The Crime, Environment and Transport Scrutiny Commission of Newham Council met on Tuesday 9th December 2025. The meeting focused on reviewing the effectiveness of partnerships aimed at improving community safety, particularly in Stratford and East Ham, and assessing the progress of the Newham Integrated Community Enforcement (NICE) model. Discussions also covered the annual review of the Newham Safety Partnership and its strategic plan, alongside updates on efforts to combat serious violence and anti-social behaviour across the borough.

Safer Stratford and Safer East Ham Partnerships

The Commission reviewed the operation and impact of the Safer Stratford and Safer East Ham Partnerships, which are place-based, multi-agency groups established under the Newham Safety Partnership (NSP). These partnerships bring together key operational leads from the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), British Transport Police (BTP), Community Safety Enforcement Team (CSET), Licensing, CCTV, Youth Empowerment Services, Public Realm, and business partners. Their aim is to address crime, anti-social behaviour (ASB), youth violence, vulnerability, and public space safety in Stratford and East Ham.

In Stratford, reported crime saw a 1.5% increase, with shoplifting being the most prevalent offence. However, there were reductions in theft from the person (-8%) and violence without injury (-2%). ASB reports in public spaces decreased by 7.1%. Key activities included environmental improvements at Jupp Road Bridge and Meridian Square, and policing operations that resulted in 180 arrests, over 400 searches, 96 drug seizures, and 33 weapons removed. The borough-wide PSPO on street harassment is progressing, and the Safe Havens scheme is being piloted in Stratford. Youth violence and knife crime remain a concern, with a 41% increase in knife-related offences involving under-25s, leading to police operations like Op Oneley.

In East Ham, overall reported crime decreased by 13.6%, with significant reductions in theft from the person (-28.1%) and shoplifting increasing by 23.3%. ASB reports increased by 25.1%, with noise complaints being the most common issue. Daily CSET patrols focused on High Street North, addressing ASB, robbery, and VAWG concerns. Partnership operations with the Police, Licensing, and Safer Business Network (SBN) were conducted, alongside safeguarding referrals for rough sleepers and vulnerable individuals.

Both partnerships are looking ahead to strengthen data-led problem-solving, continue joint patrols, enhance contextual safeguarding, and improve business liaison. Opportunities include the development of urban sports facilities in Stratford and further environmental improvements in East Ham.

Newham Integrated Community Enforcement (NICE) Model

The Commission reviewed the Newham Integrated Community Enforcement (NICE) model one year after its introduction. NICE aims to address fragmented enforcement activity and improve cross-service coordination. Over the past year, NICE has established a structured governance framework with weekly GRIP meetings for rapid tasking and monthly Tactical meetings for problem-solving. This has led to improved information sharing, clearer accountability, and a more joined-up approach to managing persistent issues.

Operational improvements include over 300 hotspot alerts, 200 joint taskings, and 100+ cross-service escalations. Safeguarding and vulnerability interventions have also been strengthened. Challenges remain in high-demand locations and with entrenched ASB issues. Lessons learned highlight the importance of consistent governance, multi-agency working, intelligence-led tasking, and the integration of safeguarding with enforcement. Performance indicators show 63 resolved cases out of 77 on the GRIP Tracker, with public space ASB, youth-related issues, and environmental crime being the most common case profiles. Case studies from Ordnance Road, licensed premises in Broadway, Stratford, and Stratford Park demonstrate successful multi-agency interventions.

Newham Safety Partnership (NSP) and Serious Violence

The Commission received an update on the Newham Safety Partnership (NSP) and its strategic plan for 2025-2028. The NSP, established under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, coordinates efforts to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour. Its priorities include trust, engagement, equity, neighbourhood crime, hate crime and extremism, modern slavery and exploitation, reducing re-offending, serious violence, and violence against women and girls (VAWG).

The Serious Violence Duty, introduced by the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022, requires specified authorities to work together to prevent and reduce serious violence. Newham has adopted the London guidance definition of serious violence, encompassing violence and exploitation affecting young people under 25, domestic abuse, and sexual violence. The NSP is the lead partnership for implementing this duty.

A Strategic Needs Assessment has been conducted, identifying key crime and disorder issues. For under-25s, violent offences decreased by 13%, but knife crime involving this age group increased by 9%. Robbery offences involving under-25s decreased by 5%, with 40.8% involving knife crime. Domestic abuse offences decreased by 7%, while sexual offences decreased by 3%. The NSP has identified priorities for reducing violence, including tackling knife-enabled crime, robbery affecting young people, and youth violence hotspots in Stratford. They will focus on early intervention, addressing disproportionality, building trust, community engagement, and hyper-local approaches.

The report also detailed the Newham Youth Safety Strategy 2025–2028, the Domestic Abuse Strategy 2025-2029, and the Newham Combating Drugs Partnership, all of which contribute to the broader community safety objectives. Funding streams from the Violence Reduction Unit (VRU), MOPAC, and the Home Office are supporting various prevention and reduction activities.

Safer Stratford and Safer East Ham Partnerships - Detailed Activity

Stratford has seen an 8% reduction in theft-from-the-person offences and a 7% reduction in street-based ASB service requests. Policing operations have led to 180 arrests and 33 weapons removed. VAWG interventions include the Ask Angela scheme and Safe Havens. Youth violence remains a concern with a 41% increase in knife-related offences involving under-25s, prompting police operations and referrals to youth services. ASB activity in Meridian Square, The Broadway, and Stratford Park has been addressed through patrols, PSPO interventions, and environmental improvements. The Urban Sports Strategy is developing, including a potential skate hub.

East Ham experienced a 13.6% decrease in overall recorded crime, with significant reductions in theft from the person (-28.1%). ASB reports increased by 25.1%, with noise complaints being the most common issue. Daily CSET patrols focused on High Street North, addressing robbery, violence, and VAWG concerns. Partnership operations with the Police and Licensing have been conducted, and safeguarding referrals have been made for rough sleepers and vulnerable individuals. Environmental and licensing actions have also been undertaken.

Newham Integrated Community Enforcement (NICE) Model - One Year On

The NICE model has been reviewed one year after its implementation. It has established a clearer governance framework with weekly GRIP meetings and monthly Tactical meetings, leading to improved intelligence sharing and coordinated action. Over 60 cases have been resolved, with 14 active. Operational improvements include enhanced intelligence sharing, more targeted deployments, and increased staff confidence. Challenges persist in high-demand locations and with entrenched ASB. The model is evolving towards a more intelligence-led and preventative approach, with a focus on VAWG, youth safety, and environmental crime. Performance indicators show a high rate of resolved cases, with public space ASB, youth-related issues, and environmental crime being key areas of focus. Case studies highlight successful interventions in Ordnance Road, licensed premises in Broadway, Stratford, and Stratford Park.

Safer Stratford Partnership Meeting

The Safer Stratford Partnership Meeting, held monthly, aims to address ASB, youth safety, child exploitation, crime, and community safety concerns in the Stratford area. It reviews data and intelligence, agrees on actions with leads and timescales, and sets KPIs. Core members include the Police, BTP, CSET, Youth Services, SBN, Westfield, Stratford Mall, and LLDC. The partnership has seen reductions in theft-from-the-person and violence without injury offences in Stratford, alongside a decrease in illegal street-trading ASB. However, knife-related offences involving under-25s have increased. The partnership is working on environmental improvements, VAWG initiatives, and addressing skater ASB through an Urban Sports Strategy.

Safer East Ham Partnership Meeting

The Safer East Ham Partnership Meeting, held bi-monthly, focuses on ASB, VAWG, robbery, and crime in East Ham. It aims to reduce robbery and theft on High Street North, violence against persons, ASB (including street drinking and gambling), and improve feelings of safety. Core members include the Police, BTP, CSET, Youth Services, SBN, Licensing, Parking Enforcement, and Public Realm. East Ham has seen a 13.6% decrease in overall recorded crime, but ASB reports have increased, particularly noise complaints. Hotspots include East Ham Station and High Street North. The partnership is undertaking daily patrols, joint operations, and safeguarding work.

Newham Integrated Community Enforcement (NICE) - Crime and ASB Data

Newham has seen a 0.9% increase in reported crime, with Violence Without Injury and Shoplifting being the main offence types. Knife crime has decreased by 15.4%, while Hate Crime reporting and Domestic Abuse have increased, potentially due to improved confidence in reporting. ASB reports have increased by 9.4%, with noise complaints being the most common issue. Hotspots for crime include Stratford Olympic Park and Stratford Ward, while ASB hotspots are in West Ham Ward, Forest Gate South, and Plaistow North. The NICE model is actively working to address these issues through targeted operations and multi-agency collaboration.

Funding and Initiatives

Various initiatives are supported by significant funding. The MOPAC LCPF provides substantial grants for services such as Hestia's Domestic and Sexual Violence Service (£1,007,154), CGL's Substance Misuse Assert Outreach (£1,007,154), and an Integrated Offender Management Coordinator (£268,169). The VRU provides £600,000 for the CIDVA Service and £200,000 for the Robbery Reduction Project. The Serious Violence Duty is supported by £29,148.86 from the VRU. The Critical Incident Fund can provide up to £10,000 for serious incidents involving victims under 25. The Home Office funds Surrender Knife Bins.

Key Partnerships and Strategies

The meeting highlighted the importance of several key strategies and partnerships, including the Newham Safety Partnership (NSP) Strategic Plan 2025-2028, the Newham Youth Safety Strategy 2025–2028, the Domestic Abuse Strategy 2025-2029, and the Newham Combating Drugs Partnership. The Serious Violence Duty requires collaboration between the police, fire and rescue authorities, justice organisations, health bodies, and local authorities. The NICE model is supported by a governance structure involving strategic, tactical, and operational meetings, with a focus on data-led action and multi-agency problem-solving. The Safer Stratford and Safer East Ham Partnerships operate under the NSP, bringing together various agencies to address local crime and ASB issues. The report also detailed the terms of reference for these partnerships, outlining their objectives, membership, and accountability.

The meeting also referenced the importance of the London Local Government Act 1972, the Localism Act 2011, and the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 in relation to council functions and financial management. The Council's corporate plan, Building a Fairer Newham, underpins many of these community safety initiatives.

The Crime, Environment and Transport Scrutiny Commission noted the reports and made several action requests, including assessing bin theft costs, promoting composting, reviewing the food waste programme's risk register, recruiting Waste Champions, utilising Council Tax bills for communication, seeking ELWA responses on outsourcing decisions, preparing submissions for the Housing Revenue Account on bin store reconfiguration, and reviewing ELWA's use of Government Green Book methodology. They also requested a site visit to Jenkins Lane and for correspondence with DEFRA to be shared. Regarding the Parking Strategy, the Commission requested updates on tiered vehicle removal systems, size/weight-based charges, Workplace Parking Levies, reviews of the MiPermit system, engagement with private car parks, and a briefing on parking revenue surplus allocation.

The meeting also highlighted the ongoing work of the Newham Safety Partnership, including its annual review, strategic plan, and efforts to combat serious violence and anti-social behaviour. Specific initiatives mentioned include the Robbery Reduction Project, My Ends programme, and the Detached Youth Service. The NICE model's progress and impact were detailed, alongside the operational activities of the Safer Stratford and Safer East Ham Partnerships. The London Fire Brigade's community engagement events and adult safeguarding outreach were also noted.

The meeting concluded with a confirmation of the date for the next Crime, Environment and Transport Commission meeting on 4 February 2026.