People often approach me and moan about the police not doing something they should, or enough or something they want. Sometimes I say and sometimes I think (but don’t say), ‘hang on there, and think about what life was like before Safer Neighbourhoods’. Then the Police were pretty rubbish about dealing with local issues and ‘minor’ crime. We also got out of the habit of smiling, talking to people and being nice.

So, I was extremely happy when the Alperton team told me about something they had done between Christmas and New Year. Sgt Tim Boyall approached Richard Meade the manager of Sainsburys in Ealing Road and asked if he would consider hosting (ie paying for) a meal for some of the elderly of the ward. Sainsburys agreed and provided a lovely Christmas dinner with all the trimmings. The Safer Neighbourhood Team identified the guests, bussed them to and from Sainsburys, and acted as waiters and waitresses to generally ensure all had a great time.

A few days ago I received a letter from one of the guests who wrote. ‘Alperton is very lucky to have a team like you, your presence is very re-assuring’.

Policing is about many things, but fundamentally it is about ensuring that we stand up for the weak, for the vulnerable, and for the victim. It’s not arresting the bad guys but in its own way what the Alperton team did was just as valuable. It costs very little to put a smile on somebody’s face but its important because for some people if we don’t then nobody else will.

Keep safe Neil