Forum Topic

Brook Road North Rail Footbridge - Illegal Activity

The rail footbridge connecting Brook Road North seems to have become a hive of illegal activity.  Besides the base of the bridge being a flytipping hotspot for quite some time, the bridge itself is now a gathering spot for those dealing and taking drugs as well as to exchange the contents of delivery boxes that have been stolen from peoples front doors. It is also being regularly used as a toilet. 

Mark Skuse ● 36d13 Comments

Guy’s answer rather shows up how not having a proper police presence simply allows the criminals to get away with it. CCTV never arrested anyone or stopped a crime happening, even if perpetrators are apprehended later. Bit late then for the victims.

Simon Hayes ● 24d

What time are the drug dealers & porch pirates active on the bridge? (Asking for a friend so she can avoid walking there) Did they give you a menu and prices at all (asking for a friend who thinks Drugs should be legalised and wants to figure out income from tax opportunities for the UK)

Graham Cooper ● 24d

You know why because I have told you several times.We do use CCTV on that bridge but like in most places it it doesn't work.We experimented with this many times including publicising the videos on social media, but we never got a single occasion of anyone recognising a perpetrator. The police do a bit better, but only for serious offences.In fact, there is a fat loss in prosecuting: the one I remember involved surveillance over several months. Some pictures (mainly of vehicles and reg nos) allowed a case to be constructed after much time from council officers and lawyers. A year or two later it got to court and the offender was got bang to rights for one offence (of no doubt many) and was fined ~ £4000.

Guy Lambert ● 24d

If the local Police Forces are aware thatthe Head of their Trades Union (the Police Federation)is earning over £700,000 per annum they might be a bit peevedto the extent of taking some matters casually.

Jim Lawes ● 25d

No profit in it perhaps. I think you have hit the nail on the head.

Nicholas Beard ● 26d

They can find super high definition tiny camera to " Count Cars" or to fine registered road users, and use "Traffic Survey' with out being specific as to Why?But somehow, when it comes to using them in areas of real problems that impede on safety and security and the issues that drugs create be it gang crime or addiction victims, it's  not possible.Why is that?    No profit in it perhaps?

Raymond Havelock ● 26d

As I mentioned elsewhere, this is 'dealt with' by the local police but it never makes a long term difference.That is why I support a new approach to controlling the drug trade.The current approach has not changed for over 40 years since I was a student and a huge proportion of police time is spent on failing to control the drug trade.For many years there was no lighting on that bridge, whch made it worse. I managed to get that fixed a couple of years ago after working at it for about 8 years!

Guy Lambert ● 27d

I gave this info to the police via the police ward panel and they said "Don’t put yourself in harms way by taking a photo, but if you can say small/tall, male/female, black/browb/white, distinctive clothing/trainers etc, it all helps." If you want to dm me I will pass it on (click on my name and give the message a title, otherwise it just does not send it)

Iris Hill ● 28d

The real question is that if it is 'known and long known' , why the heck has nothing been done about it ?I never walk that way and no will any of the family. Yet it is a very useful link.Little wonder Brentford is so divided when it could be less so. So why after all this time is nothing done about the illegal and antisocial and malevolent activity?

Raymond Havelock ● 32d

Simon Hayes observed:" Ah, thin skin Lambert is back. Good to see you know where the drug trades go in. Will be useful should Polanski turn up on your doorstep."...That I believe is not only game, set, and match; but you also get to keep the balls, rackets, and net.  michael adams (not Simon Hayes mum)

Michael Adams ● 36d

Ah, thin skin Lambert is back. Probably a reason why you live alone.Good to see you know where the drug trades go in. Will be useful should Polanski turn up on your doorstep.

Simon Hayes ● 36d

Mark, that corner has been a centre for drug trade for years. In fact a year or two ago we cleared out the grassy are and some planting was added but last time I looked it had not thrived. Will take another look.If you see illegal activity (of any sort) call 101 and give me details guy.lambert@hounslow.gov.uk Ignore Simon Hayes. Everybody does except I suppose his mum.

Guy Lambert ● 36d

Sounds grim.You checked it’s not just the local Green activists preparing for the election?

Simon Hayes ● 36d