The Safe Redbridge Policy Development Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday 2 February 2026. The committee will review the draft outcome report for their 2025/2026 work, which focuses on aligning police and council policy and priorities. They will also discuss the committee's work plan.

Review of Draft Safe Redbridge Policy Development Committee 2025/2026 Outcome Report

A significant item on the agenda is the review and agreement of the draft outcome report for the Safe Redbridge Policy Development Committee's 2025/2026 work. This report, titled Aligning Police and Council Policy and Priorities, details the committee's findings and recommendations stemming from their discussions.

The committee's work has focused on several key areas. One of these is the effectiveness and use of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs). The report pack indicates that PSPOs are powers under the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 designed to help councils tackle persistent anti-social behaviour in public spaces. They aim to ensure these areas can be enjoyed without unnecessary restrictions on legitimate activities. The report pack highlights that PSPOs can last up to three years and can be renewed. It also notes that there is considerable variation in how PSPOs are used across London boroughs, with some councils issuing significantly more fines than others. In Redbridge, there are currently three PSPOs in place, covering sexual harassment across the whole borough, town centre anti-social behaviour in Ilford Town Centre, and the buying of sex in Ilford Lane and surrounding areas. The report pack includes a case study on the use of a PSPO to address prostitution on Ilford Lane, noting a significant reduction in the issue since its introduction.

Another key theme explored by the committee is improving collaboration between the police and the council. This includes examining how ward councillors engage with the police, how casework responses can be improved, and the interaction between councillors and ward panels. The report pack details the current crime and safety picture in Redbridge, listing domestic abuse, violence, theft, and shoplifting as the most prevalent crimes. It also outlines the structure of the Metropolitan Police Service's East Area Borough Command Unit within Redbridge. The committee has considered public trust and satisfaction in local services, with data from the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) showing some improvements in perceptions of reliability and fairness in Redbridge between 2024 and 2025. The report pack also details current collaboration mechanisms, such as ward panel meetings, the Safer Communities Partnership Board, and the use of the Met Engage platform for residents to connect with local officers.

The committee has developed a series of recommendations based on these discussions. These include improving PSPO communications and signage, exploring additional locations for PSPOs, and enhancing how the council and councillors support the police in using Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) linked to PSPOs. Recommendations for improving police and council working practices include ensuring at least one councillor attends each ward panel meeting, implementing induction training for councillors after the 2026 election, and improving communication with councillors following serious incidents. The committee also suggests developing a councillor toolkit on the Redbridge intranet for crime and safety-related issues and ensuring councillors are provided with the work number for their local Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) sergeant. Further recommendations focus on promoting the Met Engage platform, local policing WhatsApp channels, and increasing clarity on how and where residents can report issues.

Safe Redbridge PDC Work Plan

The committee will also review the Safe Redbridge Policy Development Committee Work Plan for 2025-2026. This plan outlines the topics scheduled for discussion at future meetings, including the review of the outcome report on 2 February 2026 and a subsequent meeting on 2 March 2026 to receive the outcome report and refer it to the Overview and Scrutiny Committee. A further meeting is scheduled for 30 April 2026, with the topic to be confirmed, potentially considering pre-election period matters.