SAFER COMMUNTIES
regularly patrol our parks, to make sure
rules are respected and that everyone
can enjoy the borough’s green spaces.
SAFER COMMUNITIES TEAM
These officers look at all kinds of antisocial behaviour within the borough,
working directly with the police, mental
health organisations, social services
and many other agencies to find a
resolution to cases that, often, are very
complex. The safer communities team
also has extra enforcement powers
which complement the work of the
noise and nuisance Team, including
working to serve injunctions, ASBOs
(anti-social behaviour orders) and
eviction proceedings.
DRIVEN RAVING MAD
These three services recently
combined forces to deal with
widespread complaints from residents
in Acton who had endured repeated
sleepless nights as they were disturbed
by loud, pounding music from raves
taking place inside empty
commercial properties.
The noise and nuisance team
went down to the sites on a night
when complaints were made, and
gathered evidence from their own
observations and from residents and
neighbouring businesses.
This evidence was passed to
the safer communities team, which
used it, together with additional
intelligence from the police, to
successfully initiate a legal eviction.
The officers oversaw the actual
eviction, with the police. Once
emptied, the properties were
guarded by a ParkGuard team
until it was properly secured.
NIGHTMARE NEIGHBOURS
Another recent case centred
on a flat that was attracting
numerous complaints about
excessively loud music, and
groups of young men congregating
in intimidating groups in hallways
and communal areas nearby.
The noise and nuisance team had
previously taken action against the
occupier by serving an enforcement
notice. Nevertheless, the allegations
continued. ParkGuard officers were
tasked with patrolling the area – and
they gathered evidence as they did so,
including approaching the youths and
getting their names and addresses.
This information was forwarded to the
safer communities team. Subsequent
police checks on the names and
addresses provided further evidence
against the occupier of the flat, and
legal action was put into motion.
Council noise
and nuisance
team officers
MORE INFO
■
Visit www.ealing.gov.uk/
communitysafety
■
Noise and nuisance:
Call 020 8825 8111 or email
[email protected]
■
Safer communities:
Call 020 8825 5994 or email
[email protected]
PROSTITUTION
FIREWORKS
HALLOWEEN
Street prostitution has become
a problem in certain parts of the
borough. Our reporter joined a local
police team for a few hours one
evening to get some insight.
With thousands of fireworks likely
to be sold across the borough in
the coming months for a variety of
traditional festivals, it is important
to stay safe while you enjoy the fun.
For simple rules, and the law, visit
www.ealing.gov.uk/staysafe
If you find trick or treating at
Halloween intimidating and would
like to ask people not to knock on
your door, there is a handy poster
available to download and print at
www.ealing.gov.uk/staysafe which
you can display in your window.
To read the full story, click here
around ealing
Autumn 2014
37