Following a violent attack on a teenager in Romford, local councillors demand swift use of unallocated council funds to repair and expand CCTV coverage amid rising violent crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough.
Following a recent attack on a 15-year-old girl in Romford, calls have intensified for urgent action to improve street safety across Havering. The incident, which involved a rape in St Edwards Way, has heightened fears among local residents, particularly women and mothers who express growing concern about their safety while walking through certain areas, such as subways, at night. Despite the Metropolitan Police's ongoing investigation, no arrests have been made so far.
Conservative councillor David Taylor, who represents the affected St Edwards ward, has urged the council to deploy unspent funds toward enhancing security measures, particularly by expanding operational CCTV coverage. Taylor emphasized that funds for such improvements exist but have yet to be fully utilised. Drawing on a recent Freedom of Information request, he pointed out that around a third of the borough’s CCTV cameras are not functioning, with 23 of 72 cameras broken. He also believes that money accumulated from the community infrastructure levy (CIL), which the council collects from developers for local projects, could be channelled into upgrading the borough's surveillance systems. Latest data shows millions of pounds from this levy remain unallocated, although council officials indicate some portion has already been invested.
In response, Havering Council leader Ray Morgon stressed the authority's commitment to public safety and highlighted ongoing projects with the Metropolitan Police, including council-funded officers specifically tasked with community safety. Morgon outlined a £3 million investment currently being made to upgrade the CCTV network, including a new control room near Romford's Town Hall, with an aim for all cameras to be fully operational soon. He noted that £750,000 of CIL funds have been dedicated to this CCTV upgrade, which forms part of the broader ‘Where We Live’ campaign designed to foster community pride and security. While Morgon supported further initiatives such as police-community summits, he also cautioned that these require careful balancing of resources and staff priorities.
Statistics underline rising concerns about safety in Romford’s town centre. Reported violent and sexual offences increased to 81 in April, up from 74 the previous year and 70 in 2023. Anti-social behaviour offences have nearly doubled over two years, reaching 64 in April 2025 compared to only 28 in 2023. These troubling trends amplify the urgency cited by local representatives.
This broader context includes ongoing debates about park safety and after-hours security. Cllr Taylor recently launched a petition advocating for locked gates at parks after dark and CCTV installations at park entrances to curb anti-social behaviour. The concerns echo those raised by Andrew Rosindell, the local MP, who criticised the council’s past cost-cutting measures, arguing they have contributed to a spike in serious crimes. Rosindell has repeatedly called for improved policing resources in Havering and a more equitable funding settlement to reflect the borough's demographic challenges, which include both significant elderly and young populations.
Community safety initiatives continue beyond surveillance enhancements. Collaborations between the council’s CCTV team and police have led to successful interventions, including the seizure of dangerous weapons and enforcement actions against environmental crimes like fly-tipping. The council has also introduced schemes such as 'Ask Angela' to support residents feeling vulnerable in social venues.
Amid these efforts, Havering Council has sought residents' input through surveys to identify priority crime issues and tailor prevention strategies accordingly. The local community’s anxiety has been compounded by recent knife attacks and violent incidents, reinforcing the pressing demand for tangible improvements in public safety measures.
The current situation clearly highlights a critical juncture for Havering, balancing investments in technology, personnel, and community engagement to restore a sense of security in Romford and beyond. The effectiveness of these combined efforts will be closely watched as residents seek reassurance that they can walk their streets and use public spaces without fear.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative appears to be original, with no exact matches found in recent publications. The earliest known publication date of similar content is 14 February 2025, when Councillor David Taylor launched a petition for safer parks and CCTV installations in Romford. ([thehaveringdaily.co.uk](https://thehaveringdaily.co.uk/2025/02/14/romford-councillor-launches-petition-for-safer-parks-and-closing-gates/?utm_source=openai)) This earlier content focuses on park safety, whereas the current narrative addresses street safety following a recent attack. The report includes updated data on crime statistics and council initiatives, suggesting a higher freshness score. However, the absence of identical matches in recent publications raises questions about the originality of the content. The report is based on a press release from Councillor David Taylor's official website, which typically warrants a high freshness score. ([davidtaylor.online](https://www.davidtaylor.online/post/havering-s-secret-millions-the-proof?utm_source=openai)) No significant discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were identified. The narrative does not appear to be recycled or republished across low-quality sites or clickbait networks. The lack of coverage in other reputable outlets may indicate limited dissemination. The report includes updated data but recycles older material, which may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. ([havering.gov.uk](https://www.havering.gov.uk/news/article/1522/where-we-live-cctv-%E2%80%93-the-eyes-of-the-borough?utm_source=openai))
Quotes check
Score:
9
Notes:
The direct quotes attributed to Councillor David Taylor and Council Leader Ray Morgon are consistent with their known public statements. No earlier usage of these exact quotes was found, suggesting they are original or exclusive to this report. The wording of the quotes matches their previous public statements, with no significant variations identified.
Source reliability
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative originates from Councillor David Taylor's official website, which is a direct source but may lack independent verification. The report is also published on The Havering Daily, a local news outlet. While The Havering Daily provides community-focused news, its credibility may vary compared to larger, established media organisations. The reliance on a press release from a single source without independent corroboration may affect the overall reliability.
Plausability check
Score:
8
Notes:
The claims regarding the recent attack on a 15-year-old girl in Romford and the subsequent calls for enhanced CCTV funding are plausible and align with known concerns about public safety in the area. The statistics on rising crime rates in Romford's town centre are consistent with previous reports. The narrative includes specific factual anchors, such as names, institutions, and dates, enhancing its credibility. The language and tone are consistent with regional reporting and official statements. The structure of the report is focused on the main issue without excessive or off-topic detail. The tone is serious and appropriate for the subject matter, without being unusually dramatic or vague.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents plausible and timely information regarding a recent attack in Romford and subsequent calls for enhanced CCTV funding. While the content appears original and includes specific factual details, it relies heavily on a press release from Councillor David Taylor's official website and is published on The Havering Daily, a local news outlet. The lack of independent verification and limited coverage in other reputable outlets raises concerns about the overall reliability and potential for disinformation. Further corroboration from additional sources is recommended to fully assess the credibility of the report.
