Forum Topic

Stabbings, violence and crime in Acton/Ealing

The number of fatal stabbings in the borough really raises the need for a proper discussion about what is behind this current wave of violence. Violent muggings on teenage boys are at epidemic levels. Is there a drug in circulation that is exacerbating the violence? What exactly is going on? I would really appreciate a proper response from the Police or the Safer Neighbourhoods Team. Where are they these days?

Alex Watson ● 2319d9 Comments

Short, Sharp, Shocks are the only deterrent, I leave it to others what form these SSSs may take, if ever implemented. We're dealing with a deeply ingrained mindset here, where no number of police on the streets is going to change things much.These ferals just don't care, they're utterly fearless of Authority, and once people understand that they will realise "reasoning" with them is futile.Plod understands it V well, but Political Correctness stops them from instigating SSSs. Such measures have to come from The Top, and are politically motivated decisions.So it will never happen.

Rosco White ● 2316d

I agree that knives cause fear to other children, to parents and the community at large. What I don’t see in that video is any actual evidence that what the police or council are doing is effective in curbing the carrying or using of knives. I hear, ‘rest assured, we are doing our upmost’ But what is your upmost? I hear they are putting bins out for people to put knives into voluntarily. How successful is that? I hear they are selling knives separately. Does that actually make a difference in reality? I hear we are working with our partners? What partners are those? I hear we are talking to children in schools through their community liaison officers, which I already knew. But how is that actually working out in real life? What evidence is there that any of those things are working. All we have are statistics of reported crime which show that knife crime has increased significantly over the last months. I know this isn’t what people want to hear and I am not a spreader of fear. I am however concerned that some young people (I know through personal experience as a parent and I am also a teacher) are increasingly feeling unsafe. It occurs to me that our police and council staff need to give us  evidence that whatever they are doing is actually having an impact. Sound bites are not sufficient. Then I think we need a proper debate about how we tackle this as a community.

Alex Watson ● 2317d

Just spotted (link on Twitter courtesy of Ealing Council) local Borough Commander on knife crime in Ealing:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=osBD7lFSd3Y&feature=youtu.be&utm_source=Twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=SocialSignIn

Lorna Dodd ● 2317d

That is very interesting, thank you Paul. It does show that in August this year crimes in Ealing involving the possession of blades or other weapons was at its highest in 2 years and I suspect September will blow the record out of the water. Hotspots are South Acton/ Acton Central /East Acton. Also Southall Broadway, Greenford Broadway and Northolt Mandeville. I think parents, particularly of teenagers should take notice of this data.

Alex Watson ● 2317d

Stats from 2010 to around 1 month ago athttps://www.met.police.uk/sd/stats-and-data/met/crime-data-dashboard/

Paul Webster ● 2318d

Well that might be but i live in Acton and work in Ealing so would like to know more about the particular problems we are facing here, especially as we have teenagers out and about.

Alex Watson ● 2318d

There's nothing special about Acton/Ealing. This is happening all over London. And in other major cities.

Susan Kelly ● 2318d

No, But I would really like to see some statistics along with a proper police statement. Perhaps our MP could comment here? I am hoping for more information from our councillors as I recently write to them regarding a specific incident.

Alex Watson ● 2318d

Do you have any data on the current numbers against previous years

Ciaran O'Keeffe ● 2319d