Sainsbury's Supermarket Base For Local Police

Chat to Sgt Dave Turtle about local matters while you shop

Sgt Dave Turtle is Beat Manager for the Turnham Green policing ward and has written this blog

It has been a very busy couple of weeks for me on Turnham Green Ward. I have chaired a meeting of the Chiswick Business Leaders Forum held at Sainsbury's Essex Place. Managers from Waitrose, Marks and Spencer,Gap, WHSMITH and Robert Dyas with apologies from Tesco and Starbucks. We agreed to work closer together to deter thefts and improve community confidence.

Sainsbury's have even offered an office as a base to operate from to improve the police presence. Do not be surprised to see police in store next time you collect your groceries ! (This is not to replace the Chiswick police station but is an operational base.)

I was also asked to support the Chiswick Park Community Fireworks event which was attended by over 5000 staff and local residents. We dealt with an aggressive man and facilitated traffic leaving the site. I was handed a microphone to endorse the chosen charity, Shooting Stars Chase Hospices, as my son occasionally uses their services. My ears were still ringing half an hour later.

Following the fireworks I made my way to meet 30 young people at the Duke Road Youth Club to talk about crime issues that affect them Some very good questions raised around Stop and Search, sexual offences and behaviour and riding Segways on pavements. Great opportunity to show police care about their safety and to encourage young people to report offences. A big thanks to Denny Anthony, Youth Leader for organising this.

Using social media is now increasingly important to communicate and as a result I set up the first Twitter Live Surgery last week with 10-15 responses from Chiswick residents and some national enquiries ranging from cyber security to police resources. More of these are planned in future and will be advertised on Chiswick W4 website and The Chronicle. A Skype surgery is also being considered.

On a personal note, I took my son to see Diversity and Ashley Banjo, the secret street dance crew featured on Sky TV and Channel 4, at Brighton Conference Centre. I was invited on stage to try some moves which literally brought the house down.

Looking forward to the festive season and taking part in carol services across Chiswick.

Stay Safe.

November 5, 2015