of additional speed cameras was raised: these are the responsibility of the Council. It was confirmed that the so-called, smiley-face cameras, do not record the identity of speeding vehicles.
• ASB: is an on-going concern. The Police summarise ASB into three (3) categories. personal, nuisance and environmental. Patrols have been focusing on areas of current concern. Lodge Hill (drug dealing), Woolwich Road (speeding vehicles), Stevens Park (drug usage, ASB involving large groups of youths and use by shoplifters), Axminster Crescent (drug usage), West Heath Recreation Park (ASB), Gipsy Road (criminal damage and speeding vehicles), Selsey Crescent (criminal damage and use by shoplifters), Oakhampton Crescent (speeding), The Pantiles (drug dealing/usage), Orchard Avenue (drug usage), and the Hurst Lane Estate (various including fly-tipping and the use of electric scooters). Reassurance visits to residents are carried out and Police Officers keep up to date with appropriate ASB training.
No analyses of Crimes occurring in the London Borough of Bexley were provided: West Heath has previously been identified as a ‘Low Crime Ward’.
Recent West Heath’ Crimes recorded during the period October-2025 to Septemeber-2026 include:
• Violence against the person ~ one hundred and seventy-eight (178) incidents were recorded. It is understood that almost all relate to domestic violence although at least one incident involved a robbery.
• Burglary ~ forty (40) burglaries with a peak of eleven (11) burglaries (February-2026): several arrests followed the February-2026 burglaries , several arrests followed the February peak.
• Theft of motor vehicles ~ thirty-six (36) thefts peaking at eleven (11) thefts (August-2026). Some vehicles were subsequently recovered.
• Theft from a motor vehicle ~ twenty-seven (27) thefts peaking at five (5) thefts (August-2026).
• As previously mentioned, drug related activities continue to be a concern with nineteen (19) arrests , peaking at three (3) arrests (November-2025, February, March and April-2026) A February-2026 arrest involved a man who admitted to two (2) counts of possession of cannabis (a Class B drug) in The Pantiles area.
Ward Panel Chair has investigated the subject of Faraday Pouches and advises: ‘any Faraday Pouch is better than nothing however the better-quality ones last longer and any faraday pouch should be regularly tested.
Faraday boxes are better than pouches and last for ever. Pouches need to be checked regularly after 6 months as they will eventually fail. It is recommended to sit in your car with your key in the pouch and hit start on the car. If it starts it needs replacing.
Important to note that this will only stop relay thefts. German cars such as Audi, BMW,Mercedes are vulnerable to relay thefts. Japanese/Korean SUV’s/PHEV’s are vulnerable to emulator or Canbus attack so pouches will not stop this. A good old full face steering lock is best. Disklok but it should be the Diamond addition which is grinder proof.
Discount code HAVDSK26 will get 15% off on the Disklok website with a further 5% if they register.’
The results of a recent Virtual Ward’ Panel Survey showed the level of concern Ward’ residents feel about various crimes, with dangerous driving/speeding, burglary, shoplifting, theft of motor vehicles and ASB as prominent causes for concern. It is understood the response was considered very good. Regarding shoplifting, it is understood that the Sainsbury’s shop in Brampton Road now has two new managers and it is hoped they will be more pro-active regarding shoplifting than their predecessor(s).
During the previous Meeting we heard that a man had been arrested for the theft of pedal cycles around West Heath. Since then, he has returned from bail, been charged with the thefts and will appear in court next month. The Police continue to investigate as to whether he has been involved in additional cycle thefts.
Met Engage: it is understood that West Heath has one of the highest take-up rates and attendees not already signed up were encouraged to do so. Met Engage is crucial for improving communication, sharing local updates and involving residents in policing.
The Meeting heard that the Police conduct regular briefings either street briefings or indoors in places such as the Bostall Library.
West Heath’ Safer Neighbourhood officers were involved in successfully applying for a search warrant under Section 8 PACE 1984, for an address in the West Heath Ward, after the Department of Working Pensions became aware that the individual living was linked to an organised crime group in Manchester and might be responsible for around £10 million worth of fraudulent activity. Working with the Department, the officers attended the address and seized documents providing vital information relating to the investigation. A man was arrested accused of conspiracy to defraud, fraud by misrepresentation and money laundering: he was subsequently bailed while the Department continue their investigation.
The subject of fly-tipping was raised. Following a question at the last Meeting, Ward Panel Chair contacted the council regarding the anonymity of witnesses when reporting incidents. The Council response was, ‘we actively encourage residents to report fly-tipping via FixMyStreet which allows reports to be made without direct contact or attendance at the resident’s address. Any confidential information, such as witness details, vehicle information, or evidence (including CCTV or doorbell footage) should be sent directly to envirocrime@bexley.gov.uk rather than included on public-facing platforms’.
The Priorities for the next three months were agreed as follows:
• Drug Dealing/Drug Use
• Speeding Vehicles/Dangerous Driving
• Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)
The next West Heath Ward’ Panel Meeting will be held on Monday, 1 February 2027, at 7.00 pm in The Vine Christian Community Church Hall.
If anonymity is required when reporting a crime, it is understood that Crimestoppers is the best way to report the crime: otherwise, ring 999 if the matter is urgent or 101 if not. The Police receive daily reports from Crimestoppers regarding issues within the West Heath area.
Contact Numbers &c.
SNT’ telephone number: 0208 721 2885
E-mail: Westheath.SNT@met.police.uk
X: @MPSWestHeath
: October-2026
 Across London we’ve put hundreds more officers on the frontlines of community crime-fighting teams, upping visible patrols in the right ‘hot spots’ so we can deter and catch criminals - including with new tech like live facial recognition cameras, drones and e-bikes. Antisocial behaviour can come in many forms and can require support from more organisations than just the police. A full list of what we categorise as antisocial behaviour is available on our website. If you have experienced anti-social behaviour or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk or call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org Please consider getting involved by registering for these messages, this will enable you to contribute to the local priority survey. We may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
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