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
Increase in summer ASB at Ram Quarter relating to the Night Time Economy.

***EMERGING ISSUE***

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, MetEngage and local engagement regarding an increase in anti-social behaviour within the Ram Quarter area during the summer months.
Reports indicate alcohol-related nuisance, excessive noise, disorderly behaviour, street drinking, littering and groups congregating around licensed premises and public spaces associated with the Night Time Economy.
Residents and local businesses report disruption, reduced quality of life and concerns regarding community safety, particularly during peak evening and weekend periods.

A – Analysis
Police reports and community feedback identify Ram Quarter as a location experiencing increased ASB linked to the Night Time Economy, particularly during warmer weather and weekends.
The majority of incidents are associated with patrons leaving licensed premises, resulting in noise nuisance, disorder and anti-social behaviour within surrounding streets and public spaces.
The area also experiences ongoing issues with regular street drinkers who congregate around local betting shops and nearby public areas. This behaviour contributes to alcohol-related ASB, nuisance, intimidation of passers-by and repeated calls for service.
Analysis identifies peak times between evening and early morning hours, with increased footfall, alcohol consumption and limited dispersal contributing to the issue.
Partnership opportunities exist with licensing authorities, local businesses, betting shop operators and venue managers to address the underlying causes and improve management of the local environment.

R – Response
The Neighbourhood Policing Team will:

Conduct targeted patrols in and around Ram Quarter during peak Night Time Economy hours.
Conduct regular engagement with street drinkers and utilise appropriate ASB powers where necessary to reduce repeat offending behaviour.
Work with local betting shop operators to identify and address individuals causing persistent ASB and nuisance.
Engage with licensed premises, venue managers and security staff to promote responsible venue management and effective customer dispersal policies.
Work jointly with Wandsworth Council, Licensing Officers and partner agencies to address recurring issues linked to specific locations.
Utilise intelligence-led policing to identify, deter and disrupt individuals responsible for persistent ASB.
Provide reassurance patrols and engage with residents and businesses affected by Night Time Economy-related nuisance.
Encourage reporting of ASB and the sharing of community intelligence to support enforcement and problem-solving activity.

A – Assessment
Success will be measured through:

A reduction in ASB reports relating to Ram Quarter and surrounding locations.
Reduced demand linked to Night Time Economy and street drinking-related incidents.
A decrease in repeat complaints relating to known street drinkers and hotspot locations.
Positive feedback from residents, businesses and Ward Panel members.
Increased partnership engagement with licensed premises, betting shop operators and local stakeholders.
Regular review of incident data, community feedback and MetEngage responses.

Target Outcome
Reduce anti-social behaviour associated with the Night Time Economy and persistent street drinking within Ram Quarter through targeted enforcement, partnership working, effective engagement with businesses and increased public confidence in neighbourhood policing.