More arrests

Dear All,

Just to update you on a number of recent arrests by your Vincent Square Ward Team.

Over the past few days we have been conducting some high visibility patrols across the ward with a focus on the afternoons and late evenings. Earlier this week this met with some success with the arrest of two high profile members of the local street population responsible for causing a lot of drug related anti-social behaviour and petty crime. While it is not appropriate to publish more details at this stage the two males are well known local faces and it's a relief to get them off the streets.

Then on the afternoon of Friday 3rd October three members of the ward team were on foot patrol on Victoria Street when they spotted another male who was wanted for a number of offences. He was duly arrested and taken to Charing Cross Police Station to face pending prosecutions while also being found to be in possession of class C drugs. The male in question is also a well known and disruptive figure among the local street population.

On Saturday 4th the ward team was again out in force, this time in a marked police van touring our local drug and ASB hotspots. The presence of the van and regular engagements with people on the street has strong deterrent value, particularly after dark.

A further arrest was made during this patrol. The male arrested is a known associate of local drug dealers and was wanted for various offences. He has been causing significant disruption and anti-social behaviour on our ward and in neighbouring areas for some time.

These patrols are central to our strategy of trying to disrupt and deter those bringing drugs into our ward and the ASB that ensues.

With the help of our partner organisations we are beginning to see some reduction in drug activity in the immediate environs of the Cathedral but it is picking up in other areas of the ward. Those areas now need our focus and in the coming days and weeks we intend to deliver it. We will update you.