Havering Police, Romford BID and Havering Council hold day of action across Romford to improve town safety.

21st October 202421st October 2024 Francesca Lilleystone Havering Council, Havering police, romford BID min read

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Romford BID working alongside Havering Police and the local council, held its first “Day of Action” in the town centre on Thursday 17 October.

The event aimed to inform and educate local businesses, workers, and residents about various ways different safety organisations work together in the town and how the community can take steps to improve their own safety. The initiative was part of Romford BID’s ongoing efforts to foster a safer community by providing practical advice and resources on personal and public safety measures.

The day of action began with breakfast briefings in The Liberty at 9.00am, explaining the aims of the day and the objectives of the event. The BID also surveyed local businesses on ways they felt public safety could be improved and anti-social behaviour tackled. The findings and next steps will be shared in due course.

Throughout the day, the Metropolitan Police and My Local Bobby were in the town monitoring and responding to anti-social behaviour. Some key arrests were made, along with various crime related interventions.

Havering Enforcement officers were also involved in the day and engaged with several rough sleepers who were present in the town, offering assistance and accommodation support where needed.

The Police Community Safety Officers had a stall outside Halifax between 10.30am – 11.30am, and outside Barclays between 2.30pm and 3.30pm, where they offered tips to the public about how they could better protect themselves online. Then from 11am – 1pm the public could have a cuppa with a copper in Costa on South Street, where they were able to ask relevant questions about safety measures and practices they could adopt.

In the Mercury Mall there was a joint patrol from the police and the Mercury’s security team between 11.30am – 1pm. Then between 12.30pm – 1.30pm on South Street free bike marking was taking place, to help reduce bike theft in the town. Further joint patrols with the police, shopping centre security teams, My Local Bobby and Havering Enforcement took place in the afternoon throughout the town centre, The Liberty and The Brewery.

Julie Frost, Romford BID Director said, “Town safety is the foundation of a thriving community. A visible and proactive security presence from the police, Havering Enforcement, Community Safety Officers, My Local Bobby, and centre security teams not only deters crime but also fosters a sense of security that allows businesses to flourish and residents to feel at ease in their daily lives. This is the first event of this kind we have held but given its very positive reception in the town, I think we will make this a more regular occurrence.”

Romford Town Centre Team Sergeant, Aaron Harris said, “Initiatives like today are excellent examples of collaborative working with local partners to tackle street violence and drug supply. Our commitment to making Romford town centre a safe place to work and visit continues with offenders being targeted. Criminal activity will not be tolerated within our community, and we will work tirelessly to put offenders before the courts.”

Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said: “Working together with our partners, we can all help to make our borough safer. “Days of action like this will enable us to be visible to residents and visitors in our town centres and speak to them, so we can help tackle the issues to make them feel safer. “Our aim is to help make our town centres places for people to enjoy and feel safe, plus help our local businesses thrive. “This action also sends out a message that we won’t tolerate anti-social behaviour and crime in our borough and will together, take the strongest action against those offenders.”

Stuart Wilson, Centre Manager at The Brewery said:“Improving town security is a collective effort that thrives when everyone works hand-in-hand. By partnering together, we can create a safer environment where everyone feels protected and valued, building a stronger more resilient community.”