Safer Kingston Partnership Report Details Progress in Community Safety Initiatives

14 September 2026

A new report has highlighted the ongoing efforts to enhance community safety across Kingston, detailing a range of initiatives and achievements from the Safer Kingston Partnership's 2025-2026 annual report.

The report outlines progress in four key priority areas: Working in and with our Communities, Preventing and reducing violence and exploitation, Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG), and Thriving Neighbourhoods.

Significant achievements include progress on a CCTV upgrade, the launch of MET ENGAGE to provide residents with Neighbourhood Policing updates, and the EnTRAPreneurship project. This initiative, which creates economic opportunities to divert individuals from crime toward positive futures, received an Excellence in Innovation Award . The project offers residents opportunities to pitch business ideas, network, win £250 and six months of professional mentoring, and receive a free one-year website. However, the measurable impact of this project on crime reduction is not detailed in the report.

Three individuals in matching blue t-shirts stand behind a reception desk, smiling at the camera. — EnTRAPreneurship project team

Efforts to end VAWG were recognised at the LGC Awards for a co-produced strategy. This strategy was created alongside survivors from the Kingston Women's Hub survivors' forum (Voices of Hope) and the local partnership, ensuring lived experience directly shapes frontline services. Judges praised the project as a deeply inspiring initiative that effectively brings healing and policymaking together. Kingston Council was also invited by the House of Lords to deliver expert evidence on the ground-level impact of the Domestic Abuse Act 2021, briefing lawmakers on local successes such as survivor co-production and the range of local support services.

The report also detailed initiatives to foster thriving neighbourhoods, such as a 24/7 helpline for victims of hate crime and a Youth-Led Community Safety Conference.

Looking ahead, the Safer Kingston Partnership plans to focus on these priorities and introduce new ones, including addressing Online Harm and reducing Reoffending.

More information on the Safer Kingston Partnership's work can be found in the Public reports pack.

Councils Involved

Kingston upon Thames

Meetings Involved

the South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee of Kingston upon Thames Council on 10 September 2026

People Involved

Councillor Sharukh Mirza Liberal Democrat Chessington South and Malden Rushett Ward

Councillor Joanne Barker Liberal Democrat Hook and Chessington North Ward

Councillor Griseldis Kirsch Liberal Democrat Chessington South and Malden Rushett Ward

Councillor Mark Beynon Chair - Planning Committee; Chair - Pension Fund Panel Liberal Democrat King George's and Sunray Ward

Councillor Helen Grocott Chair - Health Overview Panel Liberal Democrat King George's and Sunray Ward

Councillor Lorraine Dunstone Chair - South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee Liberal Democrat Hook and Chessington North Ward

Councillor Sue Ansari Portfolio Holder for Children’s services including Education and Co-Chair - People Committee Liberal Democrat Hook and Chessington North Ward

Councillor Andreas Kirsch Leader of the Council & Portfolio Holder for Heritage and Culture and Co-Chair - Corporate and Resources Committee Liberal Democrat Chessington South and Malden Rushett Ward

Topics

CCTV upgrade programme MetEngage EnTRAPreneurship project Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) digital harms reoffending Hate Crime Safer Kingston Partnership's 2025-2026 annual report Youth-Led Community Safety Conference