Council to make major investment to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour

Wandsworth Council today set out ambitious plans to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour and ensure stronger support for people affected by domestic violence and abuse.

Under the proposals, three additional Community Safety Officers will deliver targeted interventions in areas subjected to crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB) and increased engagement with communities and victims of crime.

A further Community Safety Analyst will ensure better insight and understanding of the trends of crime and ASB and the impact on local communities - to better target and inform preventative action.

The new investment in making Wandsworth safer will also see new CCTV monitoring officers in the state-of-the-art Joint Control Centre at Wandsworth Town Hall, with over 1000 CCTV cameras recording 24/7, 365 days a year. These officers will also focus in on areas experiencing ASB and Crime, providing pro-active monitoring of CCTV cameras, working closely with the police. 

The council has already doubled support for victims of Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and is now providing further investment to make sure direct support is available to victims of domestic violence and abuse and their children - a top priority for Wandsworth Council. Our Independent Domestic Violence Advocacy (IDVA) service is a crucial front-line service.

This additional investment by the council will boost the level of support and ensure continuation of service where the Government grant funding proves unstable. 

Speaking from the state-of-the-art Joint Control Centre in Wandsworth Town hall, Simon Hogg, Leader of Wandsworth Council said:

“Keeping Wandsworth safe is a whole community effort – it’s everyone’s business. As a council - supporting the safety and wellbeing of residents across Wandsworth is at the heart of what we stand for.

“This smart, targeted and significant investment provides a real boost to crime and anti-social behaviour prevention, and enhances our support to victims of domestic abuse.

“Nothing could be more important.”

Chief Superintendent Clair Kelland, in charge of policing for south-west London said:

“Wandsworth is a vibrant borough and one we all want to support to thrive. This is a significant investment in key areas that will help improve community resilience to crime, anti-social behaviour and domestic abuse.

"We look forward to continuing to work closely with Wandsworth Council to improve safety and engage the community in keeping Wandsworth safe.”