Safer Streets Initiative Sees Police and BID Team Up

On Wednesday 26th August, Northcote and Lavender Ward Police officers carried out a weapons sweep in partnership with staff from the Clapham Junction Business Improvement District (BID). The Junction BID area covers parts of both Northcote and Lavender wards and works to ensure the area feels safe, clean, and accessible for visitors, residents, and employees.

This weapons sweep was specially done with the run-up to Notting Hill Carnival in mind, as well as a response to knife crime across Battersea. It involved looking in bushes, behind street furniture and inside, underneath or on top of anywhere that would be a good hiding place for criminals to conceal or discard objects that might help to solve or prevent a crime.   

Car parks, open spaces, the rear of blocks of flats and shops, and communal garden areas were all searched stretching from the car parks at Junction Approach, off Falcon Road all the way down to the rear of Northcote Library.

“It was a useful exercise and several locations across the Clapham Junction town centre were checked for knives. stolen property, drugs and other contraband.  The operation also allowed the BID Security to discuss additional concerns including shoplifting and begging with Officers as part of our ongoing intelligence sharing." (Gary Burt, Executive BID Manager)