The Residents of Clariat Court Clariat Court Boddington Gardens London W3 9AT

XB Ealing Borough XD Ealing Police Station Ealing Common SNT 180 South Ealing Road Ealing, London, W5 4RJ (T): 0208 721 2948 Email/Website: EalingCommon.SNT@met.police.uk www.met.police.uk September 2012

Dear Residents of Clariat Court, Im alarmed to hear of Ealing Councils intention to force you to remove the gate currently located on Gunnersbury Lane opposite Acton Town Tube Station. I also understand that if this isnt done then they would like the gate to be open for large portions of the day between 9am and midnight. From a Safer Neighbourhood Point of view, I would have to question the reasoning behind this decision. As local residents, you will know that one of the roles of the Safer Neighbourhood Team is to offer crime prevention advice when needed or requested. In this case, my advice would certainly be that it is paramount for the gate to remain closed at all times to non-residents as I am of the opinion that this would go some way to helping prevent crime within the boundaries of Boddington Gardens. I am also aware of the childrens playground (the LEAP) which is right beside the back pathway. I share your concerns that you have over the safety of your children should the gate remain open. I refer to my answer in the above paragraph. I am in possession of a letter from Ealing Council Planning Services sent to PRC Fewster Architects on 21/05/2005 stating that planning permission has been granted for the building works to be carried out at Boddington Gardens. An extract from the letter from the Metropolitan Police Crime Prevention Advisor is as follows:Cycle Way / Pedestrian Access from Gunnersbury Lane: I would consider controlling the access to this route by gating the entrance where it meets Gunnersbury Lane. Due to the particular layout of the site this route is long and narrow. It benefits from little natural surveillance and may become an area frequented by anti-social elements leading to crime and disorder problems. Access control would limit the use to residents and also assist in providing a degree of protection for the LEAP that is situated between the cycle way and the rest of the development. The leap would otherwise similarly become attractive as an area for inappropriate loitering.

As part of the Ealing Common SNT, I am aware of the access points into Boddington Gardens W3. I very much share your opinion that if people want to gain access into Boddington Gardens, and are residents, then have a key fob of some kind to gain access via the gate on Gunnersbury Lane. If not residents, and they still want to gain access into Boddington Gardens, then it is right that they should not be allowed access via Gunnersbury Lane as I have been told that the pathway is private and has no right of way. Add the fact that perfectly good access into Boddington Gardens can be made via GUNNERSBURY CRESCENT, GUNNERSBURY GARDENS, LILLIAN AVENUE and TUDOR WAY, you have no access issues for people, apart from residents, that require access into Boddington Gardens. The above roads all lead onto the Carbery Avenue entrance of Boddington Gardens and in my opinion provides a perfectly good answer to those raising a point about opening up the gate on Gunnersbury Lane due to access reasons. For something as simple as having the gate closed to non-residents, it goes a long way to protecting the interests / security of residents of you, the residents of Boddington Gardens and making you feel safe in the boundaries of your own home.

Kind regards

Stephen Howe PC 593XB Ealing Common Safer Neighbourhood Team Were here to help Please do not hesitate to give us a call to discuss any issues you may have, Ealing Common Safer Neighbourhood Team : 0208 721 2948. In an emergency : 999 Non emergency : 101