Mayor's statement on Catford
I am shocked and deeply saddened by the recent spate of violent incidents in Catford over the last week. My thoughts are with family and friends of the victims, and others impacted at this incredibly difficult time.
I know it is worrying and upsetting when these things happen on our doorstep. Keeping our residents safe remains our top priority, and we continue to support the Police to fully investigate these acts. I want to thank them for their swift response in Catford.
I know many people have questions, quite rightly, around what is being done to address crime and violence in the area. I want to reassure you that the Council’s enforcement team are working closely with the Police to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, and to make both Catford, and the rest of the borough, safe.
Police have confirmed that additional resources have been deployed and active enquiries remain ongoing into each incident, including searching for those responsible. If you have any information that can assist police, then please do come forward, even if you aren’t sure it is helpful. It’s important to report what you have seen so the perpetrators can be caught. If you have any information for police, then please call 101 stating CAD6958/21Oct.
We shared last week that the Police have secured funding for additional foot patrols every week in the area. We met with them on Monday to discuss where these extra patrols will be deployed each week.
In addition, the Council is ensuring our enforcement activity targets issues such as anti-social behaviour, as well as focussing on hotspot areas. We are undertaking joint operations as a priority and will be able to report back as they happen.
I know recent reports have shown that violent crime overall is down in London and we are consistently below many other European capital cities, however one death and one crime will always be too many and we are determined to find a way forward that stops this shocking display of violence.
I know that this is a concerning time for our community and I want to reassure you we are doing everything we can and will continue to work in partnership with the Police and our residents to improve community safety.
If you need to report a crime to the Police:
- call 999 to contact the Police if you or someone else is in immediate danger, or if a crime is in progress
- call 101 to contact the Police if the crime is not an emergency
- contact Crimestoppers to report a crime anonymously, or phone them on 0800 555 111 - they will pass the information about the crime to the Police