South Hampstead

We are aware of concerns regarding repeat shoplifting and other retail robberies offences affecting businesses along Finchley Road.

In response to concerns raised by local businesses, officers have been working closely with retailers to identify repeat and high-harm offenders operating in the area. Information provided by businesses has been combined with police intelligence to build a clearer picture of offending and help target those causing the greatest harm to the community.

This work has delivered significant results. As part of a recent investigation, one prolific offender was sentenced to a substantial term of imprisonment and made subject to a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) prohibiting him from entering Camden for 50 years.

Officers have also carried out a combination of high-visibility and plain clothes patrols, using stop and search powers where appropriate to prevent and detect offences. Alongside this, we have continued to work with local businesses and retail representatives to identify prolific offenders, gather evidence, and obtain victim impact statements that support investigations and enforcement action.

In addition, retailers have been encouraged to report offences through Operation Retail to help ensure incidents are reported consistently and that key evidence, such as CCTV footage, is secured promptly. This approach helps us identify repeat offenders more quickly and strengthens opportunities for positive enforcement outcomes.

This work remains ongoing. We will continue to work closely with businesses and partner organisations to identify offenders, reduce crime, and improve safety and confidence for those who live, work, and visit the area.

We are aware of local concerns about personal safety on the ward, particularly along Finchley Road.

In response to local concerns, your Ward Team has been holding regular community engagement events, including monthly drop-in advice sessions and Coffee with a Copper meetings. These events provide residents with an opportunity to speak directly with local officers, raise concerns, receive crime prevention advice, and learn more about the work taking place in their area.

Officers have also been using local crime data and community information to identify repeat and vulnerable victims of crime. Where appropriate, officers have made contact and carried out visits to offer support, advice, and safeguarding measures. This information has also helped shape patrol plans, ensuring officers are carrying out visible patrols in the areas and at the times where they are most needed.

In addition, we are working with colleagues and partners to explore further measures to improve community safety and help identify offenders as part of a wider crime reduction strategy.

This work remains ongoing. We will continue to review local concerns, engage with residents, and adapt our activity to ensure it meets the needs of the community. As the autumn months approach and daylight hours become shorter, we will continue to focus on providing reassurance, preventing crime, and maintaining a visible presence across the ward.

We have received reports of ongoing anti-social behaviour (ASB) in the area of the Hilgrove estate, including loitering and suspected drug use. Concerns suggested that some of those involved may be local school-aged young people, and that this behaviour has been affecting residents’ sense of safety.

Through ongoing patrols, local enquiries, and information provided by the community, officers have identified that anti-social behaviour in the area is linked to a mixture of repeat individuals and groups gathering at the location. Some incidents have involved young people remaining in the area after school, while other reports have related to drug use and wider nuisance behaviour.

In response, officers have carried out enhanced high-visibility patrols across a range of shifts to provide a visible policing presence and address community concerns. During these patrols, police powers have been used where appropriate, including stop and search, issuing summonses for drug-related offences, and providing anti-social behaviour warnings.

We have also been working closely with a local school to address concerns that some of those involved may be students. Alongside this, we continue to work with partner agencies, including Camden Council, to improve information sharing, identify those responsible for persistent anti-social behaviour, and explore joint enforcement opportunities. Joint patrols involving police and council officers have proved effective and will continue throughout the autumn months.

This work remains ongoing. We will continue to monitor reports, assess the impact of patrols and partnership activity, and adapt our approach where necessary. Our aim is to reduce anti-social behaviour, improve reassurance for residents, and take positive action against those responsible for repeated problems in the area.