St Pancras & Somers Town

Drug use and its associated anti-social behaviour have seen a rise in our ward, and the negative impact that this has on communities has been reflected in conversations held with community members. Regular patrols will take place targeting hotspot locations and utilising stop and search powers. The team will also build a greater intelligence picture regarding drug supply on our ward, to enable pro-active enforcement measures.

Issued 01 June 2025

Over the past 6 months, our ward has experienced a noticeable rise in drug-related activity and associated anti-social behaviour (ASB). As neighbourhood police officers, we are aware of the negative impact such behaviour has on the quality of life of our residents, particularly when it becomes entrenched in specific localities. In response, our team has taken a firm and proactive approach to clamp down on these behaviours, with a strategy focused on hotspot policing, regular high-visibility patrols, targeted stop and search activity, and intelligence-led disruption of local drug supply networks.
1) Targeting Hotspot Locations
Key to our approach has been identifying and targeting known hotspots within the ward—areas that consistently attract drug use or drug dealing. One such area is Pratt Street, which borders St Martin’s Gardens, as well as the Curnock Estate, locations frequently associated with visible drug use and related disorder. Recognising the pattern of activity in this area, we have ensured increased patrols through and around the gardens, as well as the estate, on foot, ensuring that there is always high visibility. These patrols have not only acted as a deterrent but have also allowed officers to engage with residents and build stronger community rapport.
The impact of this targeted presence has already been seen. Reports of drug use in and around Curnock Estate have decreased significantly. Residents have commented positively on our regular visibility and the increased sense of safety in the area, particularly during evenings and weekends when concerns were previously at their highest.
2) Stop and Search – Proactive Policing
As part of our proactive efforts, we have also made effective use of stop and search powers. This has been conducted in line with best practice, intelligence-led, respectful, and professional, ensuring that public confidence is maintained while addressing the problem robustly.
A notable example occurred recently on Pratt Street, where a satisfactory stop and search was conducted in a location known for regular drug-related activity. The subject was found to be in possession of cannabis, which was seized. More importantly, the interaction led to the subject providing valuable intelligence on drug dealing activity in other nearby locations. This illustrates the dual benefit of stop and search: both the immediate disruption of offences and the longer-term development of our local intelligence picture.
On the same day, a further satisfactory stop and search was conducted outside of the St Francis Crick institute. This took place in broad daylight, and again cannabis was seized. The timing and location of these searches highlight growing concerns about public drug use during daytime hours, suggesting a shift in user confidence and patterns of behaviour. As a result, we have adjusted our patrol strategy, accordingly, increasing visibility in this area and using stop and search not just to enforce, but also to reassure law-abiding members of the public.

3) Intelligence Led Enforcement
The development and use of local intelligence has been key in our fight against drug-related activity. Every interaction, whether during a stop and search or community engagement has contributed to a more comprehensive understanding of dealer behaviour and areas of vulnerability. By analysing patterns and feeding intelligence into wider borough policing operations, we are increasingly able to disrupt the street dealing side of the issue, not just the visible effects.

This intelligence led approach has allowed us to identify emerging hotspots quickly, anticipate potential issues, and deploy patrols with greater strategic purpose. Working in tandem with our Camden Council colleagues, we have been able to action areas of concern and initiate broader investigations based on the groundwork laid through neighbourhood policing.

4) Increased Visibility and Public Reassurance
Alongside enforcement, we have placed a renewed emphasis on visibility and approachability. As neighbourhood officers, we recognise that our presence alone can act as a powerful deterrent to low-level crime and ASB, while also providing much-needed reassurance to the public.
Over the past few months, we have made a concerted effort to ensure officers are highly visible throughout the day, particularly in areas of concern and during peak times. Officers have conducted foot patrols in parks, residential streets, and near local businesses, providing a calming presence and an opportunity for genuine engagement with the community.
We’ve spoken with numerous residents who have expressed their appreciation for our increased presence. Many have told us that seeing us out and about has boosted morale and made them feel safer in their own neighbourhoods. This kind of feedback reinforces the importance of a balanced approach, one that combines enforcement with empathy, presence with purpose.

5) Ongoing Commitment to Safer Neighbourhoods
The work to combat drug related ASB is ongoing. While progress has been made, we remain committed to sustaining this effort and adapting as needed. Our approach continues to be flexible, intelligence-driven, and grounded in community partnership.

In the weeks and months ahead, we will:
• Continue regular patrols in known hotspots and be ready to respond to new ones.
• Use stop and search proportionately and effectively, based on up-to-date intelligence.
• Act on community information, recognising residents as essential partners in our efforts.
• Work closely with partner agencies—including housing, youth services, and outreach teams—to provide holistic support where enforcement alone is not the solution.
• Engage schools and community leaders to address the root causes of drug use, particularly among young people.

Actioned 23 June 2025

To reduce knife-enabled robberies in the streets between St Pancras and Euston British Rail stations within the St Pancras & Somers Town ward.
This can be measured by the number of such crimes reported to police.
This will be achieved by operations targeting robbery hotspot areas, high-visibility foot and cycle patrols, targeted use of stop and search tactics, and target hardening - crime prevention advice and engagement via social media.

Issued 01 June 2025

Officers have been actively engaging with the Detached Youth Team (DYT) of Camden Council and have participated in the delivery of Day Five of the Choices Programme which delivers knife crime awareness seminars to year 10 and 11 students across the borough. This involves a scenario based seminar involving a knife crime incident in real time. This presentation looks at the impact of knife crime on everyone involved including the victim, victim’s family, suspect, suspect family, LAS staff, police officers and bystanders. This work with DYT is ongoing and relationships between DYT and MET continue to grow stronger. We look to continue our collaborative work with the DYT.

Officers have also targeted an area of high knife crime robbery on the ward. This lead to an increase in high visibility patrols. An operation by the proactive team assisted by SNT lead to the arrest of four offenders and a drop in the number of robberies in that area.

Actioned 23 June 2025

Creating a safe environment for women and girls on our ward is a priority for the team. Whether is is working with partnership agencies to ensure streets and public places are well lit at night, or pressing for more late shifts, we want our ward to be safe for women and girls.

Issued 01 June 2025

Officers have worked collaboratively with the Camden Youth Assembly (CYA) of Camden Council and attended the CYA in relation to violence against women and girls (VAWG). This event was well-attended by both boys and girls and it enabled their voices to be heard. The CYA VAWG steering group are considering ongoing workshops with police to increase awareness of VAWG and how to mitigate it. There has been an increase in high visibility patrols throughout the ward.

Actioned 23 June 2025