Cllr Ben Sewell used his maiden speech at Westminster Full Council on 11 November to speak up for Vincent Square residents living with drug dealing, rough sleeping and rogue pedicabs, and Cllr Caroline Sargent, Cabinet Member for Enforcement, set out what the council is doing about it.
"A problem inside their own buildings"
Ben, elected to represent Vincent Square, paid tribute to his predecessor Martin Hayes and described a ward that is "geographically small, but it has so much going on", from the Millbank Estate to Westminster Cathedral and Tate Britain.
He was clear about the challenges. "Drug dealing doesn't stop on our streets. For too many local people, it has become a problem inside their own buildings." Residents have told him about doorbells ringing night and day, about being threatened and intimidated, and about "finding people incapacitated in corridors and having to climb over them just to get in and out of their own homes."
"We need tougher action against those supplying drugs and exploiting people," he said, and asked for an update on pedicab licensing, which comes into force before the end of the year.
Compassion with enforcement
Caroline congratulated Ben on his maiden speech and agreed that Victoria and Vincent Square face "some of the most complex and persistent issues anywhere in Westminster."
Operation Verena, a joint operation with the police, resulted in 11 arrests for drug dealing in October alone, five criminal behaviour orders to stop people returning to the area and 60 community protection notices. The council has secured closure orders on premises linked to drug dealing, and four respect orders, "becoming the first local authority in London to utilise this new power."
On pedicabs, the council has issued over 600 fixed penalty notices this year against rogue drivers. "The enforcement burden can't fall on Westminster Council," Caroline said. "TfL must be appropriately resourced and prepared to enforce it."
"We will continue to combine compassion with enforcement, support with accountability, and partnership with decisive action. That's what our residents, businesses, and visitors rightly expect, and it's what Westminster Conservatives will continue to deliver."
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