Published: Tuesday 14 February 2023
A month-long campaign to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in Earl’s Court has resulted in a dramatic increase in incidents resolved by Kensington and Chelsea Council.
Over four weeks in November and December, the Council boosted resources in the area to better understand the most common crimes and anti-social behaviour incidents facing residents. A total of 368 incidents, ranging from begging and fly-tipping to cycling on pavements and noisy music, were dealt with – a 39 per cent rise compared with the previous month.
The project saw increased police and community warden patrols and included a survey of 75 residents and 42 business owners whose major concerns are drug use, anti-social behaviour, begging and littering.
Survey results show that residents think more police presence would help them to feel safer and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. Feedback from 25 young people showed that they would like to see more CCTV and are concerned about litter, recycling and anti-social behaviour linked to licensed premises.
Lead Member for Culture and Community Safety, Cllr Emma Will, said:
“Behaviour like littering and begging can have a really negative impact on residents’ and business owners’ quality of life. Residents told us they had concerns in Earl’s Court which is why we have taken action with this extra resource and research.
“We have already started using the results from this project to deliver a better service to Earl’s Court, prioritising tasks using our Community Safety Wardens and other enforcement services.
“Despite Earl’s Court already having some of the highest levels of CCTV camera coverage in the borough we will also install an additional camera later this year.”
The campaign was designed following concerns raised by Earl’s Court residents, business owners and ward Councillors. We now have a better understanding of the issues on the ground and can see where we can tackle them.
Going forward, with the police, we will form an “innovation hub” session with residents and Councillors to generate other ideas for tackling community safety issues in Earl’s Court.
Find out how our three-year Community Safety Plan sets out how the multi-agency Safer Kensington and Chelsea Partnership will address crime and disorder in the borough.