Soho Ward Panel

The Soho Ward Panel meets quarterly, and is attended by our local Safer Neighbourhood Team officers (who give an update on local crime) and PCSOs, along with perhaps a guest speaker (recently an officer from the Town Centre Team explaining the approach to pick-pockets which is one of the major crimes in the West End).  It is also attended by our Neighbourhood Problem Solving Co-ordinator, and some or all of our Councillors attend.  Stakeholders are also invited.  Other interested members of the public attend.

Members of the panel and others have an opportunity to ask questions of both the police and council and raise any concerns they may have.

A frequent comment is often that we don’t see enough police on our streets.  This is due to shift patterns, cuts and also ‘abstractions’, where officers are used to police protests and events such as changing of the guard.  This takes them away from their normal duties and means they have time off in lieu of overtime working.  Another comment is that the community does not get enough information on what is happening in the ward.

Three ward priorities are set at the end of each meeting – one is set by the police and needs to involve violence, and two are set by the community. The first priority currently (set by the police) is violence against women and girls (VAWG).

The two set by the community are pickpocketing and theft, and antisocial behaviour involving nuisance motor bikes.

If anyone is interested in attending the Soho ward panel please email janepdoyle@btinternet.com.  Alternatively, if you would like to see the panel at work, please email me and come along.