Ealing Liberal Democrats Meet Local Police Boss
Councillors call for stronger neighbourhood policing
Left to right: Cllr Gary Malcolm, Supt. Sean Lynch, Cllr Connie Hersch, Cllr Matt Melllor
October 12, 2026
Ealing Liberal Democrat councillors Gary Malcolm, Connie Hersch and Matt Mellor have met with local police Superintendent Sean Lynch to discuss a wide range of crime and safety issues affecting communities across the borough. Superintendent Lynch, now one of London’s longest-serving neighbourhood policing superintendents, held what the councillors described as a “fruitful discussion”, with both sides agreeing to meet regularly in future.
The councillors raised several long-standing concerns in West Ealing, including drug use around the Lammas Park Sustainable Drainage System (SUDs), where the new cover over the drainage ditch appears to have created a discreet space for illegal activity. They also highlighted rough sleeping outside West Ealing Library and persistent anti-social behaviour in Melbourne Avenue, along with the growing number of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and the pressures they place on neighbourhood cohesion.
Attention then turned to Acton Park, Acton Vale and Southfield Rec, where residents have reported drug crime, violent incidents and anti-social behaviour. The councillors said they wanted to see a more visible police presence in these areas, both to deter offending and to ensure that officers are able to intervene decisively when necessary. They emphasised that Southfield Rec, in particular, would benefit from more active enforcement.
A significant part of the meeting focused on Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG). The councillors and police discussed domestic abuse reporting and the StreetSafe website
https://www.police.uk/pu/notices/streetsafe/street-safe/
which allows women and girls to flag locations where they feel unsafe, even if no crime has taken place. Ealing Liberal Democrats are taking part in a detailed joint review of VAWG with the police, aiming to improve local understanding and response.
In Southall, Superintendent Lynch outlined efforts to tackle a broad range of crime types, including the use of additional resources and new technologies such as drones, e-bike monitoring and facial recognition. The Liberal Democrats welcomed this approach, saying that innovation and targeted deployment could help address persistent issues in the area.
The councillors also encouraged residents to make full use of the Met Engage website, launched last year. The platform provides direct access to neighbourhood policing information, advice, and updates, including “Cuppa with a Copper” events held in local cafés. Ealing’s three call centres now generate heat maps of incidents, helping police identify patterns and respond more effectively. Residents can check crime information for their area here.
Councillor Connie Hersch, Shadow Spokesperson for Culture, Sport, Communities & Crime and Deputy Leader of the Liberal Democrats, said the party would continue working collaboratively with the police to ensure residents’ concerns are heard. She added: “Ealing Liberal Democrats are working collaboratively with the police to make sure residents' concerns are heard. Labour, who are now in control of all levels of governance — national, regional and local — have not managed to give crime and crime prevention in Ealing a priority, so people feel safe in all neighbourhoods.”
The councillors say they will continue pressing for stronger neighbourhood policing, better communication with residents, and a more proactive approach to tackling crime across the borough.
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