I would like to share with you some of the more focused work my officers have been engaged in, around geographical locations in the borough and with particular crime types.

Research shows that an effective method of dealing with key issues that affect – and are important to – our communities, is to deploy a combination of tactics in a localised area. Another method is to better understand crime patterns and what affects our community and focus resources towards those particular areas.

In the last two weeks my neighbourhoods team has been working with our partners in the local authority to deal with homelessness, drugs and alcohol and other issues affecting Tokyngton ward. By working together they were able to provide free health awareness, employment advice, deal with street drinkers, identify and secure lock-ups that were used for anti-social behaviour so that they could no longer be used, and security marking personal property.

As a result of this week of action, my staff collated evidence and information which will enable them to consider longer term solutions to clean up the area and support the residents.

Last week my officers focused their activity on domestic abuse and theft for a 24-hour period.

Working with our partners, they provided advice and guidance to the public to reduce the likelihood of them becoming victims of crime.

They did this through erecting stalls staffed by experienced staff and partners, using social media to reach out to the community, and by my cadets and volunteers patrolling and providing literature to commuters at busy transport hubs.

In addition to the preventative side there was an enforcement part to the day which involved extra officers arresting known suspects for these crime types, executing search warrants at premises occupied by those involved in criminal activity, deploying weapons arches and high visibility patrols in key locations.

This heightened activity resulted in 16 people being arrested for various offences including burglary, theft and domestic abuse, 11 warrants being executed, the recovery of weapons and drugs and the arrest and disruption of a fraudulent criminal network.

I would like to reassure readers that overall, crime in Brent is on a downward trend.