Last updated: 23 August 2023

Next review: 23 August 2024

Image
Four officers, one parking enforcement, one police and two from Safe Streets, stand in front of a marquee reading Team Waltham Forest: Safe Streets.

Safe Streets pilot

Safe Streets is part of our new neighbourhoods approach. It aims to address complex issues such as health inequalities, the climate emergency, the cost of living crisis and community safety.

40% of Waltham Forest residents cite fear of crime and violence as a top concern. The Safe Streets pilot programme aims to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour, support victims and empower residents to get the most out of their neighbourhoods.

We know each area of Waltham Forest is unique and will have its own issues and hot-spots. We’re taking a neighbourhoods approach to tackle these issues directly, starting in Chingford Mount and South Leytonstone.

Our staff will deliver their existing primary functions with a focus on joint problem solving, tackling community safety concerns and additional resident-focused engagement. This work will be done in partnership with local partners included the local police services and will include: 

Door-to-door and on-street engagement with residents 

Promotion of how to quickly report crime and anti-social behaviour 

High visibility patrols with police officers

Violence reduction outreach sessions 

Pop-up police stations

Street cleansing including tackling litter, fly-tipping and graffiti 

The pilot programmes in Chingford Mount and South Leytonstone will provide a community safety model to be rolled into all of Waltham Forest’s neighbourhoods in due course.

Wider Safe Streets programme

The Council’s new neighbourhoods approach aims to ensure all residents have local access to the services and amenities they need to live fulfilling and healthy lives. Feeling safe has been identified as a key barrier preventing residents from enjoying their neighbourhoods.

The Safe Streets pilot will bring together and build upon existing complementary services and initiatives. The pilot will provide a framework for a similar neighbourhood-driven, insight-led approach to community safety to be rolled out across the borough.

The chosen pilot locations offer sufficient geographical and demographic diversity for the Safe Streets framework to eventually be implemented in all Waltham Forest neighbourhoods. 

We will continue to reduce crime and our borough safer throughout this pilot period. We want residents from all areas of the borough to get involved. One way you can do this is by signing up for our community safety newsletter or coming into one of our local pop-up police stations.