Press Releases

Rough sleeper, drunk and drug users taken off the streets (PR 942)

Three people were arrested, five heroin users were collared and a rough sleeper was removed from Southall Park pavilion building during a crackdown on crime and grime in Southall Broadway.

Led by Ealing Council’s community safety team, the partnership operation on Friday 23 February also involved local police, council envirocrime, trading standards and licensing officers, London Fire Brigade, ECT (the council’s waste and recycling contractor), the DVLA and Premier Recovery.

One person was arrested for carrying an offensive weapon and a drunken man was arrested for causing disturbance. Police also arrested an uninsured driver and confiscated alcohol from six people as they enforced the controlled drinking zone.

Five heroin users were spoken to and diverted for support from Ealing’s Drug and Alcohol Action Programme. Intelligence relating to local drug dealing was obtained.

In other results:

Nineteen people were stopped and seven of those were searched
The owner of a Staffordshire bull terrier was warned about the dog’s behaviour in Southall Park
More than seven tonnes of rubbish were removed from an alley in Townsend Road
More than 900 personal crime prevention leaflets were distributed to members of the public
Around 80 people registered personal items including mobile phones and i-pods with ‘Immobilise’
At least 50 personal alarms were given out
More than 20 premises were inspected for fire safety and prevention, and a fire hazard was referred to the London Fire Brigade for further inspection
Three untaxed vehicles were removed and impounded
14 commercial waste warning letters issued to shop premises
One person was stopped and received a warning about handing out leaflets
10 shopkeepers were given information and advice about commercial waste agreements
Eight massage and special treatment premises were inspected by licensing officers and legal proceedings may follow
Three public houses were inspected by licensing officers
Eight Penalty Charge Notices were issued by the council’s parking services
A cyclist was warned about cycling on the footpath with no lights
Graffiti was removed from various locations.

Council Leader Jason Stacey said: “Council officers, police and partners were out in force and their coordinated efforts resulted in the removal of drug users, a disorderly drunk and many tonnes of filthy rubbish.

“We are committed to ridding our streets of this kind of crime, grime and anti-social behaviour to make Ealing a better place for the majority of decent residents.”

Making the borough’s communities safer is one of the council’s three priorities. The council’s other two priorities are cleaner streets and providing value for money services.