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Following a violent attack on a teenager in Romford, local councillors demand swift use of unallocated council funds to repair and expand CCTV coverage amid rising violent crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough.<\/p>\n
Following a recent attack on a 15-year-old girl in Romford, calls have intensified for urgent action to improve street safety across Havering. The incident, which involved a rape in St Edwards Way, has heightened fears among local residents, particularly women and mothers who express growing concern about their safety while walking through certain areas, such as subways, at night. Despite the Metropolitan Police’s ongoing investigation, no arrests have been made so far.<\/p>\n
Conservative councillor David Taylor, who represents the affected St Edwards ward, has urged the council to deploy unspent funds toward enhancing security measures, particularly by expanding operational CCTV coverage. Taylor emphasized that funds for such improvements exist but have yet to be fully utilised. Drawing on a recent Freedom of Information request, he pointed out that around a third of the borough\u2019s CCTV cameras are not functioning, with 23 of 72 cameras broken. He also believes that money accumulated from the community infrastructure levy (CIL), which the council collects from developers for local projects, could be channelled into upgrading the borough’s surveillance systems. Latest data shows millions of pounds from this levy remain unallocated, although council officials indicate some portion has already been invested.<\/p>\n
In response, Havering Council leader Ray Morgon stressed the authority’s commitment to public safety and highlighted ongoing projects with the Metropolitan Police, including council-funded officers specifically tasked with community safety. Morgon outlined a \u00a33 million investment currently being made to upgrade the CCTV network, including a new control room near Romford’s Town Hall, with an aim for all cameras to be fully operational soon. He noted that \u00a3750,000 of CIL funds have been dedicated to this CCTV upgrade, which forms part of the broader \u2018Where We Live\u2019 campaign designed to foster community pride and security. While Morgon supported further initiatives such as police-community summits, he also cautioned that these require careful balancing of resources and staff priorities.<\/p>\n
Statistics underline rising concerns about safety in Romford\u2019s town centre. Reported violent and sexual offences increased to 81 in April, up from 74 the previous year and 70 in 2023. Anti-social behaviour offences have nearly doubled over two years, reaching 64 in April 2025 compared to only 28 in 2023. These troubling trends amplify the urgency cited by local representatives.<\/p>\n
This broader context includes ongoing debates about park safety and after-hours security. Cllr Taylor recently launched a petition advocating for locked gates at parks after dark and CCTV installations at park entrances to curb anti-social behaviour. The concerns echo those raised by Andrew Rosindell, the local MP, who criticised the council\u2019s past cost-cutting measures, arguing they have contributed to a spike in serious crimes. Rosindell has repeatedly called for improved policing resources in Havering and a more equitable funding settlement to reflect the borough’s demographic challenges, which include both significant elderly and young populations.<\/p>\n
Community safety initiatives continue beyond surveillance enhancements. Collaborations between the council\u2019s CCTV team and police have led to successful interventions, including the seizure of dangerous weapons and enforcement actions against environmental crimes like fly-tipping. The council has also introduced schemes such as ‘Ask Angela’ to support residents feeling vulnerable in social venues.<\/p>\n
Amid these efforts, Havering Council has sought residents’ input through surveys to identify priority crime issues and tailor prevention strategies accordingly. The local community\u2019s anxiety has been compounded by recent knife attacks and violent incidents, reinforcing the pressing demand for tangible improvements in public safety measures.<\/p>\n
The current situation clearly highlights a critical juncture for Havering, balancing investments in technology, personnel, and community engagement to restore a sense of security in Romford and beyond. The effectiveness of these combined efforts will be closely watched as residents seek reassurance that they can walk their streets and use public spaces without fear.<\/p>\n