Covent Garden London
The heart of London's West End
Holborn Police
The Sector Policing Unit (SPU), formerly the Community Action Team, continue to work from Kings Cross Police Station, along with Response Team officers providing the 24-hour cover for Holborn Division. Renovation work at Holborn Police Station continues, with an anticipated completion date of January 2002.
The delicate issue of resources remains a talking point. It is still hoped that recruiting will increase, with more officers on patrol. Figures for Camden and for the Met as a whole in April 2001 show a small decrease compared with the previous year.
We have seen various changes in personnel. Sergeant Neil Henson has left the Sector Team and is now sharing his expertise on "Problem Orientated Policing" across the whole of Camden Borough. The previous Beat Officers, Ian Millar and Bill Fenoughty, have moved onto Project Lilac, which developed from Holborn's Operation Strongpoint. It tackles problems associated with drug abuse in the area centred on Centre Point. Officers from Camden and Westminster work in partnership with other agencies to deal with this long-term problem.
In May 2000 PC Barrington Thompson joined the Sector Unit as your new Beat Officer, and in the short time he has been in post has done some stirling work in maintaining, and cementing new community relationships. He has now been joined by PC Andy Bithell, partnering Barrington in South Bloomsbury Sector. I know he is looking forward to meeting you all, and being involved in the community.
The biggest change will undoubtedly be the departure of Inspector Howard Marriott. He is transferring to Norfolk Constabulary at the end of June. Those of you who know Howard will agree that his commitment to, and knowledge of, the community has been second to none. I am sure you will all join me in wishing Howard and his family the best in their new life in the country.
Despite the good work of the Project Lilac, drug abuse remains a problem in the south of Holborn. Camden officers, assisted by officers from Lilac, have recently completed Operation Manx, which resulted in nine drug dealers being arrested and charged with supplying class A drugs. They are currently in prison awaiting trial. More arrests are anticipated in the near future. High visibility patrols have been supplemented with fifteen new probationary officers on Camden Borough. Part of their ten week on-street training course involved dedicated patrols in South Bloomsbury.
The Commissioner, Sir John Stevens, visited Camden Borough in recent months, and as a result of talking to front-line officers, has ordered that a fleet of motorcycles be assigned to Camden Police. These will assist officers reach emergency calls more effectively in heavy traffic. The bikes are now in service and, hopefully, have been noticed on the southern part of the Division. With additional patrols by mounted officers working from Kings Cross Police Station, it is hoped to provide a greater police presence to support the work completed by Barrington and Andy.
Sergeant Andy Hutchinson
Covent Garden Community Association Annual Report 2000-2001
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