The annual Crime Summit is only two months away and the council and police have made huge progress in dealing with many of the concerns raised following last year’s hugely popular event.
Over 400 residents crammed into the Town Hall for the 2010 summit and a similar number are expected to descend on Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea FC on Saturday March 5.
Under the banner ‘your priority, our goal’ this year’s summit, the fifth to be held in the borough, will feature four themed workshops covering anti-social behaviour, environmental crime, drugs and alcohol and staying safe. The workshops provide local residents with a platform to air their views to the people who patrol the borough’s streets day in, day out.
In addition, there will be short presentations from senior police officers, including borough commander, Detective Chief Superintendent Kevin Hurley.
Following last year’s event, residents from Askew ward said that there needed to be more things to do for young people.
The council and police took these comments on board and arranged a whole series of events during the summer holidays, including, football and circus skills workshops and cookery demonstrations.
Several residents raised concerns last March about drug dealing in Askew ward. Since the crime summit, plain clothes officers have increased their patrols in known drug dealing hot spots and several people have been arrested.
Anti-social behaviour committed by young people in Fulham Broadway ward was another repeated theme of last year’s crime summit. Since the event, patrols have been increased, and Police Community Support Officers have arranged football and other diversionary activities for young people at risk of offending.
Dangerous cyclists were also mentioned at the summit so the police have arranged several events to educate cyclists about the importance of riding safely.
Cllr Greg Smith said:
“Cutting crime is one of our top priorities and our annual summit ensures that residents’ opinions on how to achieve that goal are acted upon. This approach has worked well, as we have seen falling crime for six years in a row and 34,000 fewer crimes since 2002. But we are not complacent and we want to build on this success.
“If you have a problem with crime make sure you come to this year’s event and we will sort it out for you. Residents’ help is also invaluable as they are our eyes and ears on the streets and the Crime Summit is an excellent way to mobilise their support. Working together, we will continue to make Hammersmith & Fulham as crime free as possible.”
The Crime Summit is free to all borough residents. If you would like to book a place or want more information please visit www.lbhf.gov.uk/crimesummit2011 or email crime.summit@lbhf.gov.uk and provide your name and contact details. Alternatively, call 020 8753 2359.
The year’s event is sponsored by St. George and is run in association with Chelsea Football Club.
