I am already tackling crime, fly tipping and ASB.
I attended the ward panel meeting with our Safer Neighbourhood Team, local Police Sergeant and Roger Harding. I am pleased to report that the gang of 13 muggers that were targeting our kids on Queensway have all now been arrested and bail conditions ban them from this area. The police were exceptional in their actions and results - thank you!
This is a great victory for on a community and personal level as I have been actively patrolling Queensway trying to catch these individuals and sending photos to the police. I even tracked them down to the McDonald's basement and was called a “vigilante mum” by the press for my efforts.
More police cover for Lancaster Gate
I have asked for more police cover on Queensway as it is a town centre much like the West End and should have more resources allocated to it.
Police priorities
The police's priorities are currently robberies and violent crime on particular hotspots such as Queensway and Inverness Terrace.
Dog Security
As you may be aware, the dog patrol initiative we introduced a few months ago has proved very successful. It was great to hear the Cleveland Square Residents Association and many more residents asking for its return.
It was a Conservative-led initiative that was funded through the Lancaster Gate Ward budget. If it is to be renewed, it will need to be approved by all three Councillors so I am hoping my Labour colleagues will see the benefit in reinstating it. I will also be approaching the developers in the area to fund extra security.
Weekend Cover
I have asked the Council for a dedicated team of City Inspectors for the weekend in a similar arrangement to the West End. We are effectively a town centre and the weekend sees a huge increase in visitors, rubbish dumping and ASB.
We currently have Saturday cover on alternate weeks from 7 AM to 3 PM but as local residents, we know that these are not peak trouble hours. As such, I have asked for it to be changed to 12 PM - 8 PM.