I’d like to start this week by reminding you about a forthcoming operation that I mentioned briefly a few weeks ago.

Operation Autumn Nights is an operation aimed at targeting Anti Social Behaviour [ASB], which can blight the lives of communities - never more so during the period of half term, Halloween and Bonfire Night.

Vulnerable people can be left feeling scared and worried around this time of year because of uninvited trick or treating, or firework misuse, and my officers will be working hard to tackle these issues head on.

Under ‘Operation Safer Places Autumn Nights’, all 32 boroughs, working closely with partner agencies have a local plan in place to target ASB perpetrators and associated crime. Brent Borough's plans are being delivered by Safer Neighbourhoods Teams, supported by specialist colleagues and partner agencies.

Officers will be stepping up patrols at key times in hot spot areas, including after school patrols and patrols in town centres and transport hubs to disrupt potential involvement in ASB, violence and other criminal activities.

There will be test purchasing operations regarding the sale of fireworks, alcohol and over the counter weapons.

Schools officers have been reiterating safety tips to young people ahead of the festivities and Safer Neighbourhoods Teams are visiting vulnerable residents, who can be affected by this period, to address any concerns.

In addition, the MPS Safer Transport Command [STC], in partnership with Transport for London, will be carrying out increased high visibility patrols to prevent disorder on buses and at transport hubs across the Capital.

STC officers will be using this opportunity to engage with young people when they are out enjoying the Halloween and Bonfire period. Reassuring them and providing travel safety advice, as well as educating them on the importance of respecting their fellow passengers when travelling on Brent's transport network.

ASB tends to spike in the days and weeks around Halloween and Bonfire Night. We want people to enjoy the activities that go with Halloween and Bonfire Night, but make sure your fun is not at another person’s expense, as not everyone will want to get involved in activities such as trick or treat, which can leave them feeling scared and intimidated.

Residents and business owners in the Harlesden and Stonebridge areas may have noticed an increase in police activity in their area recently, which is part of a concerted effort to tackle crime and anti-social issues there. As you’d expect the Met’s resources are deployed in response to the intelligence available to us, and following extensive analysis of crime and ASB patterns. The deployment of our officers in Brent is no different, and our focus on areas of high footfall such as Harlesden is directly linked to that analysis.

Indeed, I’m very mindful of the need to maximise the visibility of officers on the streets, and therefore as a consequence of some community concerns in that regard I’ve decided to change the parade site for some of my Safer Neighbourhood officers in order to improve their visibility.

From Monday, 10November, Brent officers working on Safer Neighbourhood Teams will start and end their tours of duty at one of the three main stations on the borough – Wembley, Harlesden and Kilburn. This change is being introduced to improve the supervision, briefing and tasking of our officers, in addition to improving the visibility of our officers in the busiest areas of the borough.

This change won’t affect our Dedicated Ward Officers, or the Dedicated Community Support Officers on each ward, who’ll remain within their ward bases.

Finally for this week, could I ask you all to consider your safety and security as the nights start to draw in, so for example - please make sure your bikes have working lights; get a socket timer to turn on a lamp if you’re leaving your house unattended at night; and enjoy the celebrations such as Bonfire night and Diwali by attending an organised event if possible.

Stay safe.