Forum Topic

Hammersmith Broadway SNT forum

On Tuesday 13th October 2009 between 1pm and 3pm I intend to hold a 'live' forum on this site. If you have any concerns or comments in relation to crime or anti-social behaviour within Hammersmith Broadway ward, then please log on during the above times and post your comments. If you are unavailable during the above hours, post your comments between now and then and I will respond on the forum next Tuesday.Thanks, Gareth Winnard PS 32FH - Hammersmith Broadway Safer Neighbourhood Team (Metropolitan Police Service)

Sgt Gareth Winnard ● 5683d24 Comments

As per the below question, I said I would speak to the manager at the Apollo to ascertain if the venue could assist in anyway. Please see his response below:"Dear Resident, the HMV Hammersmith Apollo fully appreciates the danger faced by customers who, when leaving the venue, choose to jump over the railings under the flyover and run across the broadway into the shopping centre. One of the ways we intend to tackle this is to place a barrier outside the Apollo in such a way that it 'funnels' patrons towards the underpass. This has been used before and seemed to work although a number of people did choose to jump the barrier to access the carkpark under the flyover so there will be a few snags to iron out.We are committed looking for new ways to improve customer safety."

Sgt Gareth Winnard ● 5668d

Thanks to everyone who has posted questions. It is very useful for myeslf and my colleagues to know what issues are affecting people locally.It is my intention, with the consent of HammersmithToday, to conduct a regular forum via this website which I hope to announce shortly.If I have said that I will respond or make further enquiries regarding a particular topic, I will post a further response on this forum.In the meantime, if you need to contact myself or another member of Hammersmith Broadway SNT, you can send all correspondence to the following e-mail address - HammersmithBroadway.SNT@met.police.uk or phone 020 8246 2638.Thanks, Gareth

Sgt Gareth Winnard ● 5677d

Gareth, thanks so much for doing this and thanks to all the people who participated either directly, through Twitter or by sending me an e-mail.If I didn't use your question it was probably because it was outside Gareth's area of responsibility.SheilaHammersmithtoday.co.uk Editor (acting)

Sheila Prophet ● 5677d

Thanks Sheila for your question. I can only speak for the officers on Hammersmith Broadway Ward - in total we have 20 officers who work on this ward dedicated to the SNT - one person lives on the Ward itself and one other officer lives within the Borough.Thanks, Gareth.

Sgt Gareth Winnard ● 5677d

Thanks for your e-mail. There have been a number of studies in relation to this issue. I know that in my local tube station they swear by this as a means of reducing ASB. I think it really depends on who you speak to!Even if you speak to two people who work in the same bus or tube station, you can have two persons who are totally at the opposite end of the spectrum. I personally think it can have a positive effect but it is simply one tool that can be used within a broader package of measures to reduce ASB at a particular location.Thanks, Gareth.

Sgt Gareth Winnard ● 5677d

Hi Gareth,Last question and this one is from me rather than a site member.What proportion of the SNT Officers live in the borough?

Sheila Prophet ● 5677d

You are obviously quite correct that at certain points along the river there are 'no cycling' signs. We have enforced the signage on a number of occasions - the penalty being a £30 Fixed Penalty Notice. There was a news item on this website a number of months ago in relation to the large disparity in the issuing of such Notices between Hammersmith and Fulham Borough and our colleagues in Chiswick, this Borough having issued a much larger number.Often in such circumstances, the most appropriate course of action if we see someone cycling contravening the signs at this location, may actually be to simply offer words of advice to the person concerned.You may think this an odd statement, but cycling on the footpath is one of the most hotly debated topics I come across - ranging from people who think everyone should be dealt with very firmly to those who think it totally does not matter and that they believe it is a waste of police time.I have previously asked for improved signage at this location and I will also ensure that officers from this team are aware of your concerns and deal appropriately with anyone they find cycling at this location.Thanks, Gareth.

Sgt Gareth Winnard ● 5677d

Hi GarethThis is one from one of our followers on Twitter.She would like to know if music piped into the tube station has had an impact on anti-social behaviour? 'Drives me mad!'

Sheila Prophet ● 5677d

Hi Gareth,Another question from a HammersmithToday.co.uk site member. "What is the point of having no cycling signs on paths by the river if they are never enforced?"

Sheila Prophet ● 5677d

I don't believe that students from a particular school were being targetted. At the start of every new term, particularly after Christmas, we make a particular effort to give crime prevention advice to students. It is quite clear that a lot of young students have access to what is quite expensive equipment and unfortunately, we need to make them aware of the dangers of crime.I would agree that boys seem to be affected more than girls. I am sure there is probably research which has been conducted as to why, but from personal experience, I would agree that boys seemed to be affected to a greater degree.Thanks, Gareth.

Sgt Gareth Winnard ● 5677d

It is correct that there a large number of uninsured drivers on the road. In Hammersmith Broadway we have taken steps to deal with this issue. The police do have the power to seize vehicles which are being driven by uninsured drivers. On two occasions in recent months we have secured the services of Traffic Police Officers who have access to Automatic Number Plate Reading technology. Basically, they have cameras which read number plates and these plates are automatically checked against the Police National Computer. If it is found that the vehicle does not have insurance, it will be stopped and if no insurance is confirmed, the vehicle will be seized. We have seized a number of vehicles this year that do not have insurance and we are currently in the process of arranging a further operation where we will target those drivers using the road who are uninsured.Regards, Gareth.

Sgt Gareth Winnard ● 5677d

Graham, thanks for your query. Tazers are not issued to any officers at Hammersmith Police Station. The MPS has made a conscious decision to issue Tazers only to specialist firearms officers and members of the Territorial Support Group. Basically, if police receive a call and from the information we obtain, we believe the use of a Tazer may be suitable, we will call for those specialist officers to attend the Borough and assist. I do not have to hand how many times Tazer has been used on the Borough this year but I can make enquiries for you and will post the answer when I receive the information.In relation to CCTV, it is extremely difficult to put a figure on the percentage of crime solved because of the images from these cameras. I am sure you are aware it is not 100% and a recent report released to the media did put a very low figure on it. However, what I can tell you, is that I am aware of a number of crimes this year where footage has been used to secure a conviction.Regards, Gareth.

Sgt Gareth Winnard ● 5677d

Hi GarethAnother question submitted by a site member. "We have lots of traffic in Hammersmith and yet we read that over 10% of cars on our roads are driven by uninsured drivers. Why not kill two birds with one stone?"

Sheila Prophet ● 5677d

So were the Latymer students being targetted by muggers? I think the problem is that all the students are known to have mobile phones and are usually plugged into their iPods and rather distracted so tend to attract attention whether intended or not.I suppose they are safer if they travel in groups.Anecdotally, the boys seem to be targetted more than the girls. Is this reflected in the crimes reported to you?

Caroline Steele ● 5677d

Richard, thanks for your e-mail. The question of police presence is often, as you would expect in this day and age, subject to a thorough risk assessment. Basically, it often depends on the actual act which is performing at The Apollo and the type of crowd that they are likely to attract. When police are present we obviously make every effort to direct people towards the subway. I think you raise a valuable point and later this afternoon I will liase with the management at the Apollo to see whether they can utilise their staff to direct visitors towards the subway and similarly whether signage may be a useful tool. I have to say from personal experience that many people who visit the arena who are not from the local area appear not to notice the subway and better directions may be suitable.Regards, Gareth.

Sgt Gareth Winnard ● 5677d

How many Tazers are issued to officers at Hammersmith Police station and how often have they been used so far this year?Secondly, Hammersmith Broadway and surrounding areas probably has more CCTV cameras covering it than nearly any other place on the planet. What percentage of solved crime typical is helped by the use of images from these cameras?Thank you.

Sheila Prophet ● 5677d

Thanks for your e-mail Mary. If we receive specific information regarding a particular problem, then obviously we will deal with it and post officers accordingly. By pure coincidence, one of my colleagues from the SNT is giving a safety talk at Godolphin and Latymer School as we speak. In terms of personal safety, I would recommend that all pupils try not to draw attention to themselves, particularly any expensive electrical equipment that they possess. I do have a more extensive list which I can post in a short time.Regards, Gareth.

Sgt Gareth Winnard ● 5677d

I was driving around the Broadway in the evening recently as a concert at the Apollo was just finishing. Hundreds of people, mainly younger were pouring out and many had chosen to cross the Broadway rather than using the underpasses. Is there a police presence there at this point and what can be done otherwise to prevent the inevitable accident if this sort of thing continues?

Sheila Prophet ● 5677d

Sheila,Thanks for your e-mail. I have to say that the amount of ASB near Secrets is not particularly high. Yes, we do get certain incidents which would not occur if there was not a licensed premises at the location, but it is not an unusual amount. There are occasional incidents of noise, litter and the occasional assault, and we will respond to any specific complaints that we receive.Regards, Gareth.

Sgt Gareth Winnard ● 5677d

Hi Sgt WinnardI know that historically there has been trouble outside the school gates at Latymer and for a period the police were stationed outside the school at the end of the school day. Have these difficulties been resolved and do you have any recommendations to students on how best to ensure they are safe?Thank you,Mary

Caroline Steele ● 5677d

Hi GarethA lady who lives locally has asked if you experience an unusual amount of anti-social behaviour near Secrets lap-dancing club?

Sheila Prophet ● 5677d

Aaron,Thanks for your question. If you click on the below link you will be able to access the wards and streets across Hammersmith and Fulham which have a Neighbourhood Watch scheme. I have just viewed the link myself and noted that it was last updated in February 2009. Therefore, there may be more schemes which have been added. If you need further information regarding a particular street, please let me know and I will try and gain further information for you.www.nhw-hammersmithandfulham.org.ukRegards, Gareth.

Sgt Gareth Winnard ● 5677d

Is there a list of local neighbourhood watch associations published anywhere?

Ellen Kearney ● 5677d

Just a quick reminder to everyone that the live forum is going to take place this afternoon between 1pm and 3pm. If you have any questions, please post on here and I will respond this afternoon.Thanks, Gareth.

Sgt Gareth Winnard ● 5677d