The council has public protection officers out every day to deter crime and reassure locals, CCTV running to monitor and gather evidence, and a street engagement team to support people with drug-related issues. The teams are all working in the town centre to improve the situation.
Cllr Dr Mahamed Hashi, Cabinet member for Safer Communities, said: “As someone who grew up, lives and works in Brixton, I understand the issues in the town centre and know that action is needed which is why the council is working closely with the community and the police to address them.
“The police lead on tackling crime, while the council undertakes enforcement and community support. We have been pushing hard for visible policing and for increased on the ground police presence that the area so badly needs, and are pleased to say this situation has improved.
“To support the community and police efforts, the council has boosted its on street presence which includes work to deter drug dealers in the area. We are determined to continue this work, help cut crime, support our residents and ensure people with drug abuse issues are offered support.”
The council’s public protection officer’s role includes providing referrals to the police where has crime occurred. The council and the police are holding ongoing days of action in the town centre, most recently in September when a number of drug dealers were arrested. Further operations have been planned.
In response to increasing concern about drug use in public, Lambeth Council’s public health team is working with substance misuse services to run the on-street engagement team. The team work to boost referrals to treatment programmes, cut the number of injecting drug users, decreasing drug-related deaths and lower of drug and alcohol-related antisocial behaviour.
The role of the team is to build relationships, better understand the needs of people who are using drugs and to support them to access treatment services. The outreach workers attend well known locations and areas of concern, and engage with individuals in those areas to learn more about them, their needs and what support can be offered.
The team go out on early morning shifts and through the day, liaising with the police and other agencies for wide coverage, shared intelligence, and a joint approach to help tackle the problems faced by local communities. They are working across Brixton town centre in Windrush Square, Brixton Station, Electric Avenue and Electric Lane, Rushcroft Road, Nursery Lane and Rush Common.
Cllr Dr Mahamed Hashi said: “Lambeth Council is acting effectively and collaboratively in addressing these issues. We have been engaging with the police and other partners on a regular basis with some really good outcomes and as a result have had positive feedback from residents who I met with to provide updates.”
