POLICE have spoken out about the biggest problems they face in Brentford and what they are doing to tackle them.
Drug dealing, car crime, burglary and youth engagement have been identified with the help of Brentford locals as Ward Priorities for the police force in the area.
Drug issues, which mainly affect the Haverfield Estate and Brentford Towers are one of the biggest concerns for many residents.
"We have been working closely with Hounslow Homes, Neighbourhood Wardens and the council in identifying addresses and taking action." said Sergeant Nathan Fane of the Brentford Safer Neighbourhood Team.
In early October a tip off from concerned neighbours led to the arrest of three men for supplying class A drugs from a garden on the Haverfield Estate.
Thirty eight wraps of crack cocaine were seized along with a large amount of cash. All three men are currently on bail awaiting trial.
Police also recently boarded up a house in Ealing Road that was being used by local criminals.
In recent months Brentford drivers have suffered from what police are calling "an unusually high number" of thefts from cars.
"These were concentrated around hotel car parks, on the High Street, in Watermans' car park and in car parks around the Brentford Towers tower blocks," said Sgt. Fane.
However police are reporting a considerable drop in reported offences during the first two weeks in November after deploying covert CCTV cameras and an increase in plain clothed and uniformed police patrols.
Although Brentford has one of the lowest burglary rates in the borough, with just five offences since the beginning of October, it is still considered a ward priority.
Sgt. Fane said: "In the run up to Christmas we find we have an increase in bogus callers who target the elderly with a view to stealing from their homes. If you have elderly neighbours or relatives who live alone please take time to visit them and remind them not to allow uninvited visitors into their home for whatever reason, to use the security chain when answering their door, and to call the police on 999 if they have any concerns at all."
If you have any information about drugs, vehicle crime, burglary, counterfeit notes or any other criminal matter contact the police 0300 123 1212 or anonymously via CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111
