On Tuesday 24th January 2023, residents, representatives from church groups, KENDRA and local Councillors met with the Metropolitan Police Kenley Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT). Chaired by Nick Graves, Pastor of Old Lodge Land Baptist Church, the Ward Panel discussed community safety and policing priorities.
The latest crime statistics were reviewed, and questions asked about crime. It’s always unsettling discussing crime near where we live, but reassuring that after Sanderstead, Kenley has the lowest crime rate in Croydon.
The crime incidents for Kenley from October to December 2022 were as follows:
- 12 burglary offences
- 33 vehicles offences
- 22 violence against the person.
Generally, vehicle offences were opportune. Of the 14 vehicles taken, 7 were recovered and 1 arrest made. There was a reduction in the number of catalytic converters taken and one of the SNT members is being trained on smart tagging and will run a public session on preventative actions.
The Chair of the Ward Panel wanted to ensure more ‘hidden’ offences were considered and introduced a Kenley resident who had lived experience of domestic abuse. She explained to the insidious nature of the abuse and the need for victims to understand that help was at hand.
The Ward Panel were supportive of awareness raising on this issue as a community safety priority. In reviewing the existing policing priorities, the Panel agreed to amend an existing priority to: Violence against the person with particular attention to domestic abuse and violence. This was set alongside two other priorities around burglaries and vehicle crime.
The next meeting of the Ward Panel will be on Tuesday 18th April, at Old Lodge Lane Baptist Church.
