Wandsworth Town

Violence Against Person

S – Scanning
Residents have raised concerns through Ward Panel meetings, MetEngage and local engagement regarding violence, drug-related activity and knife crime in and around Poplin Apartments and the Burial Ground area.
Reports and community intelligence indicate concerns relating to groups congregating, suspected drug misuse and supply, youth violence and the possession of knives and offensive weapons. These issues contribute to community fear, increased risk of violence and reduced confidence in public safety.
Residents have identified the area as a priority location requiring increased police visibility and partnership intervention.

A – Analysis
Police intelligence, crime reports and local knowledge identify Poplin Apartments and the Burial Ground as locations where violence, drug-related activity and knife crime concerns have been reported.
Analysis has identified offending patterns linked to groups of young people, individuals involved in criminality and those vulnerable to exploitation. The presence of drugs and weapons increases the risk of serious violence and anti-social behaviour within the area.
Regular reviews of crime data and intelligence are used to identify hotspot locations, persons of interest and emerging trends, allowing resources to be deployed effectively.
Partnership discussions have identified opportunities for early intervention through youth engagement, education and preventative work. Young people of concern are discussed through multi-agency meetings, while longer-term interventions are managed through partnership forums and local strategic boards.

R – Response
The Neighbourhood Policing Team will:

Utilise intelligence and crime data to identify hotspot locations, repeat offenders and emerging concerns.
Conduct targeted high-visibility patrols in and around Poplin Apartments and the Burial Ground.
Carry out organised weapon sweeps in identified locations.
Utilise stop and search powers where lawful, necessary, proportionate and supported by grounds.
Work alongside Wandsworth Council Community Safety Officers to develop and implement crime reduction initiatives.
Use appropriate ASB legislation and enforcement opportunities to tackle those involved in criminality.
Support youth engagement initiatives, including the Youth Engagement Bus and other diversionary activities.
Maintain regular engagement with schools, colleges and educational establishments through the Child and Young Person Officer.
Continue to address concerns relating to young people through fortnightly multi-agency professionals meetings.
Work with partners to identify and safeguard vulnerable individuals at risk of exploitation, violence or involvement in criminal activity.

A – Assessment
Success will be measured through:

A reduction in reports of violence, drug-related offences and knife crime within the priority area.
A reduction in community concerns raised through MetEngage and Ward Panel meetings.
Increased intelligence identifying offenders and locations linked to criminality.
Positive engagement with young people through education and diversionary initiatives.
Increased community confidence and reassurance through visible neighbourhood policing.
Regular review of crime data, stop and search activity, enforcement outcomes and partner feedback.

Target Outcome
Reduce violence, drug-related offending and knife crime in and around Poplin Apartments and the Burial Ground through targeted enforcement, intelligence-led policing, partnership working, youth engagement and early intervention, improving community safety and public confidence.

Shoplifting
To reduce ASB offences and shoplifting offences within the shopping centre and Garratt Lane area.
Retail crime (shoplifting, assaults against staff and criminal damage) have increased year on year. In line with the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, these crime types and associated issues such as begging, homelessness and substance misuse will be treated as a priority.

S – Scanning
Residents, retailers and businesses have raised concerns through Ward Panel meetings, MetEngage and local engagement regarding shoplifting and associated anti-social behaviour within the Southside Shopping Centre and Garratt Lane area.
Reports indicate incidents of retail crime, including shoplifting, assaults on retail staff and criminal damage. Businesses have also highlighted associated issues including begging, rough sleeping, homelessness and substance misuse, which contribute to crime and perceptions of safety within the area.
Retailers report financial loss, staff feeling unsafe and an increased demand for police intervention.

A – Analysis
Crime reports and intelligence show that shoplifting remains a significant issue across the shopping centre and Garratt Lane area.
Analysis identifies repeat offenders targeting multiple retail premises, often linked to acquisitive crime, substance misuse, homelessness and vulnerability. Retail staff have reported incidents of aggression and assaults when offenders are challenged.
The presence of begging, street drinking and substance misuse within the area contributes to perceptions of disorder and can create opportunities for further offending.
Partnership opportunities exist with retailers, shopping centre management, local authority teams, outreach services and other partner agencies to address both offending and the underlying vulnerabilities driving repeat criminality.
In line with the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, retail crime and associated anti-social behaviour will be treated as a local policing priority.

R – Response
The Neighbourhood Policing Team will:

Conduct targeted high-visibility patrols within Southside Shopping Centre, Garratt Lane and identified retail crime hotspots.
Work closely with retailers, shopping centre security and local businesses to identify prolific offenders and share intelligence.
Utilise intelligence-led policing to identify, deter and disrupt repeat shoplifters and offenders responsible for assaults and criminal damage.
Pursue enforcement opportunities against offenders through arrests, Community Protection Warnings, Criminal Behaviour Orders and other appropriate measures.
Work with homelessness, substance misuse and outreach services to identify vulnerable individuals and provide access to support where appropriate.
Engage with retailers to improve crime prevention measures, reporting processes and evidence-gathering opportunities, including CCTV.
Encourage businesses to report all offences to support investigations and improve the intelligence picture.

A – Assessment
Success will be measured through:

A reduction in shoplifting offences across the Southside Shopping Centre and Garratt Lane area.
A reduction in assaults against retail staff and incidents of criminal damage.
Increased identification and enforcement action against prolific offenders.
Increased intelligence and reporting from retailers and business partners.
Reduced reports of associated ASB, including begging, street drinking and substance misuse-related nuisance.
Positive feedback from retailers, staff, residents and Ward Panel members.
Regular review of crime data, MetEngage feedback and partner information.

Target Outcome
Reduce shoplifting, retail crime and associated anti-social behaviour within Southside Shopping Centre and the Garratt Lane area through targeted enforcement, partnership working, offender management, support for vulnerable individuals and increased confidence in neighbourhood policing.

Anti-social Behaviour

With recent warm sunshine and long summer evenings, there has been a marked increase in reports of ASB from within the Ram Quarter. In support of Wandsworth Summer plans, this will be treated as a priority in the upcoming weeks.

S - Scanning
Residents have raised concerns through Ward Panel meetings, Met Engage and local engagement regarding ongoing anti-social behaviour within Wandsworth Town.
Reports include street drinking, groups congregating within the town centre, intimidating behaviour, excessive noise, anti-social use of e-bikes and incidents that cause alarm, harassment and distress to residents, businesses and visitors.
Concerns have increased as the winter period approaches, with residents reporting feeling less safe in public spaces during hours of darkness and identifying recurring issues at known hotspot locations.

A – Analysis
Police reports, partner agency information and community feedback identify several recurring ASB hotspots within Wandsworth Town. These incidents are largely associated with street drinking, vulnerable individuals involved in repeat ASB, groups gathering in public spaces, and anti-social use of e-bikes in busy pedestrian areas.
The behaviour has a disproportionate impact on public confidence and community safety, particularly for elderly residents, commuters and those visiting the town centre during evening hours.
Analysis shows that repeat offenders and repeat locations account for a significant proportion of reported incidents, creating ongoing demand for police and partner agencies.
A coordinated approach involving enforcement, engagement and partnership working is required to address both the behaviour and the underlying causes contributing to ASB.

R – Response
The Neighbourhood Policing Team will:
Conduct targeted high-visibility patrols at identified ASB hotspots during peak demand periods.
Use appropriate powers to address street drinking, disorder and persistent anti-social behaviour.
Proactively engage with individuals responsible for repeat ASB and utilise warning letters, Community Protection Warnings and Community Protection Notices where appropriate.
Work with Wandsworth Council, housing providers, local businesses and support services to address underlying causes of repeat ASB.
Monitor and respond to anti-social use of e-bikes and other nuisance vehicles within pedestrian areas.
Carry out reassurance patrols to increase visibility and public confidence during the winter months.
Encourage reporting through police and council channels to improve intelligence and support enforcement activity.
Develop intelligence around repeat offenders and locations to support targeted problem-solving activity.

A – Assessment
Success will be measured through:
A reduction in ASB-related reports within Wandsworth Town.
Reduced calls for service relating to street drinking, disorder and nuisance behaviour.
Positive feedback from residents, businesses and Ward Panel members.
Increased use of ASB intervention powers against persistent offenders.
Improved public confidence identified through engagement activity and community feedback.
Regular review of crime, ASB and partnership data to assess effectiveness and identify emerging issues.