Places Scrutiny meetings are sometimes quite interesting, will the one held on 19th March live up to its reputation? Unusually it was graced by police officers who were questioned throughout most of the meeting.
• Demonstrations in Central London have left local staff numbers depleted but the Neighbourhood Teams are protected except in extreme cases.
• There has been no knife crime in Bexley in the past 30 days but 55 incidents, some minor, some not, over the past year.
• Bexley has the lowest burglary rate in London although Councillor Bacon said that in Sidcup the perception is different.
• The night life in Bexley has grown to be one of the biggest in South East London and drink spiking is occasionally found but only at a low level.
Only one venue in Bexley has created concern.
• Stop and Searches are on a reducing trend but 32·9% are successful.
• Shoplifting is up by 64% in the past 12 months.
• Keyless car theft is a problem said to be made worse by Bexley residents buying more upmarket cars.
• Provision of speed cameras is paused and speed enforcement is not a priority.
• The Community Safety Survey had a very poor response, not much more than half the number last year and barely 20% of some recent years.
• Reports of Domestic Abuse are up by 3·2% compared to last year. Bexley ranks 18th in London.
Due to reluctance on the part of victims, on average, no action is taken until the 38th offence.
The police officers then left.
• The Bexley Survey produced a 0·17% response rate and even fewer from the North of the Borough.
• Councillor Cheryl Bacon confirmed that she will not stand for election in 2026.
• The last of the new litter bins are being installed in the Bexley Village area. 200 new ones in total across the borough.
• Small lamp post mounted bins are to be installed in Bexleyheath to hopefully meet the needs of gum chewers and smokers.
• A number of ideas for DNA tracking of fly tipped materials are being considered.
• The new CCTV system may be operational by July.
