Harrow (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Rayners Lane experiences significant crime reduction following Harrow police’s targeted operations, including patrols and community engagement.
Harrow MPS claims that after a police-led campaign began last year, crime in Rayners Lane ward has significantly decreased.
According to a local police statement, since Operation Velmara started in September 2024, there has been a 25% decrease in overall crime in the area.
Superintendent Writer commissioned the project, which was supported by £15,000 in central money from the Metropolitan Police Service.
Sergeant Whomes led ground operations, while Inspector Johnson oversaw the operation. Long-standing problems, including aggressive begging, street drinking, and antisocial behavior among young people, have been addressed using a combination of plain clothes patrols, visible policing, monitoring, and focused interventions.
To lower the number of burglaries, the team reviewed CCTV footage, learned about burglary trends, and located repeat offenders. In order to curb unrest, they also collaborated with nearby companies to enforce licensing requirements pertaining to the selling of alcohol.
Through street briefings and events, police interacted with local businesses and citizens to obtain information, resolve issues, and foster collaboration and confidence.
The police said:
“From early morning walk throughs to late-night reassurance patrols, Harrow Police have been everywhere, making their presence known, felt and trusted.”
Among the outcomes are:
- A 50% decrease in violent violence
- A reduction of 39% in thefts
- Notable decreases in begging and street drinking
- A decrease in antisocial behavior among young people
Officers have also worked to build stronger connections with the community.
“Harrow Police made it a priority to speak with residents every day, check in with shopkeepers, and reassure commuters using the station,”
The statement added.
According to local police, there is a restored sense of pride, and the town is now calmer and more self-assured. They attribute the change in atmosphere to the officers’ constant presence and involvement.
Harrow MPS gave this update.
What specific strategies did the police use to reduce crime in Harrow?
The local Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) increased police presence to discourage crime and reassure the community by conducting frequent foot and mobile patrols at different hours, particularly near recognized hotspots like Alexandra Avenue and Rayners Lane station.
In order to remove guns from the streets and lower violent crime, daily weapons sweeps were conducted in high-risk or covert areas.
Through proactive involvement with women and girls near Rayners Lane station, Operation GOODRICH addressed both crime and fear of crime by educating them about safety, offering guidance, and encouraging the reporting of unsafe areas.
The team used “Achilles heels” methods, which focus on people’s weaknesses to break offending patterns, to target substance-abusing offenders. They issued Community Protection Warnings and Notices to known drug offenders and enforced Public Space Protection Orders.