Hammersmith Broadway Safer Neighbourhood Team


August update on what is happening in the area

Welcome to the August edition of the Hammersmith Broadway Safer Neighbourhood Team newsletter.

CRACK HOUSE CLOSURE
Officers from your local SNT team were successful in obtaining a 3-month ‘crack-house’ closure order on a property in IFFLEY ROAD. PC 129FH SAINT attended West London Magistrates Court and the order was granted by the Magistrate closing the property for a period of 3 months to enable the Housing Association the time they need to permanently evict the occupier. This is the 5th ‘crack’ house closure that PC SAINT has been successful with in the past 12 months. If you have any information with regard to drugs activity in your neighbourhood then please call the team.

DRUGS
One of our ward priorities is drug use and supply and the team have been working hard over the past month targeting the individuals concerned with the supply and use of controlled drugs. In July officers were on foot patrol within the ward when they walked past an address that smelt strongly of cannabis. Officers conducted checks on the address and as a result obtained a search warrant from West London Magistrates Court the same day. Later in the afternoon the warrant was executed and a large quantity of herbal cannabis was discovered in the kitchen along with other paraphernalia such as weighing scales and small plastic zip seal bags. The cannabis was discovered in a quality street tin. The occupier was arrested on suspicion of possessing a controlled drug with intent to supply and has been released on police bail to allow for further investigation.

DRUG DEALER
Officers from your Hammersmith Broadway SNT conducted a stop of a male in TRUSSLEY ROAD in July. The male was stopped as he was cycling on the footpath and officers were intending to warn the male and send him on his way. However, it became apparent that the male was very nervous and was showing signs of recent drug usage. When the suspect was informed he was going to be searched, he became very nervous to the point that he ran off from officers! A foot pursuit took place and the male was eventually detained in a restaurant in GOLDHAWK ROAD. He was seen to deposit a large roll of cash behind a curtain in the restaurant. The suspect was subsequently arrested for obstruction of a drug search and on suspicion of money laundering. When officers arrived in custody the cash was counted and it amounted to £1,325 in used sterling bills. The cash was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act and officers from The Financial Investigations Unit at Hammersmith Police Station are currently investigating the case. It is believed the cash is the proceeds of selling drugs and the suspect will have to prove it has come from a legitimate source otherwise a court can order permanent forfeiture of the money.

SEXUAL OFFENCES
A registered sex offender was arrested by your SNT team in July following reports of a male hanging around outside a local school. The male was found to have a sexual offences prevention order against him, which meant he was not supposed to have contact with minors. The suspect’s home address was searched and computer equipment was seized. A full investigation was launched and the suspect was found in possession of more than 3000 indecent images of children and over 50 indecent videos of children. The case is being handled by the Metropolitan police specialist child protection team and has been committed to Crown Court and awaits trial.

SQUATTERS
A property in CAMBRIDGE GROVE that was being used by a group of Polish squatters was successfully closed in July bringing an end to the anti social behaviour that was being suffered by other local residents. The owner of the property is awaiting planning permission to re-develop the property and it had been left empty. A group of approximately 6 Polish males moved in. The owner obtained a possession order to take back possession of the property and in late July the Polish males were evicted. The property has subsequently been boarded up and awaits renovation. Your local SNT conducted a raid at the location a couple of months ago and recovered what was believed to be stolen items. The team had received complaints from members of the public in relation to the anti social behaviour and the general state of the surrounding garden areas. Not only has the property been secured but the grounds have also been tidied by the council making it a better environment for all those other residents who live in the immediate area.

BREACH OF ASBO
The team continues to deal positively with those who beg and cause a nuisance of themselves with the town centre. One male has been arrested twice by the team in July for breaching the terms of his ASBO. On one occasion the male attempted to obtain money from two plain clothes members of the team!

MEET THE TEAM
In an effort to meet more local people, the team have arranged a number of drop-in sessions where you can come and discuss any issues that are concerning you. If you do not have any issues, why not simply pop down and meet the officers who patrol the area on a daily basis?
We have arranged with Riverside Studios in Crisp Road to hold a drop-in surgery there on the first Monday of every month between 4pm and 5pm. The next two are to be held on Monday 3rd August 2009 and Monday 7th September 2009.

Separately, we have also arranged with Hammersmith Library in Shepherd’s Bush Road to hold a drop-in surgery there every 3rd Saturday of the month between 11am and 12pm. The next dates for these surgeries are Saturday 15th August 2009 and Saturday 19th September 2009.

In September we will be launching an exciting new initiative in the ward which has been named ‘Street-a-week’ which will see members of your SNT call on every home within the ward in an effort to develop better information and also find out what matters are affecting you most. Look out for further information in your next newsletter!

Please remember that the team can be contacted on 020 8246 2638 and we can also be e-mailed at HammersmithBroadway.SNT@met.police.uk

Westside Support Services

Offering FREE support to women who are experiencing domestic violence through their monthly drop in service in Hammersmith and Fulham Providing professional support and guidance around the issues of domestic violence

Other activities on offer include:
Free holistic therapies
Crèche facilities
Befriending service
Legal advice
Signposting to community resources

For more information Telephone: 0208 996 8800 Email: westside.support@sbhg.co.uk

August 5, 2009