Keeping You Safe + Beat the Heat

You SafeKeeping

Hi, Claire. Why did you decide to become a police officer?

I was previously a teacher. At some point, I wanted a change – still in a role that I’d find rewarding. One day, I saw a recruitment ad for the Met Police. And here I am today, three years on, in Wembley Park!

What does your average day look like for you and the team?

We’re a team of one sergeant and six police constables. We work on shift patterns, seven days a week. It’s quite a varied role. One day on admin, another day outside, keeping an eye on the neighbourhood.

How do you keep Wembley Park safe?

Proactive patrols are key. Our uniforms alone can deter people from getting up to no good. We do plain clothes patrols too, so just because you don’t see the uniform doesn’t mean we are not around! Talking with residents, businesses and concierges also helps us build pictures of what is going on and what people’s concerns are. Under a special agreement with The Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime, Wembley Park funds six police constables and one sergeant to support the community and deter crime. In this interview, PC Claire King talks more about her role and relationship with the neighbourhood.

How do you work with Wembley Park’s estate protection officers?

Very closely. We are in their Control Room daily, discussing any identified concerns or reported issues. We review each situation together, working towards a positive outcome. We all stay in contact with a two-way radio, which allows us to act quickly when we’re needed.

In your view, how safe is Wembley Park as a neighbourhood?

It is certainly a clean, well-lit neighbourhood. There’s constantly people around, and the Wembley Park estate protection team are always on patrol, day and night. These combined forces help keep the area safe.

What are the most frequent issues you are currently experiencing?

Cannabis use, shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, and criminal damage to property are quite common. There’s been a recent increase in mobile phone thefts, too, which is an issue across the wider borough. Riders approach pedestrians and take phones straight out of their hands – it happens in seconds.

What advice would you give residents to keep safe?

Within a nice, relaxed atmosphere like Wembley Park, people can tend to let their guard down. I always recommend being aware of your surroundings and putting yourself in the perspective of those looking for targets. Think: “is my handbag properly closed, phone in my pocket? Am I holding it up or waving it around?.”

Beat the Heat

1 Keep yourself hydrated. There are several clean water drinking fountains in Union Park, and one by the entrance of Amazon Fresh, on Wembley Park Boulevard. Limit the consumption of alcohol, fizzy drinks, coffee, energy drinks, or other caffeinated beverages, as they dehydrate you.

2 Avoid direct sun and find shade, if possible. Make use of the benches dotted around Wembley Park, such as the orange seaters under the cherry trees in Market Square. Apply sunscreen regularly to avoid getting sunburnt.

3 Eat smaller meals and more regularly, particularly food with nutrients (not empty carbs) and higher water content (fruits and vegetables). There are plenty of options across Wembley Park for healthy snacks and light meals – for example at BOXPARK Wembley. Do you offer opportunities to meet your team?

Of course. This year, we have held one surgery so far, with others to come. We would love for residents to come along and meet us. Don’t be afraid, we are human!

What is the best procedure to contact your team?

If you see an offence happening right in front of you, or someone’s life is in danger, call 999. Non-emergency situations can be reported online or via 101. On Crimestoppers, users can report crime or suspicious circumstances anonymously if they prefer. I always encourage people to stay vigilant and alert, reporting any crimes to the police. Also, it may sound a little old fashioned, but do get to know your neighbours, because you never know when you might need them, or they might need you!

Wembley Park’s Health & Safety Team share seven tips to keep staying healthy when the thermometer goes up.

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5 Wear light, loose-fitting, airy, light-coloured clothing and a hat made of breathable material. Tight clothing traps heat.

Be able to recognise the symptoms of heatrelated illnesses and true heat emergencies, such as heat cramps, heat rash, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.

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7 Heat stress may affect older people more than others. Provide a helping hand for those over 65 years old, as they may be at increased risk of heat-related illnesses.

If you have babies or young children, keep a close eye, as they quickly lose body fluids through sweating. They need to drink regularly, wear light clothing, and be kept cool. Safety 11 —