Another late post from me — this time about last month’s walkabout in West Ham ward, starting outside the Vicarage Lane Community Centre and focusing on anti‑social behaviour concerns on both sides of the lane.
The walkabout was organised and led by my ward colleague Cllr Adjoa Kwarteng, and my thanks go to everyone who joined us:
West Ham Police Safer Neighbourhoods Team,
Council Highways and Housing officers,
Local residents, who brought detailed knowledge of the area and its challenges.
What we found
Residents highlighted a number of persistent ASB issues affecting the locality. Several environmental improvements were identified that could help reduce — or even “design out” — opportunities for crime and nuisance behaviour. These ranged from small practical fixes to more structural changes that will require coordinated action.
The key theme throughout was simple: residents, council and police working together. When all three come together on the ground, solutions become clearer and progress becomes possible.
An action plan is now being pulled together, and another walkabout is planned later this month to check progress and continue the joint work.
A small historical bonus
Being a history buff, I was delighted to spot that the local post box has been standing there since the reign of Edward VII — meaning it’s well over a century old. I asked local resident Bill whether he remembered it being installed… he assured me he did not!
