Working together to tackle crime

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Police Team Part-funded by Council Tackles Crime

Fraud, assaults, counterfeit goods, drug dealers, burglary and metal theft are just some of the issues being tackled by the new partnership police team, part-funded by the council.

The team was set up in October, as part of a match-funding deal with the Metropolitan Police, and since then, have been working with the council to tackle crime in the borough.

 The nine PCs and one sergeant are based at the Civic Centre, and work with other council services to tackle crime in town centres, green spaces, housing estates.

 Cllr Ed Mayne, cabinet member for community safety and regulatory services at the council, said:

 "Taking action against crime is the top priority for the council, which is why we made it our number one pledge for what we want to achieve for local people.

 "We have a good track record of working with others such as the police, social housing providers and local businesses to fight crime, but we wanted to do more.

 “This team have already proven to be a great asset for the local community, and shows we are serious about tackling crime in the borough."

 Recent successes include:

·        Working with the councils’ parking and fraud teams to tackle blue badge fraud. One part of this operation saw three arrests for various offences, a vehicle seized, two false benefit claimants stopped, and further cases are still being investigated.

·        Working with local police and council officers, the team have been proactively educating and enforcing the controlled drinking zone around Beaversfield Park. The council’s parks contractors have cut back bushes and trees to improve visibility into areas where crime has taken place. As a result there has been positive feedback from the local community, and crime in the surrounding streets has reduced.

·        Tivoli Road Estate has had an issue with anti-social behaviour, and Hounslow Homes staff were assaulted. Increased patrols took place to reassure the community, and the suspect has since been arrested and charged. Hounslow Homes are now looking at possible injunctions and repossessions relating to that family concerned.

·        Various operations in partnership with the council’s trading standards team, including an operation at Western International Market where several tonnes of counterfeit goods were seized. At one stall alone more than 250kg of counterfeit music and film DVD/CDs were confiscated.

·        A search warrant was obtained after the council highlighted an £18k fraud of unpaid business rent on Brentford High Street. A search warrant was obtained and executed. One arrest was made for fraud offences and a large quantity of correspondence seized for intelligence purposes.

·        Currently working on search warrants with respect to drug dealing on the Haverfield Estate.

·        Working with local police in Hounslow High Street, helped to obtain two search warrants to disrupt the supply of drugs in the community. One arrest was made, and the suspect charged and remanded to court. A cannabis factory and up to 2kg of amphetamine was taken. The value of the drugs seized is estimated to be in excess of £50, 000.

·        Visits to main scrap metal dealers to deter stolen metal entering the system, and working with "Smartwater" to identify stolen cable.

·        Running spot checks to find uninsured vehicles and drivers. Several vehicles seized, and arrests also made for various offences as part of this operation.

·        The team have also made arrests from some old fashioned policing - being out there making the streets safer. Arrests cover crimes such as burglary, handling stolen goods, and arresting people wanted for various offences.

 

February 9, 2012