Wednesday 3 December 2025

At Ashford Place, 60 Ashford Road, NW2 6TU

Present:

Paul Barton (Heber Road), Danna Cannon (Windmill Court), Emily Foster (Dartmouth Road), Marie Hancock (NW2_RA, CTT), Sally Long (Cricklewood Library/CTT), Steve MacLean (Cricklewood Baptist Church), Neil Mcginley (Sheldon Road), Catherine Patterson (Curate St Gabriel’s) Angela Payne (Cricklewood Town Team) Chair.  Cllr Gwen Grahl and Tariq Dar (Cricklewood and Mapesbury Councillors), Semhal Habtom, (ASB Officer, Brent Council),

SNT : PC Dan Novakovich, PCSO Ajay Dhokia,

Apologies: Danny Maher (Ashford Place, CTT), Josefine Speyer (Heber Road), Gabriele Bertone (NW2_RA), Stephen McCormack (Governor Anson Primary School, Willesden Foodbank), Carol Reeman (NW2_RA), Philip Stagles (Brent Neighbourhood Manager), Shaheen Mufti (NW2_RA), Gerry Weston (MapRA), Sgt Alan O’Connor, PC Rishi Selvarajah

Clare Richardson was welcomed as an observer, and hopefully a member, of the Ward Panel.

Members were pleased to see PC Dan Novakovich.  Since the last meeting there have been some issues with the Met Police administration, which had recommended that Dan should move to another position in the Met.  Following discussions with Sgt O’Connor, the chair contacted the members of the panel who represented significant organisations who all emailed their disquiet at this move to Insp. Yu Zhang.  As a follow up, Rev James Yeates and Angela met with Krupesh Hirani, the GLA member for Brent and Harrow.  Following this very helpful meeting, we were pleased to hear that the planned move of PC Dan Novakovich will not take place.  Members were all pleased to note that the effective Cricklewood & Mapesbury SN Team will continue to provide the high standard of service to our community as an effective team.

  1. Notes of the Last Meeting – The notes of the meeting held on 10 September 2025 were approved.
  2. Matters Arising
  • The house on the corner of Heber/Olive Roads (214 Heber) continues to be a concerning source of anti-social behaviour. Ajay advised that the SNT have been endeavouring to find contact details for the landlord – who lives in Manchester with no phone or email address available.  Cllr Grahl will contact Brent Licensing to chase this up.
  • The Macau Gaming Centre at junction Broadway/Chichele Road

Brent have now issued an enforcement notice for the obtrusive, discordant and unauthorised signage and other frontage changes at the old Barclays bank in a Conservation area . They can still appeal  the enforcement notice, but they still have until 29 May 2026 to comply. After that, the council could send in a team to do the necessary work.  In addition:  There are conditions on their opening hours.

“The use hereby permitted shall only be open to customers between the hours of 0800 and 0030 Monday to Friday; 0900 and 0100 Saturday; and 0900 and 0030 Sunday and Bank Holidays.”

There are concerns that the opening hours condition is being breached and we understand that NW2_RA sent evidence of their visits at 1.15am and 6.45 am.

  • The proposals for a new integrated health and community hub at Gladstone Park have received approval from Brent Council (LPA) and the Great London Authority (GLA) and NHS approval for health-related funding. The architects, surveyors and other key groups have provided 4 outline proposals for the building and the community services which will be provided.

A working group has been established with the GP lead for the Willesden Green surgery, Friends of Gladstone Park, Cricklewood Library, Cricklewood Town Team and the C&M SNT Ward Panel chair and the Cosmos Rugby Club.  We aim to ensure that the various areas that encourage anti-social behaviour and removed with the new proposals.

  1. Update on SNT personnel

Inspector Yu Zhang (covering the A5 corridor of wards) is responsible for Cricklewood & Mapesbury SNT.  Sgt Alan O’Connor is sergeant for C&M and Brondesbury with PC Rishi Selvarajah, PC Dan Novokovic, PCSO Ajay Dhokia and PCSO Ionela Archir

However there are concerns about staffing levels which will be reduced.  There should be 10 PCs across the group of wards, but will be down to 5 due to career break, Nano, restrictions and sickness.  C&M SNT will be covering Brondesbury ward in addition, as there is no operational PC,

  1. Ward Crime figures for September to November 2025 reviewed against priorities were circulated prior to the meeting.

Current Priorities

Violence – Focus around Cricklewood Broadway and Chichele Road

Burglary – Focus on areas that are being targeted which have been reported.

ASB/Drugs – Focus patrols around hotspots where ASB and drug use occurs.

The detail on the heat maps were discussed for September to November 2025 – see Powerpoint slides.

Most Reported Crimes – September 2025

The most reported crime figures on the Met Police Website has changed from the previous heat maps that was displayed. The crime map shows the different sections of crime from ASB, burglary, violence, drugs, etc

The link below will show you the figures. https://www.met.police.uk/area/your-area/met/brent/cricklewood-and-mapesbury/about-us/crime-map

The most reported crimes for the ward on the website are:

Anti-social behaviour 25 reports is 4 less than previously

Violence and sexual offences 27 reports, 5 less than last report

Other theft 11 offences.

The current focus remains on violence, particularly along Cricklewood Broadway and Chichele Road. Most incidents have been related to domestic violence and burglaries, especially around the A5 and Cricklewood Lane. Local businesses are affected, with a significant number lacking CCTV coverage.  Shoplifting is a continuing issue with violence attached to the theft.  Effort is being put into restrictions to prevent these occurrences.

Drug reports will be covered under anti social behaviour if dealing has not been witnessed.

Macau are offering free pizza and drinks – whilst this has some social benefits it is not helpful for people having personal issues with gambling.  Brent are leading on the national campaign for a law change for adult gaming centres.

  1. Team Activity
  • Our SNT took the lead on executing two simultaneous drugs warrants on Brondesbury Ward on Kilburn High Road as this was linked to local gangs. Of concern also was the presence of children.
  • Arrested a male at Shell Petrol Kilburn High Road for Possession with intent to supply Class A and B drugs and an offensive weapon an Irish hockey stick in his possession for protection.
  • Arrested males at Oaklands for immigration offences who have also been causing ASB issues and using drugs. Seems this problem has significantly reduced by police presence.
  • Assisted Queens Park SNT with warrants in Harrow Road Kenal Rise which involves organised crime group who are dealing drugs. A significant amount of drugs and money were recovered and the closure of the house is in hand.
  • Op Torado deal with violence, burglary and drugs which covered Kilburn and Cricklewood. This was a two day operation where 7 individuals were arrested for possession with intent to supply drugs, one of the males had a very large knife in his possession.
  • Assisted Camden with Live Facial Recognition in Kilburn area with 6 people arrested who were known and wanted.
  • Police received intel in relation to a firearm hidden in South Kilburn Open space. Assistance from police dog was conducted and the firearm not found.

Regarding the Bench at Oaklands Road which attracts behaviour of concern to local residents, such as drug dealing, partying at night, we understand that evidence is required.  We will endeavour to obtain photographs of these activities, to encourage Brent Council to remove the bench, that was not installed at the request of Cricklewood residents.

  1. Issues raised from the Ward by members

Members discussed the issues that were of particular concern.  These mostly related to drugs and the subsequent anti-social behaviour across the ward  from Kilburn, Mapesbury to Gladstone Park area; near Gladstone Park, drug dealing seems to be accompanied by a whistle, from 11 – 3 at night accompanied by threating behaviour.

Dan and Ajay fedback on the interaction of the SNT with these issues and the panel gained a useful understanding of the process for rehabilitation of drug offenders and the providers of such services.  From the discussion, the SNT will follow through on managing the difficult issues of the proximity of rehab clients with local residents, particularly when children were in the proximity of anti-social behaviour.  Apart from any photos of asb, it is helpful for the SNT to be provided with the vehicle registration number if drug dealing is suspected.

Members found this session very informative.

A current issue raised within the ward, and nationally is the theft of courier deliveries from front doors.   It is recommended that neighbours are used if not at home, or the collection boxes in the area, to mitigate these problems.

Email address is: Mapesbury&Cricklewood.snt.365Group@met.police.uk

  1. Community Contact Sessions

Walk & Talk Sessions.  Emily Foster will lead for the Ward Panel on VAWG.  There have been several planned walks and a meeting in the Willesden area in the last two months.  However the walks are often arranged with very short notice and unfortunately one was cancelled due to the weather at the last minute.  Emily requests that a longer time scale is provided of a meeting, so that more people who would be interested in joining in a walk or a meeting can be informed.

Met Engage is being used to inform of these meetings, but a longer lead time is needed, and a wider circulation across neighbouring wards.

Crickleclubbers at Cricklewood Library have requested a session from the SNT on crime in the area for their members.  This will take place in January.

Community contact sessions will be held when it is appropriate with local residents to address an issues.  This can be as a result of reports registered or concerns raised.

  1. To agree Priorities for next quarter. Following discussion and referral to the crime stats, it was agreed that we would continue with the same priorities:

Violence

Mapesbury and Cricklewood SNT will continue to show uniform patrols along Cricklewood Broadway and Chichele Road as this is the hotspot for violence on the streets due to being a high street on a main route. Violence on the ward over the last 3 months is fairly low however the team conduct proactive patrols and work with partner agencies such as the local authority and VIA in order to reduce crime related matters and anti-social behaviour. The next 3 months under Operation Terminos which focuses on priority crime of Violence, Burglary and Robbery but also includes anti-social behaviour and drugs, the team will target known offenders and provide uniform and plain clothes patrol.

Anti Social Behaviour and drugs

There is a constant issue of anti-social behaviour of drug use around the ward, the main areas where drug activity is being reported is around Exeter Road near to Kilburn Tube station, Dartmouth and Teignmouth Road including Dawlish Road and roads off Anson Road near to Gladstone Park. The team will conduct both uniformed patrols and plain clothes in this area and will engage and disrupt any drug issue and anti-social behaviour if individuals are seen. The team continue to work closely with partner agencies such as the local authority, St Mungo’s and VIA in order to help these individuals who are prone

to be using drugs. The next 3 months the team will continue to patrol the ward and key hotspot areas and build intelligence.

Burglary

Burglary has been on a steady decline across the ward. This is down to identifying persistence offenders who commit burglaries who are either currently in prison or have been issued with a criminal behaviour order. The team review any burglaries being committed to identify the suspect and provide a reassurance visit to the victim. During the reassurance visit the team conduct house to house enquiries so that cctv footage can be downloaded and seized to try to identify the perpetrator but also to provide advice to other residents. The next 3 months the team will look at any trends in burglary reports and provide reassurance visits and patrols.

 9. Any other business

Safer Neighbourhood Board (SNB) public meeting – Monday 26th January in the Grand Hall at Brent Civic Centre from 7.0 to 9.0 pm.  Will also be a live broadcast. Theme is Antisocial behaviour.

There are several Christmas Carol events across the ward from now until Christmas.

  1. Date of next meeting – 23 March 2025

Communication summary – PLEASE CIRCULATE to all contacts

*NEW* Email for Mapesbury & Cricklewood SNT: 

Mapesbury&Cricklewood.snt.365Group@met.police.uk

 The OLD email address ( Mapesbury&Cricklewood.SNT@met.police.uk  ) will no longer be operational after 18 June 2025

Telephone: 07398 454898.

Email: brent.admin@advancecharity.org.uk