The Metropolitan Police will host a public meeting in North London later this month to address growing concerns within the community about the rise of drug and knife crime. It comes following a string of high profile stabbings, which has left many residents worried about their safety.
The meeting is set to take place from 6:30pm to 9pm on January 27 at the Grand Hall in Brent Council’s Civic Centre, as well as being live streamed on the council website. Residents will get the opportunity to raise their concerns with Chief Superintendent Sara Leach, who will outline what the police are doing to make the borough a safer place for residents.
Earlier this month, a similar meeting organised by Brent Council and the police was held at Willesden Green library after Recorda Davey-Ann Clarke, 35, was fatally stabbed on Linacre Road in December. It was attended by around 120 members of the public who were looking for answers to what is being done to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour.
Recorda Davey-Ann Clarke, 35, tragically passed away in an ambulance on the way to the hospital
(Image: Metropolitan Police)
In a comment to local blog site Wembley Matters, one resident who attended the meeting decried the ‘systemic and escalating neglect’ of the community, They added: “When a community begins to be neglected, it undoubtedly attracts more anti-social behaviours.”
The attack in Willesden is just one of many that have happened in the borough over the last few months alone. Two people were hospitalised after a stabbing on Kilburn High Road on January 5, whilst a 14-year-old boy was taken to hospital with a stab wound after an attack in Roundwood Park in Willesden.
However, it is not just incidents of knife crime that is causing residents to feel they are being neglected. Issues with drug-related anti-social behaviour, flytipping, and pavement repairs were also raised as reasons residents are feeling less safe in the area, with locals now wanting greater action taken by both the police and the council to address their concerns.
The Willesden resident added: “We do not want yet another talking shop meeting. We would like to see action, which will mean the council, the police and residents working together on short and longer term plans for improving general safety in the area. […] We understand that there are cut backs, however neglecting residents safety will eventually cost more in the long run.”
A meeting was held earlier this month in Willesden following the fatal stabbing of a man in the area
(Image: Cllr Saqlain Choudry)
The meeting on January 27 has been organised by the Brent Safer Neighbourhood Board (SNB), which is made up of community members and partners, including the council. Its role is to scrutinise the police and enable the community to better engage with officers. It will outline how the police are working alongside the council, local partners, and the community to make the borough ‘safer for everyone’, according to Brent Council.
Attendees will also have an opportunity to meet and ask questions of local police sergeants, police officers, council officers, addiction recovery advocates, and support workers. These representatives will share their ongoing efforts to tackle drug and knife crime and ask for feedback on how they can better connect with local communities. Following the meeting, the SNB will work with the police to ensure action is taken on the issues raised by residents.
Cabinet Member for Public Safety and Partnerships, Cllr Harbi Farah, said: “This is an opportunity to hear what has already been done in Brent on these community safety priorities, find out how organisations and individuals can help reduce drug use and knife carrying, and suggest ways forward.”
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