meeting with the police

Into Victoria for a meeting organised by John Roberts, Lambeth’s Independent Member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, to take stock of how Safer Neighbourhoods is working in Lambeth. Senior police officers were there, including Borough Commander Martin Bridger and Deputy Commissioner Alf Hitchcock (perfect name for a crime fighter). A good turnout of active members of Safer Neighbourhood panels across the borough made for a productive meeting.

Lots of politics is sitting in rooms discussing strategic overviews and business plans and other abstract notions, but this event was about people speaking about their experiences with the police and the council and advising us how we can best make Lambeth’s communities safer, actively tackle crime at a local level and really engage at street level.

People shared best practice – some are setting up their own websites, some are talking to other panels to avoid displacement issues, that sort of thing. We heard how things are working in individual areas and I think people took away ideas and advice to report back to their panels which they will undoubtedly put into practice. The issue of involving young people was a recurring theme. I made a number of points when I spoke to the meeting - that Lambeth needs to concentrate on providing more activities for young people, as well as involving them in Safer Neighbourhoods; also that councillors who attend panels should be as accountable as the police – we are working in partnership and that covers accountability too.

I was pleased to see Sam and Musse from the new Streatham South panel, who had made time to attend despite less than a day’s notice. As I went round the room between discussion groups, they were clearly making a full contribution.

1 Comments »

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Tamsin Morebridge said,
Birmingham

Thu, 27 Jul 2006 - 6:21 PM

I'm impressed by your commitment. I used to live in Stockwell when I worked in London - I moved away but if you can make Stockwell feel safer you are doing a good job.

Tamsin