Forum Topic

Crown Street - drug dealing

What has happened to Crown Street?  Not that it was ever a great place to be but I feel sorry for anyone who works or lives there these days.Daylight, I witnessed open drug dealing by young boys.  It was a stream of activity in the 10 mins I watched.  I called the Police but not sure anything happened as I had no call back from them, but that doesn't mean they didn't act.It's a den of poop.  Only way to describe it.  Boys, aged approx 15-16, 5'8"-10", Somalian, 3 of them, one dealing, other two flanking him.  if I hadn't have been:1) with very young daughter2) female3) less than heroic braveI'd have arrested them myself I was so indignant.

Angela White ● 5071d43 Comments

I'd have arrested them myself I was so indignant.Not a wise thing to do, as they often carry weapons and, wouldn't hesitate to use them.

Nicola Howard ● 5071d

Oh absolutely Nicola, but I was so indignant, I felt I was in danger of losing all self-protective instincts!

Angela White ● 5071d

The local Safer Neighbourhood Police are well aware of the issue of drug dealing and Crown Street. It does come and go, but periodically they do make arrests when they have acquired sufficient evidence.However we will always have dealing going on somewhere.

Pete Grist ● 5067d

The police probably didn't do anything about it. If it is obvious to you, a civilian, do you really think that the police, based a few hundred yards away, are completely unaware of this? It seems they sometimes are happy to "contain" drug dealing to a certain area (All Saints Road in Notting Hill was notorious for decades).However, I personally think this attitude is outrageous. It is just another example of lazy, incompetent policing. The police stay mainly behind their desks, and when they do venture out onto the streets, it is always in pairs so they can chat. Try catching their eye as they pass. They deliberately avoid eye contact.Rather than just walking and talking together, they should engage with residents by asking friendly questions such as "Everything alright round here at the moment?"People are by nature too apathetic to go to the police station or to stop passing police officers, so engaging with the community on the street would lead to a far better understanding of the crimes being committed in the area and of residents' concerns. I can't think why the police don't take this approach, apart from that it would give them more work.

Alfred Price ● 5067d

no disrespect but it was people like you that let them in, and they breed like rabbits

Walter Coady ● 5067d

People like who? You've lost me.

Alfred Price ● 5067d

Apparently it's all your fault Alfred. Wally is going to send the boys round...

Keith Iddon ● 5067d

ROFL! I am, admittedly, a highly important and influential person, but even I can't claim responsibility for the UK's immigration policy over the last 40 years!

Alfred Price ● 5067d

admittedly, a highly important and influential person,VIP?  Oh for such prominence, what a burden.

Nicola Howard ● 5067d

Yes, indeed, what a burden. In reality, of course, I am just a lowly pleb living in Acton. But, nevertheless, I pay my taxes, and therefore pay the police, and find their ineffectiveness very frustrating.Does no one else on this forum think the police could be doing a far better job?

Alfred Price ● 5066d

Short of working with the police for a month, how do you know they can do a "far" better job? Esspecially with numbers down.If a couple of coppers fail to greet you, then don't be a mouse. Greet them and ask them if they normally greet people as part of their public relations initiatives. Advise them not to be shy. Until a recent change I "trained" my local cops. Excellent relations ensued.

George Knox ● 5066d

Plod does a good job, considering and despite the cuts and (as I have said many times before) the Judiciary repeatedly letting them down.They catch the scum and then they have to watch helpless as some useless and ill informed Judge lets the  perpetrator off, yet again. Usually despite the perp having a record longer than your arm.If this continues there is going to be HUGE social unrest in this country - I predict next summer might be about right?Apoligies for meandering off topic!

Rosco White ● 5066d

On what basis do you assert that the local police are ineffective? Crime rates are generally down over the year for South Acton.

Pete Grist ● 5066d

Just because someone has a criminal record does not mean they are then guilty of all crimes for which they are charged.Indeed it could be argued that the Police tend to pursue those with a record simply because they are "known" criminals.  Juries have some input in whether someone is convicted not the Judge,  and if at Magistrates Court then the magistrate.Sentencing is not randomly plucked out of thin air by the Judge,  there are sentencing guidelines which provide the minimum and maximum sentence and the Probation Officer often prepares a report recommending the sentence etcFrankly I do not think things are always so black and white!!

Jen Morty ● 5066d

Spoke to two coppers while shopping on Churchfield Rd.  While I was in the butchers, there was another forum reader, complaining about drug dealing on Churchfield Rd, this time up the poo end by the car park.  Apparently he sits on the wall drinking and selling drugs.  The police are aware and, I was told that there are plain clothes officers on the prowl around Churchfield Rd and Crown St.  Not all coppers wear a uniform, so in that respect, it is not fair to slag them off, afterall, they are doing a difficult job.  Blame the magistrates/judges, for not taking these scum bags off the street.

Nicola Howard ● 5066d

Are crime rates down because people aren't as ready to report crimes?Judges/Magistrates.....the guidelines are not working then, are they, because, as Rosco says, there is great unrest in this country and in general I think we are absolutely dismayed by the lack of punishment for crimes committed in this country.  The sentences certainly do not match the crime committed.  Not tough enough.  Does it deter?  No!  So, who draws these guidelines up and who dictates them?  Jen?  Whoever it is, they are clearly out of touch with the average man in the street.  It's concerning.  I think Rosco is right and we should be very worried.As for the Police......they have far too much paperwork to contend with.  You arrest someone, anyone, or caution them, and you have to fill out lots of forms.  Are you seriously going to arrest someone near the end of your shift?  I think not.  Also, as someone has pointed out, they do the work, arrest someone and hey-presto, some Magistrate or Judge let's them off with a caution.  How demoralising is that?Wake up Government.  It's a time bomb.

Angela White ● 5066d

Angela,  I think it is the Sentencing Council by and large most crimes if memory serves me right have a min and max sentence as mentioned below."magistrate or Judge lets them off witha caution"  the Police are the ones who carry out a caution,  and if cautioned the matter does not proceed to court at all,  so no involvement of judge,  jury or magistrate.

Jen Morty ● 5065d

... and if anyone is interested, see:http://sentencingcouncil.judiciary.gov.uk/

Lorna Dodd ● 5065d

How funny, thanks Lorna and Jen - I found the sentencing council site this morning before seeing your post as I had questions in my mind regarding how these things are set-out for Judges, etc.  Really interesting.  I had a look at the "you be the judge" interactive section and I recommend others do that too.  Still going through the site when I saw your posting, so may come back to you. Thanks.

Angela White ● 5065d

The local police - the community ones anyhow - are recently back to strength. I think they do quite a lot about dealing - have recently in Churchfield Road. But it seems to take them an inordinate amount of time to get enough evidence.I find them very helpful when I go up to them but they dont always stay in the area for long so maybe don't have enough local knowledge.If only there was any evidence that imprisonment had any but a poor effect on those with drugs problems (apart from obviously taking them off a street for a bit) maybe more would be sentenced. But the re-offending rate for Young offenders imprisoned is 70% within a year - which is a really poor return on taxpayers money given the amount it costs to put them inside.

Sara Nathan ● 5064d

it is no laughing matter

Walter Coady ● 5043d

Who is laughing?I think we all take it very seriously - though have a variety of ways forward.

Sara Nathan ● 5043d

I do my best to avoid Crown Street. Unfortunately I'm registered at the surgery there. Every time I have to pay the surgery a visit, I see these boys loafing in pairs or sometimes sets of 4 or 5. It is amply clear they are up to no good as I've seen little packets exchanged for money a couple of times.Some of these boys tend to hang out inside the newsagents and off licenses on that road (Somali owned, I think). Maybe the police are waiting to gather evidence against the big fish, or have some other reason for not taking action right away. Meanwhile, for people who need to visit the surgery, it's a bit more stressful going in, no fun when you are already ill.And Angela and Nicola, please don't be tempted to confront them on your own. Apparently Somali gangs are THE most brutal in London (watched a documentary on TV).

Manish Madan ● 5042d

Oh thanks, Manish.  Warning taken.

Angela White ● 5042d

any idea who is buying the stuff .... if there was no demand then the sellers would go away.....

Dee Cook ● 5041d

It seemed to me, watching, all men and young(ish) at that - anything from 16 up to 35?  White, black, Asian.

Angela White ● 5041d

It is a pity that they can't all be photographed and their pictures pinned on a notice board for all to see.Looks as though this is a very masculine occupation.

Dee Cook ● 5041d

That would violate their Human Rights, and, these scumbags could prosecute for the violation.  What ever happened to name and shame?

Nicola Howard ● 5041d

As you have witnessed drug dealing taking place, and as you are so concerned about it, shouldn't you take your evidence to the police?

Pete Grist ● 5041d

I have, Peter.  I called the Police there and then.  I've been told before by the Police to call 999 when you witness dealing taking place, as it happens, not afterwards.

Angela White ● 5041d

It would be interesting to know if the two recent murders in Acton/Ealing are drug related.

Dee Cook ● 5040d

Seeing as Paula Castle was a visually impaired elderly lady. I doubt her murder was anything to do with drugs. The more energy people put in to telling the police and local authorities that there is a drug dealing problem in an area the more likely something will be done about itEaling Council and Police do read these posts but they need information sent direct to them as it is seen as better 'intelligence' so they can act on it

Peter Preston ● 5040d

And hasn't someone already been arrested for the other one - at least the ES says a 31 year old man is helping with enquiries or some such.

Sara Nathan ● 5040d

that's what I read, the man arrested I believe lived in the same property as the deceased.

Dee Cook ● 5039d

Peter, but the person(s) who murdered her could have been doing so, either to steal something to sell in order to purchase drugs, or actually be high on drugs and carrying out the murder just for kicks.

Dee Cook ● 5039d

looked like there were 2 dealers waiting for customers, Goldsmith Avenue j/w St. Dunstans Avenue last night at about 5.45 pm - one white tall and well built with a grey cotton hoodie (hood up), one black, small with face exposed.What we need is some mobile CCTV units to catch these people.But I still ask - who is buying the stuff - my neighbours.  Perhaps they could explain themselves?

Dee Cook ● 5038d

Not necessarily, Dee.  It may be these dealers live locally and it's an obvious place to stand as it's accessed via 4 roads and the footbridge.

Angela White ● 5038d

These dealers don't seem very bright, often dealing in broad daylight in a suburban area where they must know they stand out like a sore thumb and that they'll be observed and reported.And yet, from reading the various postings, this is entrenched and has been going on for years and years.Hmmmmmmm.

Rosco White ● 5038d

Standing on a street corner wearing a hoodie does not make you a drug dealer, even in such a busy place as St Dunstans Ave.

Pete Grist ● 5038d

Pete --- I think by now at my age I can recognise someone who is up to no good.  You are far too trusting.  This has been going on for at least 15 years to my knowledge and the local police are well aware of it happening at this location.    They stand there for so long they have time to eat their fast food and drink a couple of cans of lager!  Depositing their rubbish in the flower beds. Although recently they have been standing at the junction with Shakespeare Road.

Dee Cook ● 5038d

more debris thie morning, and they do like to pee in the corner behind the flower bed on the left hand side?

Dee Cook ● 5035d

This is probably how the police feel their resources can be used most effectively. Cannabis Factory on Murray Road  ( www.ealingtoday.co.uk ) Tackle the source, then there's less stuff to sell on the streets.The kid might only end up with a slap on the wrist, but it's one less cannabis factory.(This winter, make a note of houses with no snow on the roof!)

Fred Bray ● 5035d

.... and they use perfum to disguise the smell of the plants......The police also use a heat detecting device (the plants need lots of heat to thrive) .....so do report anything untoward to the local community police, as they will pop round with the gadget to check it all out.

Dee Cook ● 5035d