Ward Sergeant Message for Faraday and North Walworth

Dear Residents of Faraday & North Walworth,

It has now been over two years since I joined the Neighbourhood Team for Faraday and North Walworth.  Those two years have flown by, and in that time I have seen many changes across the area. The redevelopment of the Elephant and Castle shopping area is now nearing completion.  I was given a tour of the site back in September.  Although it will not be the same as the former Shopping Centre, I understand that some of the shops currently operating on the outer perimeter will be incorporated into the new design.  Hopefully the new facilities will complement both the High Street and East Street Market.

Although I have remained in post, there have been some changes within the team.  I am fortunate to have a dedicated group of Police Officers and Police Community Support Officers working with me.  Some responsibilities have evolved. Engagement patrols, which were previously carried out by Police Constables, are now led by our PCSOs. This allows the PCs to focus on crime hotspots across the ward.  In simple terms, the PCSOs concentrate on anti social behaviour, while the PCs deal with crime.

You may hear in the media that nothing is being done about shoplifting.  This is not the case.  We have taken several offenders to court for these thefts.  We do ask for your help in tackling this issue.  Please do not buy cheap goods offered in places such as pubs or on the street.  Local shops and supermarkets do not simply absorb losses from theft.  These costs are often passed on to customers through higher prices.

We have recently held Community Safety Days in Burgess Park and Nursery Row Park, aimed at preventing violence against women and girls.  Some of my own female colleagues have received inappropriate comments while patrolling the parks.  We take a zero tolerance approach towards men who direct unwanted comments or behaviour at women and girls.  Over recent months we have increased patrols in Burgess Park.  You may not always see these patrols, as some have been carried out in plain clothes, but please be assured they are taking place.

One of the first issues I dealt with when I arrived in neighbourhood policing involved concerns raised by both the public and the council’s parks team about men engaging in inappropriate behaviour in certain areas of the park.  This is a sensitive subject.  As a gay man myself, I worked closely with a colleague from the Parks team who is also gay, along with LGBTQ plus charities, community leaders, police and council representatives.  We agreed that this behaviour could not continue in daylight hours, particularly where it caused offence or concern to other park users, including women and children.

Our approach focused first on engagement and education.  After several weeks, we moved to enforcement, issuing Community Protection Warnings and Notices where required.  Arrests for sexual offences were very low, and most arrests made in the area related to drug offences.  It was important to ensure that enforcement was proportionate and that we did not return to the days when men were criminalised simply for being gay.

We work closely with the council and continue to focus on improving the environment across the ward. I take inspiration from the Broken Windows approach introduced years ago by the New York Police Commissioner.  If a broken window or similar issue is left unattended, it can send a message that no one cares.  This can lead to further deterioration, graffiti and, eventually, more serious crime.  While I do not live in the area, I genuinely enjoy working here and want to see the neighbourhood thrive.  I grew up in a council home in East London and know how important a safe and tidy community is.

Let us work together to keep this area clean, safe and welcoming.  Let us make it an even better place to live and work in.