Our second week of action took place in Rayners Lane last week (30 October to 3 November).
Joint action between teams across the council, the police, Trading Standards and London Fire Brigade focussed on the issues that matter to local residents.
Together they headed to south of the borough to deal with fly-tipping, houses of multiple occupancy, business trading, parking, and street cleansing.
Shops along Alexandra Avenue and Rayners Lane were inspected with 5 notices issued on waste management. One unregistered business was found to operate without electricity supply, poor cleaning and health and safety issues. Trading Standards carried out checks on compliance on the sale of fireworks and tobacco. One business was cautioned and others will be followed up for further inspection.
Numerous fly-tips were investigated and cleared while graffiti from public land was cleared. 14 fines were also issued offences including littering, spitting and street drinking. Council officers were joined by the police on a weapon sweep in alleyways who also made two arrests for criminal offences and burglary.
Suspected HMOs and reported properties of disrepair were inspected. One property was found to be an unlicenced property with severe overcrowding. More than 10 adults and 3 children were suspected of living in cramped conditions with little space to prepare food in the kitchen. Serious hazards including exposed wires and unsuitable sockets for appliances. This is currently being investigated further, and the landlord is being approached.
Cllr Anjana Patel, Cabinet Member for Highways, Infrastructure and Community Safety said:
“Keeping our borough clean and safe for our residents and we are tackling the issues that matter most to them. While I know that many businesses and individuals have been compliant and taking care of their neighbourhoods, the few found to be blighting the area have been fined.
“This is our second successful week of action in the borough and it has shown us what can be achieved through excellent partnership and collaboration. Our teams will follow up with landlords and businesses where we have identified issues and take any further action against those found to flout the rules.
“Thanks to the work of our officers and partners which is helping to restore pride back in Harrow.”
Superintendent Matt Cray, from Harrow Borough Police said:
"I was delighted that my officers supported this second week of action coordinated by Harrow Council. It was great to see us working collaboratively to address community concerns and make the borough a safer place for all. My teams will continue to prioritise neighbourhood policing and seek to support such initiatives going forward as I believe they make a real, positive difference to people’s lives. I was delighted that my officers supported this second week of action coordinated by Harrow Council. It was great to see us working collaboratively to address community concerns and make the borough a safer place for all. My teams will continue to prioritise neighbourhood policing and seek to support such initiatives going forward as I believe they make a real, positive difference to people’s lives."