Harold Hill Residents Invited to ‘Building the Future’ Event: Join Police and Community for Safer Streets.

Residents, partners and community leaders are being encouraged to attend a key event on Saturday 28 February, titled Building the Future, which will highlight the progress made under the Clear, Hold, Build initiative in Harold Hill and set out what comes next. The event will bring together the Metropolitan Police, Havering Council and local organisations to share successes, listen to residents and shape the future of the area as the scheme moves firmly into its next phase.

The Clear, Hold, Build initiative has delivered a remarkable turnaround for Harold Hill, bringing visible reductions in crime, renewed confidence among residents, and a stronger sense of community pride. What began as a targeted response to persistent criminality and antisocial behaviour has evolved into a long-term partnership model that is now widely recognised as a success.

Since its launch, the Metropolitan Police working closely with Havering Council and local partners have taken decisive action against those responsible for blighting the area. Drug dealing, shoplifting and antisocial behaviour have fallen sharply, while enforcement activity has removed prolific offenders from the streets and disrupted criminal networks that once operated with impunity. Residents have consistently reported feeling safer, seeing more officers on patrol, and experiencing a clear improvement in day-to-day life.

Crucially, Clear, Hold, Build has gone far beyond enforcement alone. The Build phase has placed genuine emphasis on prevention, opportunity and community trust. One of the standout moments was the fantastic Harold Hill Community Day held in September, which brought together families, young people, police officers, partners and volunteers in a powerful show of unity. The event showcased how positive engagement can break down barriers, strengthen relationships and give residents a real sense of ownership over their neighbourhood.

Sport has played a vital role in that progress. Youth-focused football and basketball sessions have provided safe, structured activities for young people, steering them away from crime while building confidence, teamwork and aspiration. These sessions have been delivered in close collaboration with Youth Unity, whose on-the-ground knowledge and trusted relationships have helped ensure that support reaches those who need it most. The partnership between police and Youth Unity has been widely praised as an example of how collaborative working can change lives.

What sets Harold Hill apart is the consistency and visibility of police leadership throughout the process. Officers have listened to residents, acted on intelligence, and remained present long after the initial clear phase proving that this is not a short-term operation, but a genuine commitment to lasting change. The results speak for themselves: safer streets, stronger partnerships and a community that feels heard and supported.

As the initiative moves firmly into its next stage, there is a shared determination to build on these gains, protect the progress already made, and continue investing in prevention and resilience. Harold Hill’s experience shows what can be achieved when policing is proactive, community-focused and backed by meaningful partnership working.

“For the past two years, the Metropolitan Police, Havering Council, and local partners have been working closely with residents to address persistent crime and antisocial behaviour in Harold Hill. We are now entering the Build phase, with a renewed focus on prevention, strengthening community resilience, and creating long-term, sustainable improvements for the area.

This event brings together key stakeholders, partners, and the community to share progress, discuss priorities, and shape what happens next. Your presence and insight would be extremely valuable as we continue to work collaboratively to make Harold Hill safer and stronger for all.”

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