Committee member Peter Wallace attended the recent Police Neighbourhood meeting for Belsize Ward with other community groups. The leading police spokesman, Sergeant Mark McCann of the Belsize Safer Neighbourhood Teams gave a spirited defence of police response times and local crime patterns. Here is Peter’s report:
Belsize Crime; A Police View
“No action, they’re too slow, they are too late” are the common complaints about the police response to break-ins at home or car crime in Belsize Park.
Whatever is happening in the outside world, for break-in victims nothing else is more important than what’s just happened to them. Their initial reaction, “Quick, call the police, action please and fast!”
For the police though, any new urgent demand piles more pressure on thinly-spread resources.
At a recent meeting of Belsize community groups and local police, Sergeant Mark McCann, Camden North Neighbourhoods – Belsize & Gospel Oak Wards, spelled out the reality of policing at present.
While he stressed Belsize Park is one of the safest wards in Camden, he said in July, there were 153 crimes recorded in Belsize Park, of those, 42 were for anti-social behaviour, 23 for shoplifting, 20 for violent and sexual offences and 68 other offences. Fortunately, the figures for drug dealing have gone down.
While Camden has a population of around 220,000 the Belsize ward has around 12,600 residents, the borough’s fifth largest., the amount of calls to the police from Belsize ward is low compared to other areas.
Sgt McCann stated: “Police have to prioritise the most urgent and most serious offences first, where there is a higher risk of harm to an individual. Police Emergency Response teams, police 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, whereas Belsize Safer Neighbourhood Teams work on average 40 hours a week, doing a mixture of shifts during the day, from 7am to midnight.”
“Due to recent budget constraints and global events, police resources have to be managed effectively to meet the demand of all of those who live in and visit London. Belsize SNT work really hard and strive to provide the service the public expects, we understand the frustrations and we do all we can to support the residents of Belsize. We do hope, that the public can see it from our perspective.”
Despite those valid reasons, it’s unlikely there will be much sympathy for the police when the next break-in is reported.
Further information:
Our local police station is Kentish Town, operating from a listed Victorian building , 10-12A Holmes Rd, NW5 3AE. It is open 24hrs and has a public reception desk.
The Safer Neighbourhoods Team is a group of Met police officers dedicated to serving our community. The team is made up of officers based in our area (or ‘ward’), supported by additional officers from the wider area.
They work closely with local authorities, community leaders and residents to decide our policing priorities for the area. This helps find useful, long-term solutions to local problems, while maintaining a wider focus on reducing crime across London.
You can stay informed by signing up to MetEngage, a free messaging service that keeps you connected to what’s happening in your area. Whether its crime updates, safety advice, or news from your local policing team, you’ll get the information that matters to you when it matters most.
Join thousands of others who are already receiving trusted updates from their local police.
You can also join or create a Neighbourhood Watch group.
To report a crime
Does it feel like the situation could get heated or violent very soon? Is someone in immediate danger? Do you need support right away? If so, please call 999 now.
For non-emergency reporting the police say it is quickest to use this online form . Calls to the non-emergency line, 101 often have long waits. There is also a Met Police live chat function though it may not always be operational.
Also see our recent articles on mobile phone thefts and how you can protect yourself and what to do if you are an unfortunate victim
