The Kenley Ward Panel met on 31st July at Rokewood Court Care Home.
The Kenley Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) reported on progress against the community safety priorities that were set at the April Ward Panel Meeting.
- Poster about domestic abuse has been put in the SNT Newsletter
- A dog behaviour awareness session took place on Kenley Common
- The Kenley Memorial Hall, Old Lodge Lane Baptist Church and Parish Church do send any community event dates to the SNT but at least a month’s notice is needed and ideally much longer
- The MPS Framework had been sent out to all listed members with no response. Members who attend meetings will be asked to complete page 10
- Members of the Ward Panel are keen to include more residents from across Purley, including representatives from the various Residents Associations
- As part of its priority to highlight the impact domestic violence, the SNT were keen to include an article in the next edition of the KENDRA magazine, an also to include it as a focus item at a ‘Cuppa with a Copper’ event.
The SNT provided a report on crime and community concerns. The Kenley Incidents Map and Crime Statistics for April, May and June 2023 were discussed and in future it was agreed to include the Crime Statistics from the previous year to compare ‘like’ periods. Statistics always available on the Met Police website (Monthly Crime Data New Cats | Tableau Public SNT Kenley).
A report was given on the agreed community safety priorities of the previous quarter:
Violence against the person
- The number of dangerous dog incidents had increased; these were either not on leads or their owner was not controlling them. Most took place on Kenley Aerodrome, some near Old Lodge Lane block of flats. Strong advice was given to keep dogs on a lead when walking in open public spaces
- Malicious communications is an umbrella term to cover social media and the ‘not in person’ crimes. Numbers had increased since the last quarter
- Domestic abuse. Discussion took place about the Council’s Violence against Women and Girls Strategy that was commissioned in January 2023 and how this related to the Met Police and the SNT Wards. The Strategy is being developed as Croydon has the highest domestic homicide rate and a more joined-up way of dealing with this is needed with collaboration rather than individual organisations responding separately. The Family Justice Service alone has 100 referrals per month and putting something in place for prevention is greatly needed. The strategy is at the consultation stage involving the Met Police, Council, health and charitable organisations and businesses. It is due to be published in January 2024.Within Kenley, the subject of domestic abuse still needs to be highlighted to build on the initial poster / awareness raising action already done. But also, other help that is available to enable people to feel safe walking the streets and to report crime. Examples mentioned were: ‘Walk and Talk’, ‘Streetsafe’ and ‘Fearless.org’. Although these had been promoted, there was little take-up. It was agreed to raise awareness about these initiatives, including within the two Community Hubs.
Burglary offences
- The number of burglaries had reduced, as usual in the summer months, but people were still leaving their premises unsecured.
Vehicle offences
- Vehicle offences had increased. Theft of number plates had increased. People needed to ensure they were screwed on with special screws (available from Halfords) rather than stuck on.
The Ward Panel considered priorities and actions for the next quarter and it was agreed that these were to remain the same:
- Violence against the person.
- Burglary offences.
- Vehicle offences.
The next meeting will take place at 6.30pm on Tuesday 10th October at Rokewood Court Care Home. All Kenley residents are welcome to attend.
The Kenley SNT send out a regular newsletter providing an update about crime and policing information in the Kenley area
If you would like to receive the monthly update and get the latest statistics and information, please email the team and ask to be on the mailing list: [email protected]
See below for the July newsletter.
