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Darwin Safer Neighbourhood Panel

The Panel was formed in August 2006 and presently consists of 13 members of the community from across Darwin Ward, including our local Councillor. Although the name is a bit long-winded, the Panel is one of the few ‘new’ concepts whose purpose is relatively simple and which draws its inspiration from that fond memory many of us still has of the “bobby on the beat.”

The aim of the Panel is to provide a forum where the local community comes together in partnership with a dedicated locally-based team of officers, to tackle local problems. It can only work as a partnership as neither the police nor the local communities involved have the ability to solve the problems on their own.

All communities from all parts of the Ward can be represented; residents, businesses or otherwise. Many of our members are Chairs of their own Residents Associations and this is a useful mechanism for two-way communication in bringing problems to the Panel and in reporting back to communities on what has been achieved.

Where the Panel differs from the more traditional approach of policing is in the setting of local priorities for the police to respond to and, as importantly, report back on what has been achieved. Locally set priorities are an important way of ensuring that the more ‘minor’ types of crime or anti-social behaviour are not overlooked by the police, allowing communities to see that their concerns are being properly dealt with. To that end, the Panel has been a great success.

Darwin is unique in London due to its size as the largest Ward in the Met and, by comparison, it’s very low crime rate. However, this doesn’t mean it hasn’t got its problems.  The sheer size and rural nature of the area with considerable green space presents a challenge for our relatively small group of officers who share one car and some bicycles between them; although the five pairs of big feet do cover some of the ground in between.

The Panel meets with the Police Team roughly every 6 weeks to hear reports of crime and other incidents and to discuss any issues of concern. These are normally crime related but often a crime has other significant underlying problems that should also be addressed. These issues can be many and varied and connected with Housing, Fire Services, Environmental or Council Planning situations. As such the Panel can have direct contact with any and every Agency involved.

Panel meetings are usually held in ‘closed’ session as due to the nature of some on-going operational situations, confidentiality becomes an important requirement. At each meeting the Panel members, in conjunction with the Police, determine at least two local priorities which will be the focus of police attention. 

The Darwin Police Team, supported by the Panel, were recently recognised for their work in helping to make Bromley a Safer Place and are now in receipt of a much deserved Award.  There are 22 Wards in the Borough, Darwin was the only Team to be honoured. 

Those readers who were previously unaware of the Panels’ existence may wish to contact their own Residents Association or community group in the first instance to find out more about how the Panel is working to make their community safer.  Alternatively the Police Team can be contacted on 0208 721 2603 or email Darwin Police Team

Judith Cross

Chair

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Last modified: 12/06/10