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Here’s a quick update on anti-social behaviour locally. We know it can be distressing, but we’re working closely with partners to make the area safer and support residents.
Working Together to Keep Our Communities Safe
Over recent months, we have been busy obtaining Closure Orders to tackle serious anti-social behaviour, drug-related activity, criminality and safeguarding concerns across our neighbourhoods. If you see something that does not look right, please let us know. Do not suffer in silence.
You may be reluctant to get involved or wonder what information the police actually need. The reality is that even small pieces of information can help us build a bigger picture and protect vulnerable people and our communities. Closure Orders are civil proceedings and we can rely on a range of evidence, including professional witness testimony and hearsay evidence. This means that residents can help us without necessarily having to attend court.
Before a Closure Order is ever considered, there is often a significant amount of partnership work taking place behind the scenes. We work closely with housing providers, the council, mental health services, adult social care and other agencies to understand the circumstances and identify the most appropriate way forward. Our aim is always to support and safeguard individuals where possible.
We recognise that many people at the centre of these issues can be vulnerable. In some cases, they may be victims of exploitation through cuckooing, drug activity, intimidation or coercion. We will engage with residents, warn them about concerning behaviour, offer support, and work with partners to help safeguard them. Where someone is being taken advantage of, we will do everything we reasonably can to help them access support and break free from those exploiting them.
However, where individuals are complicit in criminality, continue to ignore warnings, and show no regard for their neighbours or the wider community, we will take action. We do not make applications for Closure Orders lightly. They are a serious intervention and are only pursued when necessary. That said, if someone is causing fear, distress and harm to local residents, compromising the safety of others and refusing opportunities to change, we will not tolerate it and will take robust action to protect the community.
Where appropriate, provisions are often made to help individuals access more suitable accommodation and support. This can include working with housing providers and local authorities to secure supported living arrangements, including accommodation with 24-hour staff support. This helps safeguard vulnerable individuals whilst also protecting residents from ongoing anti-social behaviour and criminality.
You may have heard the term cuckooing. This is where criminals take over the home of a vulnerable person to commit criminal activity. Signs may include:
• Frequent visitors at all hours of the day and night.
• Short stay visits involving numerous people.
• Drug use or suspected drug dealing linked to an address.
• Increased noise, disorder or anti-social behaviour.
• A resident appearing withdrawn, frightened or under the control of others.
• Unfamiliar individuals regularly coming and going from a property.
If something does not feel right, it probably warrants reporting.
All we may need is an email outlining what you have seen, heard or experienced, how it is affecting you or the wider community, and any concerns you have regarding welfare, anti-social behaviour or criminality. Information can often be provided confidentially and every report helps us better understand what is happening.
Closure Orders are a powerful tool. They can restore peace to residents, disrupt criminal activity, safeguard vulnerable people and help communities feel safe again. We take all reports of anti-social behaviour seriously and thoroughly assess the wider picture before making decisions.
Finally, we would like to thank everyone who has come forward this year. Whether you have spoken to an officer, submitted information, provided a statement or simply sent us an email, your information has helped make a real difference. We genuinely could not achieve these outcomes without the support of our communities.
Please continue to get in touch if you have concerns. No question is silly, no concern is too small, and we are here for you. Together, we can continue making our neighbourhoods safer places to live.
Thank you for your continued support.
#SaferNeighbourhoods #ClosureOrders #CommunitySafety #WorkingTogether #ASB #CuckooingAwareness #MetEngage
 Across London we’ve put hundreds more officers on the frontlines of community crime-fighting teams, upping visible patrols in the right ‘hot spots’ so we can deter and catch criminals - including with new tech like live facial recognition cameras, drones and e-bikes. Antisocial behaviour can come in many forms and can require support from more organisations than just the police. A full list of what we categorise as antisocial behaviour is available on our website. If you have experienced anti-social behaviour or have information regarding an incident, please report it using our online reporting tools at https://www.met.police.uk or call the non-emergency number 101. Alternatively, you can stay 100% anonymous by contacting the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via their untraceable online form at www.crimestoppers-uk.org Please consider getting involved by registering for these messages, this will enable you to contribute to the local priority survey. We may be unaware of issues that you would like us to focus on. Take a few minutes to securely and privately register and have your say using the button below, this will mean we can focus on things that matter to you. 
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