Council prioritises community safety with the launch of Community Safety Hubs and Ward Walks

Barnet Council has opened the first of its Community Safety Hubs as part of a range of new measures to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough of Barnet.

Barnet residents can now anonymously report or raise concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in their area with dedicated council officers in their local Community Safety Hub. The council is launching its first ‘pathfinder’ hubs in Edgware and West Hendon, which will be open weekly. More hubs are expected to open in the coming months.

The creation of Community Safety Hubs is one of two schemes in the council’s new programme to help reduce crime and fear of crime in the borough. Starting in November, the council will hold the first of its ‘Ward Walks’ in which councillors, council officers and Police will visit local neighbourhoods to investigate reported anti-social behaviour-related issues. 

Cllr Sara Conway, Chair of Barnet’s Safer Communities Partnership Board, launched the council’s scheme at the opening of the Edgware Community Safety Hub. Cllr Conway said:

“We are listening to residents and have community safety as a council priority. Although Barnet is one of London’s safest boroughs, this is not always how people feel. We’re opening Community Safety Hubs with council officers and partners there to make it easier to report crime and anti-social behaviour. We’re investing in more and better CCTV, creating a network of safe spaces for women and girls, Ward Walks and are working with the Police and partners in the community to tackle identity and hate crime.

“We’re also changing how the council engages with residents to help people feel less isolated and more connected. Together, we are working to make Barnet a safer place to live.”

The launch of Barnet’s Community Safety Hubs and Ward Walks follows the publication of Barnet’s Community Safety Strategy 2022 – 2027, which sets out how the council will tackle issues ranging from violence against women and girls, through to anti-social behaviour and protecting those most at risk of exploitation and radicalisation.

Additional future council initiatives will include investment in upgrading the borough’s current CCTV system and working with residents and the Police to create action plans that tackle local street-level issues in every neighbourhood.

For more information on Barnet’s Community Safety Hubs, Ward Walks and the Community Safety Strategy 2022-27 visit: www.barnet.gov.uk/community-safety