Police launch ‘Our Harold Hill’ as part of the Clear Hold Build Initiative.

As part of Havering Police’s ongoing Clear Hold Build initiative in Harold Hill, officers have now branded the project Our Harold Hill.

 The stakeholders discussed how police could include the community in part of the new branded initiative, so they contacted Broadford Primary School in Faringdon Avenue and asked the year 6 students to take part in a logo competition, to design the logo for the Our Harold Hill project.

 Over 90 children took part and the winner was chosen by a panel of representatives including Police, Havering Council, local business owners and community champions.

 Rubie-Rae (11yrs) was our winner and attached is a photo of officers presenting her with her a certificate, a challenge coin and a copy of her winning drawing.  Also present in the photo is the Head Teacher of Broadford Primary, Mrs Nicholls.

 Clear Hold Build was launched in December 2023  It is a three phased multi agency problem solving approach to crime and the drivers of crime in an area with the Metropolitan Police, statutory partner agencies, private sector, voluntary sector, local businesses and community all working together.

 The initiative was launched in response to the rise in violence, drugs, theft and ASB in Harold Hill.   

CHB is a partnership approach, it is designed to sustainably reduce Serious and Organised Crime and the related crime and harm it drives in our communities. The CHB approach brings together the public, private, and voluntary sectors, and puts the community at the heart of the response. It ensures that a unified approach is delivered to make our communities safer places to live and work.

 ‘Clear’ means targeted activity and crime disruption, working with partners

‘Hold’ means stabilising the area to stop criminals moving in to fill the void

‘Build’ means community-driven action to address the causes of criminality and prevent it from happening again

 Since launch of the CLEAR phase we have had made a huge difference;

• Over 50 arrests for offences including possession with the intent to supply class A/B drugs, possession of offensive weapons, GBH, burglary, cultivation of cannabis, theft and breach of court orders.

• Officers have executed 15 warrants with over £1m worth of drugs being seized, weapons recovered and offenders arrested and charged for drugs supply and production. 

•  Cracked down on violent and brazen shoplifting offences in Farnham Road, Harold Hill, by working closely with shop keepers and workers to identify and arrest prolific offenders.

• Secured numerous custodial sentences at court and Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) to prevent offenders returning to the area and positively diverting them into drugs and alcohol support schemes. 

• Seen a 50% reduction in reported offences in Farnham Road as well as a notable reduction in ASB.

 Acting Chief Inspector Charlie Routley, tactical lead for Clear Hold Build in Havering, said: “We have seen some fantastic results as part of our Clear phase here in Harold Hill. By working alongside the community and targeting the issues that matter most to them we have seen a reduction in crime and offenders being brought to justice. It is now vital that we maintain this reduction as we begin to move into the Hold phase of the initiative. This is why we were keen to brand the project and involve the community even more. Our Harold Hill should resonate with all residents of Harold Hill. There is a real community spirit in this area and we need to continue to work together to make this area a safer place to live, work and visit. With the partnership work between the police, the council and, most importantly, the community, we have seen that together we can achieve great things. I would like to thank Broadford Primary School and the students who took part in designing the logo for Our Harold Hill. Rubie-Rae’s drawing really captures the best parts of Harold Hill and I am sure everyone will agree it is perfect. Well done!”

 Julia Lopez, MP for Hornchurch and Upminster said: “The Clear, Hold, Build project, or Our Harold Hill as it will now be known, is a hugely important project that is already having a real impact in improving the safety of Harold Hill residents. As we move from the ‘Clear’ phase of the project, where the focus has been on tackling persistent crime, we will now be looking to work closely with community groups and members to help deliver lasting changes of which we can all be proud. Rubie-Rae’s beautiful design, taking inspiration from the picturesque Dagnam Park and including the famous Harold Hill deer, will help encourage people to support this brilliant project. To celebrate Rubie-Rae’s success, I have invited her and her family to join me for some tea and cake here in the Palace of Westminster, followed by a tour of Parliament, after summer recess in September”

Ruby-Rae getting her certificate from Police officers and Head Teacher Mrs Nicholls.

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