My humble apologies for this long absence,with other pressing duties. Firstly,a huge thanks for turning up in force at the HPCCG July 8 meeting, which was most informative and moving. We spoke, unsurprisingly, at some length about the horrendous murder of Drummer Lee Rigby and its impact on the entire nation,if not world-wide. Many were still outraged by the shocking scenes they had witnessed and visibly upset.

One of our committee members had very kindly made a beautiful painting for the bereaved family members and handed it over to our Borough Commander Simon Ovens to pass on to them as a mark of love and respect.We admired this beautiful work created so painstakingly by this kind-hearted senior lady, and felt proud of the loving,compassionate gesture shown by this wonderful Harrovian.

The talk on counter-terrorism by the expert from New Scotland Yard helped us improve our understanding of how serious these issues are and made us realise that we have little choice but to remain vigilant, reporting any suspicious activity to the Metropolitan Police.We were also advised that the emphasis is now on the PREVENT strategy.

Borough Commander Chief Supt Ovens, updated us about police performance in Harrow. He alerted us to residential burglaries and other crimes which could be prevented if we implemented the useful crime prevention tips given out regularly by Harrow Police. The choice is ours!

He emphasised that he had instructed his officers to go about more actively making arrests where appropriate, and ensuring we have less victims of crime. This would also help disproportionate fear of crime come down and help reassure Harrovians that we are still a safe London borough.

He was keen that Harrow move up the league tables safety-wise and appealed to all of us to help make this possible.We were the seventh safest London borough at that time and stated clearly that his aim is to move slowly but steadily upwards. Everybody loved the sound of that!

He also assured us that Harrow is receiving more police officers and that ours is a borough where people can visit, shop, live and work in reasonable safety. Anti-social behaviour was not a big problem and any concerns such as drug dealing were being addressed actively.

All in all, it was a successful meeting thanks to the support of the public of Harrow. We announced our next meeting would be held on October 28 in the Council Chamber. However,this was replaced by an important meeting,with the permission of the HPCCG Chair and Management Committee,held by Harrow Council and the MOPAC (Mayor's Office of Policing and Crime) to spell out the future of Community Engagement in Harrow.

This was publicised locally and many turned up including the HPCCG membership and committee to learn about our future plans for the borough. As it happened this turned out to be a very helpful and constructive meeting, led by the leader of Harrow Council, Cllr Susan Hall, service manager, policy and partnership Mike Howes, and senior members of the MOPAC team. Borough Commander Simon Ovens was available throughout this meeting to take questions from the floor.

Since Harrovians turned up dutifully to this meeting we were able to hear what was in the pipe-line for the formation of Harrow's Safer Neighbourhood Board (SNB), which would be replacing the HPCCG. Community Engagement Groups(CEGs) London-wide were due to close on 31 March 2014 and have their local SNB up and running in its place.This is what is envisaged in the majority of the London boroughs.

To return to our own position.There is a common template for all these SNBs with an in-built flexibility to "tailor-make" the Board to ensure it fits in with local needs. Loads of questions were asked.We were given plenty of opportunity to examine what was on offer. The people of Harrow were very pleased that their demand for an SNB consisting of TWELVE lay members (the maximum allowed) was readily met, after a show of hands. This has given us the opportunity of being truly representative of our diverse communities.

We also voted in similar fashion and were pleased to have a positive outcome when we asked for our quarterly meetings to be held in public, at the Civic Centre, rather like the HPCCG has been doing for many long years.

Cllr Hall agreed that ACCOUNTABILITY and TRANSPARENCY were of prime importance and that she was also in favour of an AGM so that all the spends and progress could be scrutinised.This was all warmly received. The MOPAC team were in agreement as well.

The Borough Commander stated he would be attending all these public Safer Neighbourhood Board meetings and would continue to be accessible for questioning just as has been the practice in past years at the HPCCG.

He reiterated his vision of making Harrow the safest London borough. He has set his mind on getting us to the top during his term in Harrow, working hand-in-hand with the community.

Of course, there are many details which will be spelled out as we develop this new Board. The administration budget is quite low but Harrow Council has pledged their support on this count. There will be other funds available in due course,once the ball gets rolling. Watch this space!

I urge all Harrovians to please continue supporting in our policing efforts and to attend the meetings of this new body once they start,in the new financial year, exactly as they have done for their HPCCG.

Our deferred HPCCG meeting was finally held in Committee Rooms 1 & 2 on DECEMBER 3 and was well attended Many questions were put to the Borough Commander as well as our guest speaker, co-ordinator of STREET PASTORS, QUINTON STOWELL, who gave us an excellent talk about the good works they perform on our streets some nights of the week.We are very fortunate to have them in Harrow. Please look them up on Google.

We were very pleased that Quinton Stowell and our YOUTH OFFICER,TAMIM RAHMAN, had both recently recently been made HARROW HEROES and congratulated them for their many contributions.

Concerns were expressed by some members about recent reports in London newspapers about Asian residences being "marked "by potential burglars --- hoping to strike gold or find cash!.The Borough Commander promised to look into these reports. He confirmed we had now overtaken his own borough(MERTON) and that Harrow is now the SIXTH SAFEST and improving.

The Senior Police Analyst, Harrow Police, Sunil Galoria confirmed that our July statistics compared with the present ones showed a pleasing trend ---- Crime is FALLING in Harrow.

Our Chairman, BALDEV SHARMA, gave his last report at the penultimate meeting of the HPCCG and made a farewell speech stating he would not be available for our very last meeting at the end of March 2014. He was warmly thanked for his tenure of service from 2012.

Much has transpired since and things are looking up for Harrow's policing. Please note we will be holding the very last meeting of the HPCCG in the Council Chamber, at the Harrow Civic Centre, on Monday, 24 MARCH, 7 for 730pm.

We look forward to bidding a fond farewell and thank you all for years of loyal support and urge you to please attend along with your colleagues and friends. Your BOROUGH COMMANDER will be present and will not only give you the latest policing updates but will advise you about the formation and progress of Harrow's Safer Neighbourhood Board. He will also speak about the new policing model.

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