The Community Safety Partnership meeting on 8 October 2026 addressed a wide range of issues concerning crime and safety across Haringey. Key discussions included updates on strategic priorities such as anti-social behaviour (ASB), serious violence, and hate crime, alongside statutory responsibilities like Prevent and offender management. A significant focus was also placed on the development of the new Community Safety Strategy for 2027-2031.

Strategic Assessment and Priorities

The meeting began with an overview of the strategic assessment for Haringey, highlighting nearly 30,000 recorded crimes in the past year with an estimated cost of £178 million. While drug offending and domestic and sexual offences have seen increases, there have been reductions in youth violence and knife crime. Mark Wolski, Head of Community Safety, presented data indicating a two percent increase in total notifiable offences, but noted a downward trend over a three-year period. He also highlighted specific areas of concern, such as Wood Green and Seven Sisters, where partnership activity, including additional CCTV, has been funded. Superintendent Hannah Hayes, Chair of the Community Safety Partnership, noted that increases in certain offences, like drug possession, can be indicative of increased police proactivity.

Will Maimaris, Director of Public Health, raised concerns about the significant rise in sexual offences, questioning whether this reflected an increase in actual incidents or improved reporting. Hayes acknowledged that while increased reporting can signal greater confidence in the system, there was a perception of an uptick in sexual offences, particularly in open areas. She committed to a deep dive into the data, focusing on positive outcome rates to ensure investigations are effective.

Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)

Adam Browne, ASB, CCTV and Enforcement Manager, reported significant progress in the council's approach to ASB over the past 12-18 months, emphasising improved multi-agency working with the police, housing providers, and public health teams. He highlighted joint operations, including days of action and the execution of closure orders, which now incorporate outreach services to support vulnerable individuals. The council has also been successful in securing funding for a cuckooing¹ initiative, addressing over 60 cases of exploitation in the past year. Browne noted challenges with the court process, with evictions and injunctions potentially taking up to two years.

A proposal was put forward to establish a Strategic ASB and Street Scene Governance Group to oversee ASB and street-scene harm, reporting to the Community Safety Partnership. This group would aim to formalise the approach, provide assurance, and ensure learning from ASB case reviews. There was broad support for this initiative, with discussions focusing on resource allocation and the inclusion of additional agencies.

Hate Crime

Elvan Asutay, Prevent Engagement Officer, provided an update on hate crime initiatives, noting that Hate Crime Awareness Week was scheduled for the following week. Activities included lunchtime sessions for council staff on antisemitism and anti-Muslim hostility, school assemblies, and a tri-borough event with Islington and Hackney councils outside Finsbury Park station. Asutay highlighted the distinction between anti-Israeli government sentiment and antisemitism, noting that the former was contributing to some reporting. The team is also focusing on understanding repeat victim prevalence and ensuring adequate support for those affected.

Serious Violence

Mark Wolski presented an update on serious violence, noting an amber status due to a 7.8% rise in violent crime, though this compared favourably to some neighbouring boroughs. He highlighted the Violence Reduction Action Plan (VRAP), which encompasses a broad range of activities beyond just knife crime, including education, safeguarding, and neighbourhood interventions. The plan is being reframed around a universal, secondary, and tertiary prevention model. Matthew Knights, Head of Service for the Youth Justice Service, presented on the Knife Crime Awareness Campaign Week, detailing activities such as a youth mobile hub, bleed control workshops, and enforcement operations. He noted that while progress has been made, there is a need for more engagement with local faith leaders and continued focus on areas like Wood Green and Tottenham.

VAWG and Other Statutory Responsibilities

Chantelle Fatania, Consultant in Public Health, provided an update on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) initiatives, highlighting the expansion of safe spaces, ongoing prevention programmes in schools, and support for over 300 victim survivors. The SWASE (Sex workers and at risk of sexual exploitation) panel has been extended, and the council has secured participation in the internationally recognised Safe and Together programme for responding to domestic abuse. A domestic abuse-related death review protocol is also being developed.

Mark Wolski also provided an update on Prevent, reporting a green status. He noted positive feedback from a Home Office assessment of the Channel panel meeting and highlighted upcoming projects focusing on mental health, fascination with violence, and ideological narratives. The work of the Prevent education officer was commended as best practice across North East London.

The meeting also covered the Protect and Prepare initiative, focusing on preparedness for potential terrorist incidents, in line with Martyn's Law. A Protect and Prepare Board has been established, and initial mapping of council premises and public realm sites has been completed. Challenges include a lack of dedicated resources for training and coordination, and the need for clearer guidance from the Security Industry Authority.

Reduction of Re-offending

Joe Benmore, IOM Lead, presented on Integrated Offender Management (IOM), noting a cohort of 45 nominals. While phase analysis suggests a reduction in offending and crime costs after IOM, the data also indicates continued reoffending within the cohort. Benmore highlighted the long average time on IOM (1,167 days) and recommended a review of cases with extended periods on the programme. Sundeep, from the Probation Service, discussed the impact of the Sentencing Act 2026, which aims to increase prison capacity through earlier releases. He outlined new interventions, including SPARCS, and the use of electronic monitoring for early releases. He also noted significant pressures on the probation service due to staff retention challenges, despite Haringey and Enfield performing well against service level measures.

Community Safety Strategy Development

Joe Benmore also presented the programme for developing the new Community Safety Strategy 2027-2031. The process includes a 12-week public consultation, which launched on 14 September 2026, alongside themed workshops and library engagement sessions. The findings will inform a collaborative drafting process with partners, with a review by the Community Safety Partnership anticipated in January 2027, followed by Cabinet approval in April 2027 and Full Council ratification in July 2027.