The total number of reported crimes in this area continued to fall in 2013 – but the bad news is that for some crimes (including burglary) there has been an increase. Our Labour councillors Mary Watson, Aftab Razaq and Angeliki Stogia are in constant touch with the local neighbourhood police unit, passing on concerns from local residents which have been raised on the doorstep or at their weekly councillors’ surgeries.
“The police could do more to improve communication with the public, especially victims of crime who have often had a terrible experience” says Mary, “I’m encouraging them to hold more public meetings, like the one at the BMHC in February, and to keep victims informed of the progress of their investigations”. But the police need more information from the public too. “We can all help by calling the non-emergency number 101 to report any suspicious behaviour” adds Mary.