Attendance

David Elavia (Chairman)

Inkerman House

Present

Paul Sturgess

(Minute Secretary)

Earl’s Court Gardens

Present

Matthew Bantick  

(Data provision)

Metropolitan Police

Present

Christoph Noblet

Barkston Gardens

Present

Monique Hodgkinson-Cox

Cromwell Mansion

Present

Spencer Parsons

Eardley Crescent

Present

Chrissie Courtney

Chm EC Square

Residents Assoc  

Present

Jill Dain

Longridge Road    

Present

Brian Stephens

Nevern Place

Present

Lee French-Smith

Nevern Square

Present

Ben Williams

Notting Hill Genesis

Present

Hattie Jones

Previous Sergeant Metropolitan Police

Present

Kam Shaheen

New Sergeant Metropolitan Police

Present

Danny Wright

Metropolitan Police

Present

Maddy Hale

Community Safety

RBKC Warden

Present

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Steve Dell

Metropolitan Police

Apologies

Ike Jude

Look Ahead

Apologies

Joel Raj Koomer

Turning Point Penywern Road

Apologies

Rachel Merriman

RBKC Community Safety

Apologies

Adam Radcliffe

Safer Business Networks

Rail strike absence

Philip O’Rorke        

Earl’s Court Village          

Apologies

Daniel Grech          

Look Ahead Housing

Apologies

1

Welcome

David welcomed all present, especially the new sergeant Kam Shaheen.

2a

2b

Introductions

Those present introduced themselves in clockwise rotation.

Apologies

David Elavia reported apologies as above.

3

General Police briefing

3.1 Crime figures – Matt Bantick

3.2 A shoplifter was arrested in Kensington High Street.

3.3 “Operation Apricity” targeting drug supply: warrant issued for an address in Eardley Crescent; 5 arrests in the quarter for cannabis possession.

3.4

Adam Redcliffe of Safer Business Networks, was due to speak at this meeting, but was absent due to the Rail Strike.

www.saferbusiness.org.uk

Hattie Jones presented an update on the way the Safer Business Network, which operates from a number of addresses in London, had been financed by the Home Office; and in future by the Council and retail businesses to investigate shoplifting and violence to retail staff in the Earls Court Road. The research was expected to develop into co-ordinated action, including internet communication between retailers about known offenders and their topographical location. At present, the research has concentrated on supermarkets, particularly the Co-Op in Earls Court Road. It was thought that much shoplifting was motivated by drug dependency and mental health issues; such that information exchange could lead to practical solutions.

First year funding would only be for one person working one day a week, totalling £15k. This would be provided by the Home Office. The next year should be one full-time person costing £45k until May 2024, identifying offenders etc. Adam Radcliffe intends to come to our next meeting in June.

3.5

Maddy Hale presented on Council Wardens.

As part of the Earls Court Safer Neighbourhoods Project, there was a month of Action in December. The RBKC Wardens managed to achieve:

·         39% reduction in crime and ASB for December.

·         A total of 195 actions for the whole of Earls Court.

·         16 referrals of rough sleepers.

·         15 drug and alcohol referrals.

The present team of 15 Wardens, is due to be increased to 18 in the near future, and ultimately to 25. A new integrated reporting system is due to be introduced which could be operational from now.

3.6

Matt Bantick distributed a handout entitled “Turnaround Plan 2023-2025”, which was issued from the Commissioner’s Office, and detailed consultation plans on how the Met proposed to engender greater confidence in the Police, and implement effective community policing to fight racism, misogyny and homophobia. Delivering more trust, less crime and higher standards.

4

Items raised by present panel members

4.1

Christopher Noblet of Barkston Gardens raised the following: -

·         There appears to be a drug dealer group of 3-5 individuals going around garden squares, discreet over the last few weeks, but some of the group members are still around. What is being done structurally to prevent them from operating?

·         There is a heavy drinker group (5-6 individuals) outside Burns Hotel next to the single women building, causing nuisance, and leaving a mess. Vulnerable women are intimidated and feel threatened.

·         Aggressive begging outside Earls Court Station. Having a police officer using the Tardis blue box has made a significant impact in the past, but now too rare. Some individuals cause issues. Could anything be done to address and stop?

4.2

Chrissy Courtney

·         How should the police respond to ASB complaints. Reporting the incident in person to them or on the internet? Most people appreciate dealing with a person, rather than a computer.

·         Six incidents of cycling on pavements were seen in half an hour.

·         Chrissy had heard that two stabbings had occurred: -

o   One in Warwick Road near the station at 9.30pm

o   The other in Earls Court Road near the Boltons

ACTION POINT Hattie and Mat will look into this occurrence and inform Chrissie.

Brian Williams reported there were many food delivery bike riders in Child’s Place who were abusive to women. It was thought desirable that food delivery parking spots be provided in non-residential streets.

·         ACTION POINT. Maddy Hale to speak to RBKC Highways Dept about new allocation of parking spots for delivery bike users in non-residential streets.

5

Items raised by absent panel members

5.1

Joe Storey

·         The level of anti-social behaviour remains high. It is just a handful of individuals committing it. If they are local to the area, they are clearly being inadequately housed. What is the councils plan to have them adequately housed.

·         Shoplifting plan for Earls Court Road.

·         Causes of the graffiti (is it local gangs?) / Why is it not stopped (We can’t be short of CCTV on Earls Court Road)? It must be cheaper for the Council to have someone stood on Earls Court Road full-time to prevent it than clean it off every week!!

David to respond to Joe.

6

Future Priority Topic Areas

These remained four: -

·         Burglary and Robberies.

·         Motor vehicle crime: theft of and from.

·         Drug related crime.

·         Anti-Social Behaviour including begging, and other violence and intimidation.

7

Any Other Business

Police abstractions for the Coronation on 6^th May was discussed, including the need to police street parties [eg Earls Court Square].

8

Date of Next Meeting

This was projected for early June 2023. Exact date to be decided nearer the time.