Taking a Tour of Hanwell's 'No-go' Areas

Viv Ellis joins police and council officers looking to tackle street drinking

New seating area recently installed by Hanwell Clock

Street drinkers congregating outside the Duke of York/Clocktower and up in Connolly Dell are attracting a lot of complaints and online comments. I joined a group of Police/Community Safety and Ealing Council licensing this Tuesday morning (1 August) for a walk around talking to residents, business owners and passers-by.

The police visited premises that sell booze (pubs, shops and off licences), checking their paperwork and reminding owners about their responsibilities (not to sell to anyone already under the influence, under age etc.) and talked to other shop owners about their thoughts and concerns.

Many people mentioned the recent and probably expensive installation of stylish, comfy seating (which the police were not told about in advance). One suggestion was to add armrests so people can’t lie down, and have reminder notices about no drinking.

The police say that in some ways they have an impossible job. If people are not drunk, being offensive or misbehaving in other ways they are not breaking the law. While people might not like them being there because they look scruffy, or they’re a bit smelly that is not a crime and there isn’t anything the police can do.

Would we as residents and citizens really want that to change? (Obviously I always look impeccable so I’m ok).

(Photo: Liz Jenner)

There are a lot of CCTV cameras – I was told how recently a young man was spotted remotely in the doorway of Domino’s Pizza clearly up to no good. The police responded, sped there, and caught him with 9 lots of cannabis in his pocket ready to sell. Footage is regularly monitored and a list of “The Usual Suspects” kept and updated.

(A street drinker at Connolly Dell. Photo: Kairi Malaspina)

People were helping – one popped out to tell the police that some of the drinkers buy several cans – hide them in some of the nooks, crannies and alleyways that we all know are around. Then, they make sure they just have one can in their hand if police arrive so it’s not life or death when that gets poured away. But those “stashes” can be monitored too now.

The Safer Neighbourhoods Team are also aware that many drinkers have long term “issues” including homelessness, joblessness, alcohol dependency and yes they do make sure that referrals are made where necessary.

I stayed with the group as we walked up to Connolly Dell, which many people (especially parents) feel has become a “No Go” area frequented by drinkers. The Rangers have made this park a priority recently and, on this morning, we were the only people there. Not a drinker in sight. Possibly a result of people in uniforms being around of course.

One officer told me how he recently challenged one man with a can in his hand only to find it was non-alcoholic beer. “You can’t jump to conclusions”.

I was shown where the hedges on one side have recently been cut down so it’s harder for drinkers in the park to stay hidden and residents can spot and report them. It seems to have made a difference. The police are hoping to have a Community Engagement day there soon and they say they will repeat this exercise with plain clothes officers.

Viv Ellis

August 2, 2017