Issue - meetings

The Leader introduced the report on behalf of Councillor Sue Fennimore.  He stressed that after the Covid-19 pandemic, it had always been the Council’s number 1 priority to tackle crime and – despite significant cuts to local government financing and the costs of dealing with the Covid-19 pandemic – the Council invested the largest-ever amount in crime fighting. With the rising levels of violent crime, the Council was determined to crack down on those who preyed on the most vulnerable children.

The Council would merge the Neighbourhood Wardens, Parks Police, Street Scene Enforcement and Highways Enforcement functions into a new single Neighbourhood Enforcement Team. This team would have an expanded team of 72 officers, up from the current 40 undertaking enforcement related roles across the Council, operating round the clock, seven days a week and acting as eyes and ears across the borough for a wide range of issues. The dedicated H&F Gangs, Violence & Exploitation Unit would receive intelligence from patrolling officers to help to better safeguard young people.

The Leader added that this report proposed the single largest investment in Community Safety in H&F’s history which aimed at delivering the most professional and effective local authority enforcement service in London and make H&F safer for everyone.

Councillor Wesley Harcourt added that this report would merge a number of teams from several areas to be part oft this new enforcement team. This would increase the number of officers available by 60%, which was very welcome news. The Police Borough Commander had endorsed this proposal.

The Leader put the recommendations to the vote.

AGREED UNANIMOUSLY BY CABINET:

1.     To agree the creation of a highly visible Integrated Enforcement Team operating seven days a week to patrol H&F and assist the Police to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the Borough.

2.     To approve the investment of up to £4,561,000 per annum in the Integrated Enforcement Team for part year 2020/21 and full year 2021/22, to be funded from existing budgets and S106 developer contributions.