January 2026 Ward Panel Minutes

Brixton North Safer Neighbourhood Ward Panel 

Minutes of meeting held on 28th of January 2026 at Loughborough Community Centre, Max Roach Park

Chair of the meeting: Diana Linskey

Attendees in person: Diana Linskey, Michelle Killington, Michele Batstone, Steven Warran (SW9), Samual Kamara, Dina Patel (Friends of Max Roach Park), John Gandhi Lambeth Public Protection, Golda Mochia, Daryl Castillo, Susan Cobham, Hyacinth Shand, Paulette Mansoray, Colette Thomas, Lara Mifsud-Bonici, Mary Ekenichi, Tom Smith Lambeth Parks,

Nanda Manley Browne, Ward Councillor, We had around 40 people there (plus SNT).

Some latecomers did not sign in – if you want to be added to the minutes please let us know. Apologies for any misspelt names above.

Attendees on the line: (via Teams) – chat monitored by PCSO Steve Bradley. Shabs (Llondis), Desmund Adekunle, Lilian Kabdebo, Gareth Clark, Valentina Ciaccio (Nottinghill Oak Square), Roberto Commisola

Guests: English Boxing: Allen Kababda, Kirsty Macmahon, Councillor David Bridson (co lead on Public Health), Simon Hutchings, Learning Curve Group, Lambeth Youth Engagement Outreach team: Daryl Castillo, plus one.

PCs Chris Lawrence, Thomas Orton, Wiktoria Gonciarz, Patrick McCarthy

PCSOs Jack Dowler, Stephen Bradley, Isabella Franklin

Diana welcomed all to the meeting and attendees all introduced themselves.

Minutes were agreed. No matters arising not covered by agenda

.4   Annual Ward Panel Elections

Agreed to elect Diana Linskey as Chair, Michelle Killington as Vice Chair. No nominations for Secretary and no volunteers came forward. Held over.

Panel Members: Steven Warran, Michelle Batstone, Samuel Kamara, Lilian Kabdebo, Dina Patel, Golda Mochia , Cathy White. Agreed we should have a DARA member (or from that area of the Ward) and also Oak Square. Would ask for more Panel Members to be elected at next meeting.

4.   Presentation from Ward SN Police team on actions to deliver the October to January quarter Priorities

Current crime levels, ASB, etc 

Burglary residential same, business up though numbers low. As usual bike thefts, garages broken into, communal areas parcel thefts. Thefts and vehicle theft – Stats much as last quarter. Drug trafficking and possession up and more towards Brixton Terrace and Max Roach Park. 

VAWG - up from 49 to 54 incidents spread across the ward. SNT have done 2 walks about VAWG on the ward with few attendees. 

ASB stats – still unable to access the previous stats through Met Insight. Map shows codes of reports logged as personal/environment/nuisance. ASB reports are mostly about noise nuisance, domestic issues, bin usage, neighbourhood disputes. Numbers down on previous quarter.

Op Sceptre week – test purchases made to see if ID was asked for when buying knives. 5 stores on the ward, 2 passed, 2 failed, 1 had no stock. Discussion on where knives are sourced and how to dispose of safely. Bins at St Johns, St Marks as well as outside polices station. If you find a weapon tell SNT where it was left, contact team to retrieve it. https://www.word4weapons.co.uk/knife-bin-locations/

Following residents information and reporting a solid case was built by CHB and SNT and a full closure order was granted at court on Unit 6 Fairfax House, Angell Town. This will last until 6 April. Residents asked to report any breaches they become aware of.

5    Actions to deliver Ward priorities over last quarter.

When on patrol take every opportunity to engage with ward. 8 Weapon sweeps carried out in our ward and adjoining wards and in Brixton with other SNTs. 3 large knives recovered.

Targeted patrols on 57 shifts total 40 hours through the BNT 2 area throughout the quarter and on Oak Square estate. 5 results including stolen moped.

Joint patrol through Max Roach Park with Lambeth Parks team. 3 walks organised with Lambeth Public Protection Teams

Community Protection Warnings CPW’s active in town centre 132

Community Protection Notices CPNs active in town centre 37

Community Behavioural Orders CBOs Active active in town centre 9

4 Live Facial Recognition days in Brixton Town Centre. Total 56 arrests of people wanted for a variety of crimes.

Engagement at Max Roach Park; Angell Church Carol Service; 4 x VAWG walk and talks. Police surgery meetings - PCSO Steve has set up 6/7 drop in sessions a month for residents to meet him to discuss issues. Advertised on Met engage and through our email list. Please do take the opportunity for a one to one if you need to. Also school visit to St Johns School to engage with young people. 

6.         Community concerns, discussion of recent/current crime and public safety matters

Max Roach Park Sergeant Courtney Hunt (Clear Hold Build) reported purchase orders done for PSPO signs, new benches, new fencing, brickwork for the wall etc. Undergrowth and bushes to be cut back. Discussion about street drinkers there – signs were to ensure ASB behaviour by drinkers could be tackled when necessary. A reminder that actually all of Brixton is covered by a PSPO which bans drinking alcohol in public. Still some issues about lighting but very constructive and positive steps being made alongside the new Friends Group. 

Ladbrokes, Brixton Road – Lilian and Sam have raised noise issues with the police and with Lambeth. Groups of men are congregating outside Ladbrokes Brixton Road playing non stop loud music until very late at night. Sleep is impossible. Seemed to be some collusion with Ladbrokes whose customers like it. John Gandhi from Lambeth Public Protection would follow up, please to continue to make reports to the Council. Gavin offered to make joint patrols with the Council to intervene.

Loughborough Estate – Michele raised issues at Loughborough Estate with the Management Board. Residents felt unsafe following a recent fire. Residents had to leave their flats but could not contact the Board and get access to the community hall for shelter. They feel unsafe should a fire occur again. Could Lambeth liaise with LFB on inspections and making sure procedures were in place for the future. Councillor Nanda was asked to take this up.

Engagement with young people – Residents raised a couple of incidents they had witnessed involving young people and police officers. One had videoed an arrest involving plain clothes officers and an unmarked car. One involving a youth being stopped and searched with no information given to him about his rights. Clearly how these incidents were viewed was concerning given the Panels priorities of better youth engagement. 

7.   Public Health – Councillors Bridson and Manley Browne (Cabinet member for safer communities job-share)

Councillor Bridson gave an overview of the council’s approach on public health. They were looking to support traumatised and homeless people. They funded a drug and alcohol outreach team which is a new initiative to tackle a growing problem. Focused on getting people into services, working with people such as Thames Reach.  50% of the people they engaged with were not Brixton based. Also looking at a preventative approach – project working with SW9 Housing. Everyone urged to report homeless or rough sleepers to Streetlink. https://thestreetlink.org.uk/ Nanda added information about Lambeth Together (a partnership of the voluntary and community sector, the NHS, Lambeth Council, and others, focused on improving health and wellbeing and reducing inequalities for people in Lambeth through an integrated health and care system) Their public Forum is open to anyone – next meeting Thursday 5 March 2026, Public Forum: 1pm to 2pm, Care Partnership Board: 2pm to 5pm Location: Brixton Tate Library, Brixton Oval, London SW2 1JQ. Michelle asked for a written statement of Lambeths responsibilities as regards public health.

8.         Report from Ward Councillors – nothing further.

9.         Ward Priorities: 

All in agreement to carry on with these priorities. 

Guests:

Kirsty McMahon, Regional Project Lead (London) Moves Different England Boxing. Kirsty gave an introduction to her upcoming youth community project - Moves Different which involved young people in Lambeth and boxing. Further information contact: https://www.englandboxing.org/moves/ Mobile: 07761202745

Lambeth Youth Engagement Outreach team: Daryl Castillo gave a brief introduction to their work with young people. The Lambeth Youth Justice Service works with young people that get into trouble with the law. they look into the background of a young person and try to help them stay away from crime. Further information on Lambeths website.

Simon Hutchings, Learning Curve Group - Business Development Officer at Military Preparation College & Training College. Simon Hutchings gave a brief description of the work that his organisation provides and how they support young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds. 

 9.        Date/venue next meeting – Should be April but suggest make early May after the 7 May council elections. 

10 Any other business: Diana said she had been asked that morning to allow a Brixton Buzz reporter to attend the meeting because of the discussion on public health. She had said no as she had not had time to consult. He had said he would like to attend a future meeting. Would the meeting be OK with that? Consensus was yes.

A big thank you to Colette at Loughborough Community Centre for making us so welcome. It was very much appreciated.