Meeting at a glance
The meeting covered the Panel's local community-safety priorities and other matters raised by residents, police and partners.
RobberyVehicle crimeAnti-social behaviourVAWGLocal safety concerns
Robbery
- Could security advice be given to residents? AS said that they were happy to come and give general advice on security but couldn’t recommend firms. MB said that shed alarms could be provided by the Council.
- What was the situation with the parcel thief? Had been arrested last year but had been seen in the neighbourhood recently. AS advised that police were working with delivery companies to avoid leaving parcels on doorsteps as far as possible. Residents could help by using shops and parcel collection lockers etc. Also, neighbours could be alerted to take in parcels – eg via WhatsApp groups.
- Moped scams – AS had been abstracted from Furzedown and so the team hadn’t been able to make headway with this. Now he is back, they will be liaising with the City of London police who are pursuing fraud claims. MB said the Council had a borough-wide focus on this which could help the police locally. He advised to report to police and insurers in the normal way as accidents. And advice leaflet on this would be coming out within a month.
- TH advised that there was an excellent spreadsheet of all incidents locally. If people had details of an incident, they should contact Barbara Reder and Claire Jauffret. [Contact details: barbara_reder@yahoo. com / 07783 361764; Claire is on Nextdoor chatgroup or 07736 809885.]
Vehicle crime
- People expressed disappointment at the lack of follow-up when car theft was reported. Questions were asked about why ANPR was not more routinely used.
- Police answered that ANPR couldn’t be extended, that it could only be used where it already existed to track a vehicle once it was known to be stolen. Early reporting of theft was therefore essential. The level of evidence needed for prosecution was high (eg door camera footage, CCTV etc).
- Question asked about how many CCTV cameras there were in the area. Police said 3 ‘Nomad’ (ie roving) cameras for gathering intelligence. Wandsworth Council have CCTV cameras on Mitcham Lane and on housing estates. In addition, 2 roving cameras had been installed on Leverson/Blegborough ‘triangle’.
- Discussion followed about that area, with comments that the cameras weren’t effective and that the problem of cyclists/scooter/moped riders routinely mounting the pavement. People had lost confidence in reporting to the police but were fearful of trying to confront offenders themselves, as some were threatening or even violent (one person had been dragged down the road by a moped rider).
- MB reported that a further series of works to improve the situation were in hand but also said that it was for the police to prosecute road traffic offences. The police could have access to council camera footage. AS asked for people to email/text him when offences occur so that penalty notices could be issued.
- AS suggested that a speed camera could be helpful but that ANPR wouldn’t be useful in this situation.
- TH suggested that the area was effectively a Low Traffic Neighbourhood (LTN) and monitoring it as such could be helpful.
Action: Councillors, SS and MB to meet over this issue.
Anti-social behaviour
- It was reported that there were ongoing problems with Garrick House on Fayland Avenue, with issues of drug-taking/dealing, rubbish and other ASB. This was mostly at school end time.
Action: AS said the SNT would aim to patrol at this time. MB would liaise with the estate manager and the police.
- Ongoing issues with ASB on council estates could be reported to the councillors: cllr.l.cooper@wandsworth.gov.uk, cllr.j.gasser@wandsworth.gov.uk
- There were also known ASB issues on Birchwood Road. MB looking into deploying a roving camera. It was suggested that lighting should be increased near Furzedown Lodge. LC said that there was an issue with increasing lighting in that area as it was part of Tooting Commons, so a balance had to be struck. MB suggested clearing foliage alongside paths would help people feel safer.
Violence Against Women & Girls (VAWG)
- TH reported that the Cassandra Centre had expressed a desire to work in the Furzedown ward (in schools etc). Could they get funding from MOPAC?
Action: councillors to check
- Question on figures for the area? It appeared difficult to get accurate figures due to the way violent crimes are categorised. MB said DataWand gave some figures but the information comes from the Met Police.
- It was confirmed that patrols had increased around the athletic track. Lighting was still an issue but as it was on the Common, Enable would need to be involved.
- Comment re not feeling safe as a young woman crossing the recreation ground in darker evenings. Groups congregate there and a number of them are masked. Friday at 9pm was highlighted as a particular time of concern.
Action: AS would make a point of patrolling the rec. at this time. He advised taking the longer route round the rec. that was better lit.
Any Other Business
- Concerns were expressed about a particular shop on Mitcham Lane (selling second-hand furniture etc) being a front for laundering money and/or selling drugs. A number of people agreed that suspicious activity was taking place there. AS said they would welcome further information.
- Issues regarding bail hostels/hostels for ex-prisoners: concern expressed about a hostel on Leverson/Blegborough (ASB, threats of violence etc.) – were they allowed to operate there, especially as it was backing on to a school. MB explained that it was the landlord’s responsibility but residents said this landlord was himself abusive and threatening. It was advised that if there was ASB or crime being committed, to report it.
- SS highlighted a number of upcoming local events:
- Country music festival-Enable- tooting common- saturday 5th sunday 6th July
- Art loan event- Spout Arts moyser/ thursday 10th- saturday 12th July
- Bake sale Friday 18th Furedown primary
- Summer fair furzedown Primary school friday 11th July
- 50 year celebration of furzedown project saturday 12th
- He also invited people to join the SNT panel.
Source: the meeting-minutes document supplied to the Furzedown Safer Neighbourhood Panel website. The source document does not state a separate draft/approved status, so this page labels it simply as published meeting minutes.