There has been considerable activity over the last month, the police, council, and charities have been working together and overall the general view is that the area is returning to normality. Current evidence shows that some of our known suspects have responded to the coordinated pressure over the last few weeks and are dispersing. This is excellent news.
To give you the flavour of the work in hand: retail outlets, off-licences and cafés in the Dean Gardens area have been visited and encouraged to join the responsible retailer programme. Many are cooperating fully. The aim is to stop retailers selling to people who are in no fit state to consume – this applies particularly to both alcohol and khat. In addition, a massive body of evidence has been accumulated and some ASBOs will be put in front of the courts very shortly and we expect to be serving these orders immediately when they are granted. These will further curtail the known suspects and deter any new suspects on whom intelligence has been built in recent weeks. We are pleased to report that following the increased police resources on the ground has resulted in over 40 arrests and 176 searches being made.
In summary – considerable progress towards the rehabilitation of Dean Gardens is being achieved. We are now planning for returning to normality as the intense joint action programme winds down. We look forward to the area becoming a safer place – day and night – a green space in West Ealing that is a central part of the neighbourhood. If you are aware of any anti-social behaviour or drug related incident, you can report it by ringing 101 (this number is for all calls to the police other than emergencies – for which please ring 999). 101 will get you through to the Metropolitan Police who will pass the details to a duty officer in Ealing for collation by our intelligence team.
Thank you.
Patrick Chapman,
Walpole SNT Focus Panel Chair
18th November 2011