Issue

Community safety

21 stories · discussed at 29 council meetings · 23 councils

Councils are currently investing in targeted initiatives and reviewing strategies to enhance community safety.

Southwark Council invested £600,000 in Night Time Patrols in September 2026, after 41% of residents reported feeling unsafe after dark, particularly women, older people, and disabled residents. Neighbourhood Watch Southwark also highlighted ongoing issues of knife crime and violence against women and girls in the borough in September 2026. Merton Council's Cabinet approved £235,000 in September 2026 for community safety initiatives targeting untidy land.

Lambeth Council's community safety performance was under scrutiny in July 2026, with an Outcomes Framework Performance Report showing most indicators failing to meet targets. Newham's Crime, Environment and Transport Scrutiny Committee discussed developing a Violence Against Women and Girls Strategy for 2026-28 in September 2026. Bexley Council's Community Safety Scrutiny Project Sub Group is scheduled to meet on 30 September 2026 to develop a scrutiny review plan.

Enfield reported a 6.4% decrease in knife crime over the past 12 months in March 2026, attributed to preventative work across youth services. Harrow Council's Cabinet approved plans in July 2026 to recommission domestic abuse services, with a new contract for £2.395 million over five years set to begin in April 2027.

Key facts

  1. Southwark Council invested £600,000 in Night Time Patrols in September 2026. Source
  2. Merton Council's Cabinet approved £235,000 for Community Safety Untidy Land action in September 2026. Source
  3. 41% of Southwark residents reported feeling unsafe after dark in September 2026. Source
  4. Lambeth Council's community safety indicators were largely failing targets in July 2026. Source
  5. Enfield reported a 6.4% decrease in knife crime over 12 months in March 2026. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 30 September 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Stories, page 2

  1. Councillor Anthony Okereke Re-elected Leader of Greenwich Council Councillor Anthony Okereke has been re-elected as Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich Council at the authority's annual meeting, securing a significant majority for the... Greenwich 30 May 2026
  2. Enfield Reports Significant Drop in Knife Crime, Especially Among Young People Enfield has experienced a significant reduction in knife crime, with a 6.4% decrease in offences over the past 12 months. This positive trend is particularly notable in knife... Enfield 25 March 2026
  3. Community safety partnership recommendations accepted Southwark Council's Cabinet has accepted a series of recommendations from the Housing, Community Safety and Community Engagement Scrutiny Commission aimed at enhancing community... Southwark 20 March 2026
  4. Barnet Council Launches New Strategy to Combat Serious Youth Violence Barnet Council has launched a new strategy to tackle serious youth violence, building on existing efforts to enhance community safety across the borough. The strategy was... Barnet 17 March 2026
  5. New CCTV policy adopted by Havering Council Havering Council's Cabinet has adopted a new policy governing the use of its CCTV and Body Worn Video (BWV) systems, aiming to enhance compliance with regulations and improve... Havering 16 January 2026
  6. Wandsworth Council Motion on Crime and Housing Fails Amidst Heated Debate Wandsworth Council's recent meeting saw heated debates on crime and housing, but a motion highlighting these issues ultimately failed to pass. Wandsworth 28 October 2025
  7. Lavender Hill Police Station Front Desk to Remain Open Following Community Campaign Following a community campaign, the front desk at Lavender Hill Police Station will remain open, Wandsworth Council has confirmed. However, opening hours will be reduced to 12... Wandsworth 28 October 2025
  8. Barnet to Investigate Edgware Foul Smell Barnet Council is set to investigate the source of a foul smell plaguing Edgware town centre, following concerns raised by Councillor Lucy Wakeley at a recent council meeting. Barnet 25 October 2025