High Street SNT Ward Panel MINUTES 7th December 2021

Meeting held at Blackhorse Road Baptist Church

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Attendees:

1. Philip Herlihy, (Campbell Road, Chair)
2. Serg Asad Choudhry
3. PC Tom Beckett
4. Rev. Malcolm Patten (Cassiobury Rd, Minutes)
5. Helen Jackson (Cleveland Park Ave) Joined on zoom
6. Jason Bell (Waltham Forest Council ASB team)
7. Mo Yusuf  (Essex Close)
8. Cllr Raja Anwar

Apologies for Absence

• Jacquie Sheehy
• Alice Taylor-Rugman
• Cllr Liaquat Ali

Introduction

• Meeting guidelines were read
• Minutes - Malcolm volunteered
• New members in post were welcomed to their first meeting - Sergeant Asad Choudhry and Jason Bell (LBWF ASB team).

Actions & Matters Arising

• Concerns about an L&Q tenancy near Essex Close are continuing

Police Report & discussion

Sergeant Choudhry took us through the crime maps (quarterly figures). Key points:

1. Bank had alerted police to a suspicious withdrawal of cash by vulnerable elderly gentlemen. Was proved to be a pressured withdrawal by ‘roof contractors’ who were arrested. CID investigating. Encouragement to alert elderly people in our neighbourhoods to this scam.
2. Police making progress targeting ‘hotspots’ where harassment towards women take place. 32 CPWs (Community Protection Warnings) issued to offenders.
3. E-scooters - 3 have been seized. Met Police guidance changed to ‘stop, engage, explain’ to those riding dangerously/aggressively rather than seizing scooters.
4. Significant reduction of robberies (note that this doesn’t include ‘snatches’)
5. Question about Coppermill Park (allegation of sexual assault) incident that closed park for a few days. Ongoing investigation so Police unable to say any more about it.
6. Question about Police Team pics on website - Sergeant Choudhry reluctant due to the number of plain clothes ops that they undertake using SNT.
7. Essex Close: ongoing issue with car in car park used for storing drugs. Action being taken by ASB team to remove it. Police suggested there may be a quicker way - #Action: to be followed up between Serg. Choudhry and Jason Bell. 

ASB Report (Jason Bell)

1. Dealing with rough sleepers in Sainsbury’s stairwell. Working with Police and Streetlink to resolve. Also issue at rear of library.
2. Working to discourage drug dealing around Gillards Mews, Hatherley Mews and Melford Rd.
3. A brothel had been closed down on the High Street.

Any Other Business

1. Helen raised concern about representation on Ward Panel. Would invite new members through Mutual Aid group and other networks. Noted that this was a key concern going forward. Malcolm noted that one of the ideas of having ‘co-chairs’ was to give opportunity for others to take on the role - Helen was unable to at present but Mo was willing to consider it (either Philip or Malcolm would step aside).  Serg Choudhry keen to see number of regular members rise to 12 or 15 though others could come to meetings and contribute. Regular members would be ‘known’ and ‘vetted’. #Action: Phil and Serg Choudhry to talk about governance issues.  Some thoughts shared about how we could facilitate wider public meetings or opportunities for face to face contact with SNT. Consider further at next meeting.
2. Ward boundary changes - not sure how this will affect SN Policing teams as yet.

Ward Priorities

Agreed:

• Robbery & Distraction theft (on run up to Christmas)
• VAWG (Violence Against Women & Girls)
• Essex Close - deal with drugs in car park issue.

Next meeting

Tuesday 15th Feb, 6.30pm in person at Blackhorse Road Baptist Church. (Serg Choudhry requested meetings every 2 months; #Action: PC Beckett to find out if Mall offices available for use again)

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