Barnardo’s chief launches community crime commission

The 16-strong commission is made up of residents alongside experts in the fields of policing, education and youth work. 

• Best practice: Taking teachable moments to cut risk of violence

• Analysis: Study reveals most effective ways to measure impact of youth work

It will focus on five key areas including anti-social behaviour, violent street crime and domestic abuse.

Chaired by Khan, the commission will hear evidence from residents about the impact of crime in the borough, as well as gathering insights from research into the issues residents have raised. 

The commission will meet regularly throughout summer 2021 with the aim of creating a set of recommendations which will be presented to the Redbridge Council’s cabinet later this year.

Running alongside the commission will be a panel of 60 local volunteers, the Community Voice, who are tasked with ensuring that the views of local people are well represented.

Khan said: “It is a huge honour to lead the very first community crime commission in Redbridge. 

“I’m convinced that tackling crime can only be done successfully if communities are directly involved, with local people having a huge role to play alongside the council, police, health services and other service providers. The commission is an opportunity for us to bring all those voices together, to create innovative solutions that make a lasting difference and our communities safer for everyone.” 

The launch comes as Mayor of London Sadiq Khan announced a further £1.8m in a programme aimed at diverting young people away from county lines activity.

The Rescue and Response service was set up by the mayor in 2018 to support young people who are vulnerable and caught up in county lines drug distribution networks.

So far, 430 young people have worked with the services, of which, more than 80 per cent have either reduced or been supported away from county lines activity, City Hall reports show.

The service has also carried out 80 rescues, which involves collecting a young person from another county following arrest, ensuring their safe return home and the provision of ongoing support to help divert them away from criminal gangs.