Forum Topic

Death on Devonshire road

So awful. I was visiting the pet shop this morning. Passed two females asleep in an empty shop's doorway - drug paraphernalia all around them - or so I thought. Another braver passersby was worried about the the position of one and called an ambulance. Turned out one of women was dead - as all around people sat in the sun eating and drinking, walking their dogs - including me. So sad

Beccy Thorp ● 1103d55 Comments

The lady you speak of was under the Hogarth overpass yesterday afternoon with another female, different to the other lady in the doorway today, smoking 'something' from inside a ruck sack. Drug dealer was on the bench opposite the Tesla Garage receiving monies and giving something in return.  I observed them from the stationary bus. Reported to the Police at 1:30pm.  Hours later, they were all still there. The drug dealer can be seen riding his bike up and down Devonshire Rd and the High Rd on a regular basis.

Chris Bollen ● 1103d

Good for you for reporting. I hope the police are able to sort it. Despicable miserable trade

Beccy Thorp ● 1103d

I lost a nephew very recently to drugs it had been ongoing for many years,it's worrying when there is talk of legalising them as taking any amountleads to wanting something stronger.

Janice Evans ● 1103d

The lady that died today, her name was Rachel.  If Police had acted yesterday when I reported drug use under Hogarth passover, she may well have been alive today.  Watch out for a tall, slim, Somalian male, all black clothing, on a blue bike, riding Devonshire Rd and Chiswick High Rd on a regular basis, he's the local, one of them, drug dealer Rachel was with yesterday. Apparently, she died around 6am this morning, well before businesses opened, and while businesses did open up along this road, the employees walked passed her, and only one took action.  Respect to that business for at least phoning it in.  I feel ashamed myself.  Rachel had a son.

Chris Bollen ● 1103d

The Somalian guy sounds very like a person I saw that loosely tied an xl bully dog to his bike and bought a bottle of rum from Sainsbury's Local about a month ago.

Adrian Irving ● 1103d

Her friend is sleeping next to her didn't even notice. It wasn't a business that phoned it in, it was a middle aged lady heading home with her shopping. Tragic

Beccy Thorp ● 1103d

What a terribly tragic story. There is a lot of evidence to support the decriminalisation of certain drugs - there needs to be a grown up discussion about it.

Stewart Jones ● 1103d

So very sad… I posted just a few weeks ago about the obvious issues on Devonshire Road… and the High Road.. drug users and dealers up and down the street… able to roam about and shoplift to fund their habits… with little in the way of security or police presence… so sad that it ends up with a situation like this… we all need to do better… starting at the top and with those who have the authority to make a difference

Emma Elizabeth ● 1103d

Maybe two did phone in, I spoke to a business person who did.  It was backed up by staff.  Staff whom I know.

Chris Bollen ● 1103d

This shouldn't even be debated.  Not sure your point, because you weren't 100%?  Didn't even deserve a response to what I wrote.

Chris Bollen ● 1103d

“Another braver passersby was worried about the the position of one and called an ambulance. Turned out one of women was dead.”For God’s sake Beccy! Why didn’t you call the police and an ambulance? Calling 999 isn’t “brave”. It’s a civic duty. I’d NEVER leave two women alone like that.

Georgina Flint ● 1103d

Police is NOT interessted in catching drog dealers. Years ago we reported a drog dealer "working" practically in our doorway on Sutton Crt road. Police on the phone:" are you in immediate danger?" We: "well not per say, but can`t go out of the house, don`t feel safe." Police:" then stay in".

Cris Bur ● 1103d

How has Chiswick sunk to these depths. A stones throw from al fresco dining, cheese markets etc. I thought the car break ins and muggins were bad but this is devastating!

Maggie Dodge ● 1102d

This is far from being the first time a homeless person has been found dead on the streets of Chiswick. I can recall cases going back decades but they generally go unnoticed and unreported. What does seem to be new is the relative openness of drug dealing in the area. I've seen what looked very much like sales being made near the Best Western and on Dukes Avenue recently. If the limited police resource has been switched to shoplifting recently, it might have resulted in greater freedom for the local dealers.

Felicity Caborn ● 1102d

Think it's a case of them feeling safer near other people now rather than in parks etc., very sad situation.

Janice Evans ● 1102d

A woman was found near my Sisters home,  they said it was a chemical suicide it you have heard of this, new to me.

Janice Evans ● 1102d

Drug deals are now completely open with little or no attempt to conceal them. I witnessed one on the corner of Dukes Avenue and CHR on Sunday afternoon, broad daylight and with many people around. The dealer was wearing a regular pair of suit trousers and shoes but was naked from the waist up which looked out of place. The deal was done slowly and at arms length and completely visible to anybody passing by.A few weeks back I tried to report a drug deal that was happening on CHR on the bench outside the old police station (ironic) by calling 999. They asked if anybody was in danger and I told them well, there are three drug dealers sitting opposite me who are dealing openly but the operator told me to call 101. I called 101 and was greeted with an answerphone inviting me to leave a message and that they would get back to me within 3 to 5 working days. I thought about asking the dealers to hang on for a couple of days but decided against it.I understand that the police are after the suppliers and not the dealers but things are getting a bit out of hand when your 15 year old son comes home and tells you he saw a drug deal happening on the corner of your road at 11am on a Saturday.

Chris Blackwell ● 1102d

We need to invest in policing and (at the same time I should add) in programmes to treat drug dependency for what it is, a health problem and not a crime.Unfortunately the past 10+ years have seen only cuts to both police services and public heath.

Francis Sheehan ● 1101d

Francis you are right but the reality is we need to think about how to tackle these problems in an environment where resources are scarce and shrinking. Fewer police are available and programmes to help those with addiction are being cut not expanded.The problem appears to have increased recently after the council rehoused people involved in drug dealing in the area. Although I sympathise with Chris's dilemma, the police are on the case because I have seen unmarked cars in the area and I think it can be assumed they are at the stage of collecting evidence to build a case. This will be helped if people report any suspicious activity. The service from the 101 number is very disappointing but if you are on Twitter you can direct message @metcc. Include the date, the time and the exact location and they will log it for use in any subsequent prosecution.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1101d

Jeremy, you write "Francis you are right but the reality is we need to think about how to tackle these problems in an environment where resources are scarce and shrinking. Fewer police are available and programmes to help those with addiction are being cut not expanded."and I disagree with you there.

Francis Sheehan ● 1101d

Perhaps it is worth adding with reference to Felicity's point earlier, that these problems are interrelated. People shoplift because they need money to pay dealers. I hope she is wrong that the dealing has increased because police are being diverted away from tackling drug dealers because of the furore over shoplifting. If they are, they are treating a symptom not a cause. The best way to reduce shoplifting in Chiswick is to clamp down on drug dealers.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1101d

On what basis? Have I got this wrong, have police numbers increased and are drug rehabilitation programmes being expanded?

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1101d

Dear Jeremy, you say: "The problem appears to have increased recently after the council rehoused people involved in drug dealing in the area."Your statement sounds as if made from some direct knowledge. Can you please clarify as to exactly what is referred to here?Thanks.

Rae Lewis ● 1101d

No sorry Rae, I can't for reasons that I would hope would be obvious.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1101d

Dear Jeremy, forgive me if I am being stupid here, but please can you explain why is the council housing - or as you actually said 'rehousing' - people involved in drug dealing at all??Thanks.

Rae Lewis ● 1101d

The council has an obligation to find homes for people on their list and it probably doesn't say 'drug dealer' on the application form. An allegations need to be proved before someone can be removed from their home which is why I suggest people should report what they see.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1101d

Does anyone know what drugs these folk take? Just curious.

Simon Pedley ● 1101d

Crack cocaine and heroin

Georgina Flint ● 1101d

And crystal meth,the curse of all curses.Don't expect any police work to be done anytime soon,although a plain clothes officer or two in the area from time to time,especially as there is now a quite detailed description of the perp.responsible,might be the least the rest of us law abiding tax payers might expect our hard earned to be spent on.That a local force can't clean up a street or two beggars belief.I don't know whether it's poor resources,lack of will  or low morale that seems to put the police into stasis.Answers on a postcard please.

Keith Iddon ● 1101d

Crystal meth isn't used by street addicts. The UK doesn't have the isolated spots for production that other countries do so it is imported and therefore very expensive. Usage here is tiny compared to other drugs and generally confined to relatively wealthy gay men at chemsex parties.Why do you assume the police are doing nothing about this? There have been earlier issues in the Chiswick area including one where a woman was actively dealing drugs from a property near the High Road further east. The police needed time to gather evidence against her and finally were able to lock her up. This spate of drug dealing in the centre of Chiswick is a relatively new problem and it has to be assumed they are going through the same process of gathering enough evidence to secure a conviction which probably isn't as easy as you think seeing as your knowledge of the matter appears to be watching Breaking Bad.

Francis Rowe ● 1100d

I know a met police officer and he told me they are spending so much time dealing with mental health individuals and it is very frustrating for them because they want to be dealing with crime. So until we sort social care which is a major issue and shouldn’t be left to the police handle I can’t see the met being able to tackle crime on the street unless it is a major incident, truly sad state of affairs.

Jayne Thorburn ● 1100d

Some mental health problems come into play or can be exacerbated by drug abuse.Some people are surprised by the disaster that is social care although it’s pretty obvious to people in the profession that if you drastically cut back services then that’s what happens. People voted for drastic  austerity measures and now are surprised at the state of Social Care, the NHS, housing, schools, public services in general.

Stewart Jones ● 1100d

I disagree with the fact that resources are by default scarce. They aren't. They can be made available if there is a political will to do so.

Francis Sheehan ● 1099d

I don't disagree with you but we have to accept that greater resources to tackle this problem will not become available until a new government is elected and even then there is no guarantee that sufficient funds will be made available.That means for the foreseeable future the agencies involved have to deal with it with the resources currently at their disposal.  The most significant asset that they have is the support and assistance of the local community. The police will be able to deal with the problem but evidence has to be gathered and it may take time. If more people report what they say rather than complaining about lack of action, then a resolution will arrive more quickly.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1099d

I say that, Francis, because it is a quite long standing problem in the same place.

Keith Iddon ● 1099d

For information, as I've been in frequent touch with the police recently, they are indeed dealing with the issue of shoplifting from a broad perspective, recognising that those who shoplift are also victims of the drug dealing chain, and understanding that drug addiction is a symptom. The police are indeed building cases against dealers but it takes time to build a rock solid case. Reports from residents and our retail/hospitality businesses have been fundamentally important so if you know of an area/road/corner/house/alley where dealing or other activities are taking place, please let the police know. Doorbell video and CCTV images have been very helpful so please provide them if you have them. One thing that emerged recently was that many people have pieces of a bigger jigsaw but assumed that everyone including the police had the same pieces; they didn't. Please pass on any information you have to the police or, if you prefer, to your local councillors who will tell our area police team. As Conservative spokesman on the retail economy, I recently organised a meeting with the police for our retailers where these issues were discussed in detail.  My cllr colleague Ranjit Gill, Conservative spokesman on crime, is organising a public meeting, our fourth public meeting since 2018 on policing and crime in Chiswick, and will announce the date as soon as it has been agreed.As I expect you all know, Chiswick's most prolific shoplifter was arrested (on the day the police met traders, as mentioned above) and is in custody for 20 weeks. She shoplifted for money for drugs and she will automatically be offered support and treatment to overcome her drug addiction. The police are pursuing other aspects of the chain of which she was, sadly, a part.  Our area police sergeant provided an update to the Chiswick Area Forum on Tuesday which included the good news that all wards now have a full complement of police: two PCs and one PCSO per ward and, yes, everyone agrees that we need more police on the beat and generally. The recording of the area forum isn't yet on the council's YouTube channel but it should be added soon so if you would like to listen to the update, check for the recording here; the police spoke early on in the meeting: https://www.youtube.com/@LBHounslow/videosWe Conservative councillors recently asked Hounslow council to provide a law enforcement team, similar to the one in Hammersmith and Fulham which has been strongly praised by high street businesses there including because it provides a deterrent.  We will continue to press the council on this. https://www.lbhf.gov.uk/crime/law-enforcement-team Whether you report to the police online or via Crimestoppers, please emphasise that this is part of a current investigation and that residents have been asked to provide information:Report on line: https://www.met.police.uk/ro/report/ocr/af/how-to-report-a-crime/Crimestoppers: https://crimestoppers-uk.org

Joanna Biddolph ● 1099d

Well most Chiswick residents will get their drugs delivered on the little scooters that whizz past you. It’s not always pizza folks.Sadly the drug dealing you see on the streets is at the bottom end of the scale , neither the buyers nor sellers see ways out of their predicament. I’m so saddened for Rachel’s death and just glad that someone had the kindness name her.If you think it’s not your kids because they go to a ‘good’ school I’d suggest a massive reality check is needed.

Tessa Russell ● 1099d

mental health issues have increased since Covid to a new high so agree social care needs sorting.

Janice Evans ● 1099d

In reply to Jayne.

Janice Evans ● 1099d

Whilst a law enforcement team might be a desirable addition to the services provided by the council, what services would disappear in order to fund your idea?Isn’t law enforcement what the police do? Why should LBH residents pay twice?

Stewart Jones ● 1099d

Thanks for the update Councillor.Can the Chiswick Conservative speak with the Westminster Conservatives so that they reintroduce the billions of funds they took away from health, policing and prison services over the last 13 years please?

Francis Sheehan ● 1098d

Incredible isn’t it? How they choose to ignore the impact of Conservative policy on local services while demanding that local taxpayers fund their own private police force. How long before Commander Biddolph has them entirely focused on cycling misdemeanours?

Paul Campbell ● 1098d

My view would be: scrap HS2 completely, since everyone works from home now anyway, and spend it on police, social care, childcare etc.

Simon Pedley ● 1098d

Take the money from the roads budget and all the subsidies given to drivers before we take it from sustainable transport schemes. While Europe rapidly increases investment in trains our moribund government increases the financial and environmental burden of car dependency on the nation.

Paul Campbell ● 1098d

Well, that’s a view. It would be better if the Councillor concerned could share with her constituents how her party proposes to fund this additional law enforcement team?

Stewart Jones ● 1097d

In the interest of facts, not ideology...Spending on the health service has risen 73%, on the police service 32% and on the prison service 23% since FY2010-11 to today FY2022-23.Taking inflation over the period into account, government spending today is broadly similar to 2010-11. What has notieably changed is the demand for government-funded services, above all health as the population ages and the consequences of covid-19 for the NHS continue to reverberate.

Robin Knight ● 1097d

With spending on the NHS you do need to adjust for demography as well as inflation. It was entirely predictable that demand for NHS services would increase as the proportion of people over 80 increased. You also need to adjust for total population.On this basis on all the services you mention there have been significant reductions in spending in real terms per head of population.

Jeremy Parkinson ● 1096d

Whilst I agree that Hs2 should be scrapped, it is absolute rubbish to assert that everyone works from home!  It should be scrapped because it is a total waste of money and will achieve little benefit for the vast majority of citizens.  If it were the case that most people work from home, why do we need more and more unused cycle tracks. Get rid of them and save billions.

Steve Taylor ● 1095d

“ there have been significant reductions in spending in real terms per head of population.”Exactly how significant ?

Steve Taylor ● 1095d

“ People voted for drastic  austerity measures and now are surprised”The government had no option but to impose austerity measures after Liam Byrne left the treasury in such a financial mess after Labour mismanaged it for over a decade.

Steve Taylor ● 1095d

Duh There was a global problem and in started in the States.

Philippa Bond ● 1095d

Quite right, Philippa. Gordon Brown put together massive support for British banks and showed the world how to deal with a near-cataclysmic banking crisis. We should all be grateful to him. Liam Byrne's foolish joke sadly gave an opportunity for the Cameron administration to criticise  Treasury policy under Brown and Darling, and provided a pretext for the austerity which reduced the UK to the state it's in today.

Robert Fish ● 1095d

“ There was a global problem and in started in the States.”It wasn’t a global problem at all. It affected countries with mismanaged economies like the UK. It didn’t affect Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Singapore, Germany etc etc etc. The UK was particularly badly hit because the government was already overspending and wasting. The coalition had to pick up the pieces of the rotten core and poor old Vince Cable had a job he couldn’t handle. Fortunately George Osborne tried to get it all together and put the country on the right tracks again. A true hero.

Steve Taylor ● 1095d

Brown was a disaster.

Janice Evans ● 1095d

Only thing i remember about brown was as chancellor and his forecasts in his budgets. He missed his forecasts 5 years in a row."forecasts for revenue were wrong; his forecasts for the deficit were wrong; and his forecasts for borrowing were wrong"Best chancellor ever

Julian Pavey ● 1095d