Forest

Welcome to Met Engage,

We're transforming the Met to become a service that truly delivers for you.

Through our new platform Met Engage you can get to know your local officers, help shape how we police your local area and have direct access to key information and advice.

This isn't just a platform for us to tell you what we're doing in your area, it's an opportunity for you to tell us what's concerning you most so we can take action on the things that truly matter to you.

Forest Safer Neighbourhoods Team

Your Safer Neighbourhoods Team is a group of Met police officers dedicated to serving your community. The team is made up of officers based in your area or 'ward', supported by additional officers from the wider area.

We work closely with local authorities, community leaders and residents to decide our policing priorities for the area. This helps us to find useful, long-term solutions to local problems, while maintaining our wider focus on reducing crime across London.

To contact to your team about local policing issues, email us at Forest@contact.metengage.co.uk or pick an officer to email below. (Please do not use this contact method to report crime, in an emergency always call 999 or you can report crime online at www.met.police.uk or dial 101).

Paul Donohoe (Metropolitan Police, Sergeant, Leytonstone and Forest wards)

Paul Donohoe

Sergeant

Jayne Howell (Metropolitan Police NEN, Police Constable, Forest ward CYP)

Jayne Howell

Police Constable

Sarah Jackson (Metropolitan Police, Superintendent, Neighbourhoods )

Sarah Jackson

Superintendent

Ioana Novac (Metropolitan Police, Police Constable, Forest Ward)

Ioana Novac

Police Constable

Robert Skingle (Metropolitan Police, Inspector, Waltham Forest)

Robert Skingle

Inspector

Janine Thomas (Metropolitan Police, PCSO, Forest SNT)

Janine Thomas

PCSO

Ana Vasileva (Metropolitan Police, PCSO, Forest Ward)

Ana Vasileva

PCSO

Samira Vasiliu (Metropolitan Police NEN, Police Constable, FOREST)

Samira Vasiliu

Police Constable

Local Priority Issues

We are committed to tackling the issues that matter most to local communities. Based on our conversations with residents, and the issues they have raised with us, our main priorities are:

Priority Action taken

VAWG

S - Increased volume of reports of violence against women and girls.
O - To increase public confidence in Policing, to improve the reporting of crime and the prosecution of offenders.
A - Increased Patrols in hotspot areas such as Hollows Pond to target exposure and related offences.
R - As a MET priority this is a realistic ward priority.

Issued 08 December 2025

High Vis Targeted Patrols in hotspot areas and environs to engage with members of the public to raise awareness on how to protect themselves against such ASB

Actioned 22 January 2026

S - Increased reports of drug activity -Robbery and ASB in and around Essex Rd/Abbotts Park where students from LSC are both victims and the perpetrators of the crimes.
O - To conduct high visibility patrols to increase public confidence, to engage with the youth to deter them from ASB and to prosecute those that would victimise them.
A - To work alongside both our internal and our external partners to achieve our aim
R - This is a realistic priority as safe guarding is a MET priority.

Issued 08 December 2025

To work closely with the schools, schools officer and local authority to conduct Patrols and Plain-clothes visits at areas to target suspects and seek prosecutions.

Actioned 22 January 2026

S - Increase in reports of motor vehicle crime.
O - To reduce crime and to prosecute offenders.
A - To actively patrol to increase public confidence and to target offenders.
R - This is a ward priority set by the ward panel and is a community issues therefore a realistic priority

Issued 08 December 2025

To provide crime prevention advise.

To increase patrols to improve public confidence and to identify and prosecute offenders.

Actioned 22 January 2026

The word cloud below represents the issues raised by residents through their Local Matters survey. We take this into consideration along with discussions with stakeholders, ward panel meetings and conversations with the public when setting our key priorities

What members in Forest are saying are the issues in the area:

Latest Alerts

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Tips for making other people feel safer on the streets

Dear residents of Forest Ward, Some of this advice might seem obvious, but there are ...

Metropolitan Police
10/02/2026 17:12:17

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Wanted Person appeal

Dear residents, We are currently looking for two individuals in relation to a number of firearm a...

Metropolitan Police
06/02/2026 14:03:04

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Bringing Communities Together: Inter Faith Luncheon in Walthamstow

On Thursday 05th February, Superintendent Sarah Jackson hosted an inter‑faith luncheon in Walthamsto...

Metropolitan Police
06/02/2026 12:29:48

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How to spot a pickpocket

Don’t let them pocket it You may have an idea of what a pickpocket looks...

Metropolitan Police
03/02/2026 07:47:42

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Ward Panel Meeting : Wed 22 Apr 18:00

Dear Residents of Forest Ward, Your local policing team looking forward for the next Ward Panel Me...

Metropolitan Police
30/01/2026 13:53:22

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Mobile phone advice

Dear Residents Protect yourself from mobile phone theft Don’t leave y...

Metropolitan Police
29/01/2026 14:13:05

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Police Encounter Panel January 26: Statement & Community Update

Dear Resident, Every quarter, an independent panel review the circumstances and police actions of ...

Metropolitan Police
29/01/2026 11:24:29

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Weapons sweep and VAWG patrols completed on Lea Bridge and Markhouse

Dear Lea Bridge Residents, Lea Bridge SNT conducted a weapons sweep in Thomas Gamuel Park yesterd...

Metropolitan Police
25/01/2026 19:11:21

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Upcoming Events

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Ward Panel meeting

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