Havering Crime Falls 7%: Police Report Key Wins

Key Points

• Recorded crime across Havering has fallen by 6.9% over the past 12 months.
• Burglary decreased by 30.5%, vehicle crime by 16.8%, shoplifting by 5.6%, sexual offences by 2.3%, and possession of weapons by 6.3%.
• Neighbourhoods Chief Inspector Routley shared Havering Police’s monthly newsletter in The Havering Daily.
• Policing achievements depend on partnerships with officers, council colleagues, community groups, and residents.
• Residents are thanked for providing information, engagement, and support to Safer Neighbourhood Teams.
• Residents are encouraged to join local Ward Panels via Met Engage to shape policing priorities.
• Romford Town Centre team, comprising two Sergeants and 13 Constables, made 548 arrests and searched 1,242 individuals with a positive detection rate over 38%.
• This team works with Havering Council and Romford BID to keep Romford safe.
• Anticipated seasonal rise in robbery, especially mobile phone offences, affecting journeys to/from school, public transport, and busy spaces.
• Young people disproportionately affected; collaboration with schools, transport partners, and youth services ongoing.
• Advice for parents: Remind young people to keep phones out of sight, stay aware, avoid distractions; comply if threatened and prioritise safety.
• Register mobiles and valuables on Immobilise.com to aid recovery and deter theft.
• Met Engage platform used for updates on local issues, arrests, appeals, and safety advice.
• Chief Inspector Routley commits to visible, approachable policing focused on residents’ issues.

Havering (The Havering Daily) January 19, 2026 – Recorded crime across Havering has dropped by nearly 7% over the past year, according to Neighbourhoods Chief Inspector Routley, who shared the Havering Police monthly newsletter in The Havering Daily today. This decline includes significant reductions in burglary, vehicle crime, and other offences, reflecting collaborative efforts between police, council, and residents. Chief Inspector Routley addressed Havering residents directly as the new year begins, highlighting progress and offering safety advice.

What Progress Has Havering Police Achieved in Crime Reduction?

As reported by Neighbourhoods Chief Inspector Routley in The Havering Daily, recorded crime fell by 6.9% over the past 12 months. Specific reductions include burglary down by 30.5%, vehicle crime by 16.8%, shoplifting by 5.6%, sexual offences by 2.3%, and possession of weapons by 6.3%. These figures, shared in the monthly newsletter, underscore the impact of dedicated policing alongside community support.

Chief Inspector Routley emphasised that “policing is never done in isolation. Everything we achieve depends on partnership between officers, council colleagues, community groups and, most importantly, you—the people who live and work in our borough.” Residents are thanked for their information, engagement, and support to the Safer Neighbourhood Teams, which Routley states “genuinely makes a difference.”

The newsletter also recognises challenges beyond statistics, noting that “the fear of crime is often more difficult to address than crime itself.” To counter this, police listen to residents’ concerns and take visible action to ensure neighbourhoods look and feel safer.

How Can Residents Shape Local Policing Priorities?

Chief Inspector Routley invites residents to “join their local Ward Panel, where they can play an active role in shaping local policing priorities.” Further details are available via Met Engage, where locals can contact their Safer Neighbourhood Teams. This platform serves as a hub for involvement, aligning police efforts with community needs.

In the newsletter published by The Havering Daily, Routley stresses ongoing visibility:

“As Chief Inspector for Havering’s Safer Neighbourhood Teams, my commitment is clear: we will remain visible, approachable and focused on the issues that matter to you.”

Such engagement aims to sustain the downward crime trend into 2026 and beyond.

What Impact Has the Romford Town Centre Team Delivered?

One standout unit is the Romford Town Centre team, consisting of two Sergeants and 13 Constables. As detailed by Chief Inspector Routley in The Havering Daily, this team “made 548 arrests and searched 1,242 individuals with a positive detection rate of over 38%” in the past year. Their efforts focus on keeping Romford safe through tireless work.

The team collaborates closely with Havering Council and Romford BID (Business Improvement District). Chief Inspector Routley describes their approach as “a testament to their dedication and proactive approach,” highlighting arrests and searches as key to maintaining safety in a busy commercial hub.

What Robbery Risks Are Expected This Season?

Chief Inspector Routley warns of “a seasonal rise in robbery, particularly offences involving mobile phones” in the early part of the year. These incidents commonly occur

“during journeys to and from school, on public transport and in busy public spaces,”

with young people disproportionately affected.

To tackle this, police are “patrolling key locations and carrying out targeted operations,” while working with schools, transport partners, and youth services. Prevention advice includes parents and carers reminding young people to

“keep phones out of sight when not in use, stay aware of their surroundings and avoid distractions in unfamiliar areas.”

Routley adds a critical note:

“Importantly, no phone or item is worth risking personal safety. If threatened, comply and get to safety quickly.”

This guidance prioritises personal welfare amid rising threats.

How Does Immobilise.com Aid Crime Prevention?

A practical recommendation from Chief Inspector Routley is registering

“mobile phones and valuables on Immobilise.com, the national property register supported by police.”

This free service

“helps us identify stolen items and return them to owners, while making stolen devices harder to sell—a small action with a big impact.”

As outlined in the Havering Police newsletter via The Havering Daily, such steps empower residents to contribute directly to recovery efforts and deter criminals.

Why Use Met Engage for Community Updates?

The Met Engage online platform will “continue” providing residents with information on “local issues, arrests, appeals and safety advice.” Chief Inspector Routley encourages those not signed up to join, reinforcing it as a vital communication tool.

Routley concludes in The Havering Daily:

“Together, we can make Havering even safer in the year ahead.”

This partnership-focused message ties back to the 6.9% crime drop and specific reductions.

Broader Context of Havering’s Safer Neighbourhoods

The newsletter reflects on “encouraging progress in several areas” over the past 12 months, crediting both police teams and community backing. Chief Inspector Routley’s direct address to residents marks the new year with optimism, balancing achievements against persistent challenges like robbery fears.

No other media outlets beyond The Havering Daily have reported additional details on this specific newsletter as of January 19, 2026. All statements and figures derive solely from Chief Inspector Routley’s contribution therein, ensuring comprehensive coverage without omission.

Havering Police’s emphasis on visibility addresses resident concerns head-on, fostering trust. The Romford team’s 38%+ detection rate exemplifies proactive policing, while seasonal warnings equip families against phone snatch risks. Ward Panels and Immobilise.com offer actionable resident roles, amplifying collective impact.