Council Leader Sets The Record Straight On Safety In Havering.

A recent article in the Havering Daily looked at the borough’s safety. In response, Havering’s Leader of the Council, Councillor Ray Morgon, writes:

Cllr David Taylor’s recent article paints a misleading and unnecessarily alarmist picture of safety in Havering. While we welcome scrutiny and debate, it is vital that such commentary is grounded in fact and reflects the reality of the borough’s efforts to protect and support its residents.

Contrary to the claims made, Havering remains one of the safest boroughs in London – this is fact based on crime data from the police. However, the Council is far from detached — we are actively engaged in a wide range of initiatives to improve safety and community wellbeing. To suggest otherwise is not only inaccurate but undermines the hard work of our officers and partners.

We are not complacent. Havering Council is currently investing £3 million to upgrade its entire CCTV network, including the installation of new cameras and equipment across our town centres. This is supported by a new state-of-the-art control room, ensuring that 100% of our CCTV infrastructure is fully operational. It is important to note that £750,000 from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) was allocated to this project.

Our commitment to safety extends beyond infrastructure. We continue to work closely with the Metropolitan Police, including Council-funded Section 92 Officers, and our community safety team to ensure proactive and responsive policing across the borough. Earlier this year, we hosted a crime summit at the Town Hall, bringing together key agencies to collaborate on reducing crime and improving street safety. While we are considering making this an annual event, we must also balance the resource demands of such summits with the day-to-day casework that directly supports our residents.

Furthermore, Havering proudly maintains 16 Green Flag parks — a national benchmark for excellence of parks and green spaces. One of the key criteria for achieving Green Flag status is safety. We would not hold this accreditation if our parks were deemed unsafe by Keep Britain Tidy – an independent body. These spaces are a testament to our ongoing commitment to providing safe, welcoming environments for all.

Havering Council is taking decisive, well-resourced action to ensure the safety of our borough. We urge Cllr Taylor to engage constructively and accurately with the facts, and to recognise the significant work being done to support our communities.

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