CommunitySafe.gov.uk

I would like to take this opportunity to update you on Operation Withern, which is the MPS response to the disorder last month.

Over 2,100 people have now been arrested across London in connection with this with around 1,200 charges already so far. There will be many more arrests to come including in Lambeth as this investigation continues for several more months.

The scale of this investigation is huge however we remain determined to bring to justice all those who were involved in criminal acts. Forensic and crime scene examiners have been working on more than 1,100 crime scenes across London. There have been approximately 7.8 million internet visits of the suspect images on our Flickr page.  These are available for everyone to look at to identify suspects.

You can imagine the impact that this is having on our resources but the officers on Lambeth have been magnificent. They have been working extended shifts with few rest days.

London has also drafted in extra officers from other forces across the country. For example we have officers from Lothian and Borders Police, North Wales and Gloucestershire Constabulary to name a few that will be patrolling on the Borough as part of the overall MPS response to Withern. 

In Lambeth they have been undertaking hot-spot patrols in some of our high crime locations as well as estate patrols. I know that officers from other forces have welcomed the experience of patrolling Lambeth and have been well received by local communities.

Crime has noticeably fallen since the disorder.

The response from the Lambeth public in coming forward with information has been absolutely fantastic including their support. This has greatly assisted the borough in quickly returning to normality and arresting offenders. We were also not as badly affected as some other boroughs.  I want to thank everyone for their help and ask for their continued support. If you know anyone involved in the looting tell us - don't let them get away with it.

Local Police Teams and SNT’s on the clusters have been involved in reassurance patrols as well as enforcement. Streatham Local Police Team recently searched premises under a warrant and as a result arrested two suspects for burglary as well as a third who was wanted in connection with robberies.

We would like to assure you that we have plans and resources in place to respond to any further disorder and deal with normal policing across the city to keep Londoners safe. We continue to work with our partners and the community to help ensure residents and businesses can go about their daily lives with confidence.

 

Regards,

Pat Beynon

Chief Inspector Safer Neighbourhoods

Lambeth Borough