The tragic events in Woolwich last week sent shock waves through all of our communities.  Here in Harrow, one of the most racially diverse boroughs in London,  it's understandable that there is concern from members of our community about their safety and the ramifications of such an event. I am overwhelmed by the support from the community for your local police.  In particular, I was able to address all of Harrow's Councillors at their meeting in the Civic Centre last Thursday. I brought them up-to-date with events and explained to them all the action we are taking to provide reassurance in the community.  They asked me lots of questions and offered me their support.  Last Friday I also attended  Harrow Central Mosque where I spoke to the entire congregation about what we are doing in Harrow. My message to you is, please carry on your normal business as usual and be reassured that the Metropolitan Police are doing everything within their ability to bring those responsible for this shocking attack to justice and to maintain peace and harmony in our community.  It is at times like these when we are at our best in terms of community cohesion and mutual support.

I have been incredibly proud of the response of my officers in changing their work patterns and disrupting their home lives to spend extended periods at work protecting the community.

In spite of the unexpected events of last week we have had another busy and productive week of policing the borough.  Our Safer Transport Team (STT) were holding a Week of Action in and around the Wealdstone area where they were working with Revenue Protection Inspectors (RPIs) from Transport for London tackling fare evaders, targeting those dealing and using drugs with the help of Henry the drugs dog and his handler PC Andy Weaver as well as targeting illegal drivers for driving offences.

They arrested one person for possession with intent to supply Class A drugs during last Monday's drugs operation and fined two people for possession of cannabis; They also issued 3 cannabis warnings.  The Revenue Protection Inspectors handed out 11 penalty fares (£80 reduced to £40 if paid within 21 days). Safer Transport Team officers made one arrest for fraud by false representation which resulted in a caution.

During the Automated Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) operation which was in place at High Road, Harrow Weald on Wednesday we stopped 33 cars . We seized one car which wasn't insured, and a moped because the driver was not driving in accordance with a licence.  We also fined a driver for using his mobile phone whilst driving.  Civil Enforcement Officers working alongside us issued a hefty fine of over £500 to the driver of a vehicle for being in a yellow box junction and another driver received a fine of £370.24 for an unpaid parking ticket.

The Safer Transport Team were also working with Harrow Council's Licensing Officer tackling street drinkers and raising awareness that the Borough of Harrow, as a whole, is an alcohol-free zone.  PC Nothay of the STT who organised the Week of Action with the help of PC Beattie said the week was a success and that shop-keepers and members of the public welcomed the strong police presence.

We took part in Operation Big Wing last Thursday, a pan-London policing operation targeting crimes that affect our local communities. Despite the extra policing requirements that the Woolwich incident generated, we still managed to complete many of the planned tasks.  Officers arrested two men on suspicion of robbery after making an early morning call at their addresses. We continued to carry out arrest enquiries throughout the day and by mid afternoon the cells were full.  We had 13 people in custody for robbery, drugs, perverting the course of justice, harassment, public order and alcohol related offences.

A quick round-up of other arrests and charges that have come to notice this week.  We arrested and charged a 17-year-old youth with robbery after a member of the public called us saying that they recognised him as being the suspect of a chain snatch that took place the previous week. He was kept in custody until his court appearance.

We arrested and charged a 23-year-old man from Rayners Lane after he attended Harrow Central Police Station with false documentation and a forged letter from the Home Office to report a lost immigration card.  It transpired that the man, who has legal status in the country, was trying to get a new identity to claim benefits.  Please let this be a warning we will deal with and put before the courts anyone making a false allegation to police.

And finally, we identified an 18-year-old man as being the suspect of a robbery in Edgware after officers, investigating this case, circulated his photo which had been spotted on a social media site.  Facial recognition technology which came up with a possible match and he was arrested and charged. This is an excellent result and shows that no stone is left unturned when seeking justice for victims of crime.