Preston

Hirst Crescent has for some time been a hotspot for anti-social behaviour and related crimes. Residents have numerous complaints regarding the goings on within the Crescent and surrounding roads. Residence at not happy with drug use, general loitering and the other crime this attracts.

1 – Kenton and Preston SNT officers carry out proactive patrols of Hist crescent and surrounding roads regularly, with multiple visits throughout the morning/day/evenings. Conversations have been had with local response teams, who have also offered their assistance with attending on days and times when SNT are unable.
2 – Proactive operations have been carried out in the area, leading to multiple arrests.
3 – Problematic residence of the area have been approached by the ward officers and sergeant and concerns regarding their behaviour have been highlighted. Possible repercussions of continued negative behaviour have been suggested.
4 – A closure order has been put in place and has been running for nearly 3 months at the time of this update. Since the closure has been in place complaints from residents have drastically decreased and a recent visit has suggested that residents are happy with the closure and the positive effect it has had. Preston SNT are working hard to have this extended and further updates will be added. Hirst crescent no longer seems to be an ASB hotspot.

During regular reassurance visits to retail premises on the Preston Road, it appears that there has been a noticeable increase in retail crime and begging. It seems that these offences are largely not being reported.

1 – Preston SNT will be carrying out plain clothes and high visibility patrols in the area at peak theft times and dealing with offenders robustly utilising the justice and court system.
2 – Regualr visits are being made and will continue to encourage the correct reporting of these offences, and offer best advice with a view to preventing thefts where possible.

Although Preston ward does not suffer significantly from theft from motor vehicle crime compared to other areas, it is has been one of the more prominent recorded offences in Preston. A crime trend is noted in hotel carparks, where tools are regularly stolen from vehicles of tradespersons staying overnight.

1 – In the recent months, Preston SNT officers worked closely with other SNT’s and Wembley TCT, carrying out operations and warrants to combat these offences. With outstanding results of a arrests, and over £50,000 worth of tools and believed stolen items recovered. This has shown to have had a massive impact on these criminal teams with TFMV crime drastically dropping
2 – Ongoing operations, and partnership working to constantly target and challenge those who continue to carry out these offences.