Havering Council and Havering Community Safety Partnership have hosted the annual crime summit to discuss strategies for tackling crime and improving safety in the borough.
Havering Council, alongside the Havering Community Safety Partnership, held its annual crime summit at the Town Hall in Romford. The event, attended by approximately 80 residents, provided a platform for key stakeholders and local communities to discuss strategies for tackling crime and improving safety in the borough.
A central theme of the summit was the acknowledgment that Havering remains one of London’s safest boroughs, with overall crime rates declining in 2024 compared to 2023. Despite this positive trend, concerns about the fear of crime among residents were prominently discussed. The Partnership reaffirmed its commitment to working closely with the community to address these concerns and foster a sense of safety.
The summit featured presentations by representatives from Havering Council and the Metropolitan Police, focusing on the priorities outlined in the Partnership’s community safety review. This included the unveiling of a refreshed three-year strategic plan aimed at addressing critical issues affecting the borough.
Key priorities highlighted included reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in vulnerable neighbourhoods and town centres, tackling violence against women and girls as well as all genders, combating youth crime and exploitation, improving residents’ perceptions of safety, and reducing reoffending, particularly in cases involving substance misuse.
Speakers at the event included Diane Egan, Havering Council’s Community Safety Intelligence Manager; Chris McAvoy, the Council’s Head of Enforcement and Safety; Jane Eastaff, Enforcement Manager; and Chris Stannett, Community Safety Officer. They provided insights into ongoing initiatives, including efforts to support young people during peak hours of vulnerability. To address youth crime, the Council and police are collaborating with youth organisations to offer activity programmes during times when young people are most likely to be victims or perpetrators of crime.
A central theme of the summit was the acknowledgment that Havering remains one of London’s safest boroughs, with overall crime rates declining in 2024 compared to 2023.
The summit also shed light on advancements in upgrading CCTV facilities across the borough, which aim to enhance crime prevention and detection. Attendees were informed about the roles of various agencies within the Partnership and guidance on how to report different issues effectively.
An interactive session allowed residents to directly address concerns with a panel that included Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council; Andrew Blake-Herbert, the Council’s Chief Executive; and Superintendent Simon Hutchison of the Metropolitan Police. Among the issues raised were fly-tipping in Harold Hill, the persistent fear of crime, and the need for visible enforcement action when reports are made. The panel reassured attendees that their concerns would be taken seriously, with specific cases being followed up individually.
“I don’t underestimate the fear of crime in Havering and our teams are working hard to respond and tackle the issues that matter to the communities we serve.”
-Simon Hutchison, Havering Superintendent
Councillor Morgon expressed gratitude for the active participation of residents at the summit, noting the importance of collaboration between the Council, its partners, and the community. “It was good to see so many people at the summit and for us all to discuss the work being carried out daily to make our borough a safer place. We also got the chance to hear directly from residents about issues affecting them, including anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime. These events are vital in fostering dialogue and finding solutions to create a safer borough for everyone to live, work, and go to school in.”
The summit was organised as part of the Council’s “Where We Live” campaign, which encourages residents and community groups to join forces with the Council to create a cleaner, safer environment. This initiative highlights the importance of community safety and enforcement in achieving these goals.Superintendent Simon Hutchison of the East Area Basic Command Unit praised the summit for providing a valuable opportunity for residents to engage with the Partnership. “Taking part in the summit offers a great platform for local people to meet the Havering Community Safety Partnership and share their concerns. I understand the fear of crime in Havering, and our teams are working tirelessly to address the issues that matter most to our communities. We are arresting more offenders, particularly those causing the most harm, and collaborating closely with the local authority and partner agencies to resolve problems. This event was an opportunity to listen to residents, share what our teams are doing, and encourage reporting of crime and anti-social behaviour.”
