Lambeth council says a team of outreach workers is operating in Brixton town centre to engage with drug users.
There has been mounting concern about crime and anti-social behaviour in Brixton, with many local people saying it is the worst for decades.
The council and police were heavily criticised at a public meeting about the issue earlier this year and accused of failing to have a plan to tackle it.
The council says its outreach workers “attend well known locations and areas of concern, and engage with individuals in those areas to learn more about them, their needs and what support can be offered.
“The team go out on early morning shifts and through the day, liaising with the police and other agencies for wide coverage, shared intelligence, and a joint approach to help tackle the problems faced by local communities.”
It named Windrush Square, Brixton station, Electric Avenue, Electric Lane, Rushcroft Road, Nursery Road and Rush Common as areas of particular concern.
“The council has public protection officers out every day to deter crime and reassure locals, CCTV running to monitor and gather evidence, and a street engagement team to support people with drug-related issues. The teams are all working in the town centre to improve the situation,” the council said.
It added that its drug outreach and community support initiative operates alongside a boosted police presence in Brixton town centre to tackle persistent anti-social behaviour.
Dr Mahamed Hashi, Lambeth council cabinet member for safer communities, said: “As someone who grew up, lives and works in Brixton, I understand the issues in the town centre and know that action is needed – which is why the council is working closely with the community and the police to address them.
“The police lead on tackling crime, while the council undertakes enforcement and community support. We have been pushing hard for visible policing and for increased on the ground police presence that the area so badly needs, and are pleased to say this situation has improved.
“To support the community and police efforts, the council has boosted its on street presence which includes work to deter drug dealers in the area.
“We are determined to continue this work, help cut crime, support our residents and ensure people with drug abuse issues are offered support.”
The council said its public protection officers’ role includes providing referrals to the police where has crime occurred.
The council and the police are mounting days of action in the town centre. In the most recent, in September, a number of drug dealers were arrested. Further operations are planned, the council said.
The council’s public health team works with substance misuse services to run an on-street engagement team which works to boost referrals to treatment programmes, cut the number of injecting drug users, decreasing drug-related deaths and reduce drug and alcohol-related antisocial behaviour.
“The role of the team is to build relationships, better understand the needs of people who are using drugs and to support them to access treatment services,” the council said.
Outreach workers visit well known locations and areas of concern where they engage with individuals “to learn more about them, their needs and what support can be offered”.
The team go out on early morning shifts and through the day, liaising with police and other agencies for wide coverage, shared intelligence, and a joint approach to help tackle the problems faced by local communities, the council said.
“Lambeth council is acting effectively and collaboratively in addressing these issues,” Dr Hashi said.
“We have been engaging with the police and other partners on a regular basis with some really good outcomes and, as a result, have had positive feedback from residents who I met with to provide updates.”
As a resident in one of the areas of concern, I completely disagree with everything. The council appears not to do anything or ignore the extend of the problem. And from going to meetings, I see that most residents around Brixton are really frustrated with the lack of action from the council, the lack of collaboration between different departments and the police and the lack of proper communication with the residents.
What a load of ‘word salad’ this council’s attitude is what’s got our beloved Brixton into the mess it’s in.
They never take any kind of responsibility and just finger point at other departments to blame.
What an insulting article to the residents of Brixton.