Anti-social Behaviour Team
Anti-social Behaviour Team

Westminster’s Labour-led Council has taken further action to tackle the anti-social behaviour that can blight the lives of our local residents.

The Council has confirmed that it will be doubling the size of the Short-term Lets Enforcement Team Labour inherited from the previous Conservative administration, with a further two dedicated officers in addition to extra support from across the Council to tackle illegal and poorly managed short-term lets.

It is also expanding the number of Noise Investigations Officers in the Council’s Noise Team with a further two members of staff to resolve noise complaints across the City.

These investments are part of a series of initiatives this spring designed to do even more to tackle anti-social behaviour and crime wherever it is found in Westminster. It follows the earlier announcement of the new six member Street-Based Intervention team designed to tackle abusive behaviour and drug dealing preying on the vulnerable street population in hotspot areas, starting in Victoria.

At January’s Full Council Labour Council Leader Cllr Adam Hug saidIllegal and poorly managed short-term lets can make Westminster residents miserable with anti-social behaviour and noise issues. Which is why we got to grips with the Short-term Lets Enforcement Team we inherited, to crack down on illegal nightly lettings and resolve cases faster.

“The Short-term Lets Enforcement Team works with our Empty Homes Officer, City Inspectors and Environmental Health teams to take a whole Council approach to enforcement. And I’m delighted to announce that we are now doubling the size of the Short-term Lets Enforcement Team we inherited, while the Government makes long-overdue progress on regulating the sector that should come to fruition in the months to come.”

Westminster has the highest number of short term lets in the country – around 13,000 – and the number has continued to climb since the end of the pandemic. Council officials warn entire residential blocks are now effectively virtual hotels with most of the rooms for rent on popular short term stay platforms. One residential block in Westminster rented more rooms than the Ritz on a nightly basis.

The Council is currently investigating over 2600 properties allegedly being used unlawfully for short let purposes. One headache for residents is the fact that rowdy parties create disturbance and frequently leave a mess which the Council taxpayer of Westminster then has to subsidise.

Cllr Hug told the Full Council meeting that there would be more resource for the Council’s noise team, which investigates and takes action on loud music, parties and other events which disrupt life for local people. He said:

“Our reformed Noise Team has dramatically improved its ability to investigate and resolve issues, which is why I’m delighted to announce that our upcoming budget will fund a 20 per cent expansion in the Noise Team to help more people have a good night’s sleep.”

 “Anti-social behaviour isn’t just about enforcement. It’s about creating a society where vulnerable people aren’t left to fall through the cracks, and where communities have the tools and resources they need to thrive. This administration will continue to work with commitment and creativity to address the curse of anti-social behaviour across our city.”

 

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