I am proud that Kingston is one of the safest boroughs in London. Continuing to make our neighbourhoods even safer for all our residents and visitors is a priority for Kingston Council—a key part of our plan to create a fairer, safer, greener borough.

We work with communities and our local police and fire brigade to stand against all forms of crime, abuse and discrimination, to build a prepared and resilient borough, while also helping children, families and individuals most in need through effective support and care.

Social care is a major focus of our work, with the majority of our budget on supporting the increasing needs of vulnerable children and adults, as well as accommodation for the growing number needing temporary housing. Currently at least 60p of every £1 in council tax is spent on these essential services.

We are working to find more efficient and effective ways to deliver these services, embracing innovation and embedding new technologies. Our Adult Social Care and Health Service is using technology for residents to be more independent, have choice and control and increase healthy life expectancy. Our tech-enabled Care Service allows access specialist equipment to help residents stay safe in their homes and provide the support to live prosperous and fulfilling lives.

Understanding more about perceptions of safety is another important element. We recently launched a survey to find out how safe people feel in our town centres and neighbourhoods. Please share your thoughts in the Community Safety Survey on the council’s “kingstonletstalk” website.

The survey builds on our work with communities. At the South West London Safer Streets conference last year we launched the ‘Women’s Night Safety’ Charter’ to feel safer when out in the evening and launched the #StepUpSWLondon campaign to encourage men and boys to stand against unacceptable behaviour towards women and girls.

Recently the Kingston and Richmond Youth Council has been working with local young people to produce a short podcast series exploring the challenges of being a young man and tackling misogyny. You can listen on “open.spotify.com”.

Our riverside location means river safety is also important. Last year we worked with Teddington RNLI lifeboat station and the River Safety Forum with the London Fire Brigade and the Metropolitan Police to install lifelines under Kingston Bridge. We also installed 12 new throwline boards along the Thames, replacing some of the older life rings, to help anyone who gets in trouble in the water.

We will continue to ensure everyone living and working in or visiting the borough feels safe, supported and welcome.