Barking Town Centre Summer Plan

As part of the Government’s Safer Streets Mission and aligned with the Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee, the Metropolitan Police, in collaboration with the local authority and businesses in the town centre, held a partnership meeting to launch the Barking Town Centre Summer Plan.

During the meeting, the police introduced the Town Centre initiative, which launched on 30th June and will run until 30th September. This initiative, delivered in partnership with the local authority, focuses on:

The meeting was attended by five local businesses, including representatives from Poundland, Boots, Iceland, Tesco and members from Vicarage Field Shopping Centre.

Contributions were also made by the Community Safety Partnership and the Havering Business Improvement District, who shared best practices from their successful partnership work in Romford.

The event included a workshop where businesses and partners were divided into groups to discuss priorities. Three common themes emerged for future focus: visible safety and public confidence, crime prevention through design and stronger partnerships with a clear community voice.

Chief Inspector Mahmood and Sergeant Kent emphasised that this initiative should not be seen as a one off but rather the beginning of long term partnership working. They highlighted the importance of continued collaboration around information sharing, joint problem solving and open communication between businesses, the local authority, and the police.

Mr Aktar Hussan, attending on behalf of Boots, said: “It’s been really useful to have a face to face meeting with all the stakeholders working towards a common goal.”

Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “We are proud to be working in close partnership with the Metropolitan Police and local businesses to deliver the Barking Town Centre Summer Plan. This initiative reflects our shared commitment to making Barking a safer, more welcoming place for everyone who lives, works, and visits here. 

“This plan is about taking real action on crime and anti-social behaviour, building trust, and making sure everyone feels safe. It’s great to see so many partners coming together with a shared goal, and we’re committed to keeping that momentum going.”