Law enforcement team A to Z

Abandoned vehicle

The Law Enforcement Team works closely with parking services to identify and resolve issues relating to abandoned vehicles promptly and effectively.

Please see how to report an abandoned vehicle, and how to contact parking services.

Accidents or incidents

The Law Enforcement Team provides support to all the emergency services at major accidents and incidents across the borough. We assist with maintaining cordons, directing traffic and provide practical support to any affected residents and businesses.

In an emergency, always dial 999. Please visit out of hours emergency contact information.

Anti-social behaviour is defined as 'behaviour by a person which causes, or is likely to cause, harassment, alarm or distress to persons not of the same household as the person' (Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003 and Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011).

The Law Enforcement Team works proactively with Police Safer Neighborhoods Teams (SNTs). ASB patrols, whether undertaken in the daytime or night-time, are done in accordance with service needs and council parameters.

We also work closely with other council departments including the CCTV team (another 24/7 service), housing officers, licensing and the dedicated ASB team.

To report ASB see reporting anti-social behaviour.

In an emergency, always dial 999. You can also report a crime by calling 101. For further information, please visit the Metropolitan Police website.

ASB – drinking and alcohol

Law Enforcement Team officers are CSAS accredited. CSAS stands for Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (GOV.UK). This allows us to deal with problems such as street drinking.

The borough of Hammersmith & Fulham is also a controlled drinking area. LET officers can ask anyone causing anti-social behaviour to surrender alcohol and or stop drinking alcohol. Please see Public Safety Protection Orders for further information.

Our LET officers are also trained to signpost vulnerable persons towards help and support in relation to alcohol or substance abuse.

ASB – drugs

Drug dealing is a criminal offence and the remit of the Metropolitan Police. However, Law Enforcement Team officers will patrol the areas where drug dealing is suspected to provide a deterrent.

In addition, Law Enforcement Team officers can compile evidence on their body cameras and share the images with the local police team to take further action.

Officers are also trained to signpost vulnerable persons towards help and support in relation to alcohol or substance abuse.

Begging

Law Enforcement Team officers are CSAS accredited. CSAS stands for Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (GOV.UK) . This enables us to deal with problems such as begging.

We work closely with other council departments and charities to support vulnerable persons in relation to housing and employment.

Busking

Law Enforcement Team officers are authorised to enforce Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) to deal with issues such as busking.

For more information see Public Safety Protection Orders.

Car idling

Law Enforcement Team officers will always engage with drivers of idling vehicles; however, this legislation is enforced by our parking services.

Idling (leaving your vehicle engine running while stationary) creates air pollution and is usually unnecessary. It is also an offence in law under the Section 42 of the Road Traffic Act 1988.

Hammersmith & Fulham Council is one of 31 London Local Authorities to have joined forced to tackle engine idling as part of Idling Action London project, supported by the Mayor of London. For more information about the project visit the Idling Action London website.

As part of the project, Hammersmith & Fulham Council is offering its primary schools free opportunities to take part air pollution anti-idling workshops and is offering free resources and toolkits to businesses and community groups wanted to help tackle this avoidable source of air pollution.

What can you do to help tackle engine idling? If you are a business, school, or community group you can sign up to the Engines Off pledge. Visit the Idling Action London website for more information.

For further information or to report stationary idling please see Idling vehicles.

Law Enforcement Team officers remain ready to assist with Covid related duties such as:

assisting with security and crowd management at vaccination centres
assist the running of Covid test centres
assisting vulnerable persons during lockdowns
enforcing social distancing measures.

CSAS powers

CSAS stands for Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (GOV.UK).

By gaining CSAS accreditation we:

increase uniformed presence on the streets - CSAS accredited persons wear the uniform of their employing organisation, with an identification badge endorsed by the local police force
are able to address issues such as street drinking, begging and dog fouling
promote enhanced enforcement opportunities with the police
improve the two-way exchange of information and intelligence between agencies.

Cuckooing

Cuckooing is a form of crime, termed by the police, in which drug dealers take over the home of a vulnerable person to use it as a base for county lines drug trafficking. The crime is named for the cuckoo's practice of taking over other birds' nests for its young.

Law Enforcement Team officers are trained to recognise signs of cuckooing and work closely with partners such as the Metropolitan Police, the ASB team and Housing officers to help affected residents.

Report any cuckooing concerns here: Hammersmith and Fulham Community MARAC Referral Form.

According to the Environmental Act 1990 (Consent to the Distribution of Free Literature), you need consent to distribute free printed materials within Hammersmith & Fulham's eight approved distribution zones, or within 50m of a tube station entrance or within a 200m radius of the approved distribution zones.

This does not include religious, political, or charitable literature, nor does it include free literature which is posted through the letter boxes of households or businesses.

You only need permission if you're handing out free literature. You do not need permission if you're conducting a survey or other market research.

Persons with consent within the zones will be required to display an approved ID badge.

Please see Consent to the Distribution of Free Literature for more information, and to apply for consent.

Dog fouling

Dog mess is not only anti-social and unhygienic, it's also a crime, so let's keep it off our streets.

If you see dog mess, please report it, and we'll come and deal with it. We can't be everywhere, all the time, so we're very grateful for your help.

Report it online or use the H&F Report It app or email let.hf@lbhf.gov.uk

For more information on dog fouling read the Fouling of Land by Dogs Order 2006 (PDF). See 'animals' for more information about dog control orders, dangerous dogs and animal welfare.

Dog issues (lost and stray dogs)

In Hammersmith & Fulham, lost and stray dogs can be reported for collection 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Please visit the animal welfare section of our website for more information.

Emergency services

We provide support to the emergency services at major accidents and incidents across the borough. We assist with maintaining cordons, directing traffic and provide practical support to affected residents and businesses.

In an emergency, always dial 999. Please see out of hours emergency contact information.

Engagements

The Law Enforcement Team have a supportive presence in the community and engage with residents to address their concerns.

The ward officers are expected to know their key residents, resident groups, and businesses. As ambassadors for the council, community engagement is a key part of the role and priority alongside all other aspects of business.

To meet your dedicated Law Enforcement ward officer please visit our webpage at Law Enforcement Team or email let.hf@lbhf.gov.uk

Event work

The Law Enforcement Team conducts high-visibility patrols and marshalling duties at events across the borough to help keep everyone safe and secure.

Officers are trained in counter-terrorism awareness, enforce against offences such as littering and urinating in public, and work alongside Trading Standards to deal with Illegal Street Trading.

Events the LET participate in include:

community events
Boat Race
football matches
Notting Hill Carnival
Remembrance Day.

Fly posting

The Law Enforcement Team investigates illegal fly posting and takes enforcement action where appropriate. Officers will also arrange the removal of such posters.

To report fly posting, please see report it.

Fly tip

Fly-tipping is the illegal dumping of waste or rubbish. Fly-tipping is a serious criminal offence which carries an unlimited fine and/or imprisonment. Fly-tipping is often associated with dumping waste from vehicles.

To report fly-tipping, please see report it.

Law Enforcement Officers are authorised to issue Fixed Penalty Notices for incidents of fly-tipping.

Graffiti

To report graffiti, including racist or abusive graffiti, please see grafitti.

Hate crime

Hate crime has no place in Hammersmith & Fulham, and we take any incidents of hate crime extremely seriously. Officers are trained to refer victims of hate crime to the appropriate services.

For more information, see hate crime.

High visibility reassurance patrols

H&F's Law Enforcement Team carries out borough-wide patrols including highways, parks & open spaces and on housing land.

Law Enforcement officers have powers within the parks to enforce byelaws and a duty to help keep the parks safe and welcoming places for everyone to enjoy.

Law Enforcement officers work closely with the Metropolitan Police to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour problems across the borough and in all H&F parks and open spaces.

Our duties in include:

high visibility uniform patrolling on foot and vehicle
enforcing byelaws and public space protection orders
the prevention and detection of crime
dealing with anti-social behaviour
working with residents and stakeholders to problem-solve local issues quickly and effectively
security at events such as the Boat Race, Notting Hill Carnival, Remembrance Day ceremonies, council laser shows
locking major parks in the evening.

For current enquiries, residents can email us at let.hf@lbhf.gov.uk

Highways

The Law Enforcement Team reports any highways defects identified as part of their patrols. Where an offence can be identified they will take enforcement action where appropriate.

You can report highways issues here.

Illegal encampment or incursion

Councils and the police have been given strong powers to deal with unauthorised encampments.

When deciding whether to take action, we consider:

the harm that such developments can cause to local amenities and the local environment
the potential interference with the peaceful enjoyment of neighbouring property
the need to maintain public order and safety and protect health – for example, by deterring fly-tipping and criminal damage
any harm to good community relations
that the state may enforce laws to control the use of an individual's property where that is in accordance with the general public interest.

Whilst there is a clear leadership role for local authorities in tackling illegal and unauthorised encampments, we work collaboratively with other agencies, such as the police or the Highways Agency, depending on where the most appropriate powers sit.

To report an illegal encampment please email let.hf@lbhf.gov.uk

Licensing

As the eyes and ears of the council, the Law Enforcement Team feedbacks any issues relating to licensed premises to the licensing department.

Please see licensing for more information.

Litter

Litter is any rubbish that has been dropped and left in a public open space. This can include paper, cans, bottles, fast food wrappers and cigarette butts.

Litter is a major problem across the country. Keeping our streets clean of litter costs local authorities millions of pounds every year. This money could be better spent on other services.

Dropping or depositing litter is an offence under the Environmental Protection Act 1990 and offenders can be served with a Fixed Penalty Notice (FPN) or face prosecution and a maximum fine of £2,500 on conviction.

Locking duties (parks)

The Law Enforcement Team is responsible for locking certain parks and open spaces in the evening. The responsibility for unlocking parks in the morning currently sits with the parks and housing departments.

Markets

The Law Enforcement Team assists with enforcement at markets across the borough. For more information see markets.

Missing or vulnerable persons

The Law Enforcement Team works closely alongside the Metropolitan Police. Law Enforcement officers are briefed on any missing or vulnerable persons to be aware of whilst conducting their patrols across the borough. Please call or text 116 000.

Noise complaints

Hammersmith & Fulham Council has a dedicated noise and nuisance team, and all reports should be logged with this team first. For more information see reporting noise and nuisance.

The Law Enforcement Team are responsible for tackling noise and nuisance in public open spaces. Please email let.hf@lbhf.gov.uk

Operations

The Law Enforcement Team conducts ward-based operations every two weeks. We do this in collaboration with a range of partners to crack down on crime and anti-social behaviour in the target area.

Smaller targeted operations are undertaken by area teams to address localised issues such as drug use, nuisance or ASB.

To find out more about previous operations please visit our crime news section.

Parks and cemeteries

Law Enforcement officers carry out borough-wide patrols including parks and housing estates.

We have powers within the parks to enforce byelaws and a duty to help keep the parks safe and welcoming places for everyone to enjoy.

We work closely with the Metropolitan Police to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in all H&F parks and open spaces.

Our duties in parks include:

high visibility uniform patrolling on foot and vehicle
enforcing byelaws and public space protection orders
the prevention and detection of crime
dealing with anti-social behaviour
working with residents and stakeholders to problem-solve local issues quickly and effectively
security at events such as the Boat Race, Notting Hill Carnival, Remembrance Day ceremonies, council laser shows
locking major parks in the evening.

For current enquiries, residents can email us at let.hf@lbhf.gov.uk

Pest control or vermin

The LET investigate reports related to pests attracted by an accumulation of waste, litter or overgrown vegetation.

If your report relates to an infestation or pests attracted to a fly-tip on a highway, the report will be forwarded to our waste management team so that an urgent clean-up of the fly-tip can take place. A response can be expected within 24-72 hours which should remove the source of the activity.

If your report relates to a sighting of a single pest in the street, then the council may elect not to inspect. If a further sighting occurs, please supply the location, including details such as accumulation of waste, damaged footpaths, highways, or drains, to enable the report to be allocated correctly.

Visit pest control for more information.

Police/Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT)

Law Enforcement Team officers are not police officers but work closely with the Met Police. LET officers are the council's eyes and ears and patrol anti-social behaviour and crime hotspots, enabling the team to deter crime and nuisance.

Once an offence is witnessed, officers collate information/evidence and share this with police colleagues. LET officers cannot detain offenders but work closely with our CCTV unit to monitor incidents and alert the police if they witness any criminal or anti-social activity.

Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs)

Law Enforcement Team officers are authorized to enforce PSPOs (Public Space Protection Orders).

Find out more about PSPOs in Hammersmith & Fulham.

Rough sleepers

Law Enforcement Team officers are CSAS accredited. CSAS stands for Community Safety Accreditation Scheme (GOV.UK). This enables us to deal with problems such as rough sleeping.

We work closely with other council departments and charities to support vulnerable persons in relation to housing and employment. Officers are also trained to signpost vulnerable persons towards help and support.

If you are concerned about someone under the age of 18 you have seen sleeping rough please call the Met police on 101.

If you believe the person is over the age of 18, please email let.hf@lbhf.gov.uk, you can also report through the Street Link website.

Sex work

Our Law Enforcement Team officers are trained to refer vulnerable persons to the appropriate charities and services for help. The safety of our residents is paramount.

For information on the council's strategy to combat Violence Against Women and Girls, please visit our VAWG webpage.

Or report anti-social behaviour here.

Site visits or meetings

The Law Enforcement Team is available to attend site visits and meetings so that any issues can be raised directly with the dedicated LET ward officers. The officers will be able to answer any questions and provide updates on any ongoing issues.

To request the LET to conduct a site visit or attend a meeting, please email let.hf@lbhf.gov.uk or email your ward officer directly. You can find your dedicated ward contact details by visiting our Law Enforcement Team webpage.

Street trading

The Law Enforcement Team can assist with street trading where this is causing an obstruction to the highway. We also work closely with Trading Standards in relation to illegal street trading.

For more information see trading standards.

Surgeries

The Law Enforcement Team are running surgeries in our libraries. Residents can raise problems or seek advice, particularly about antisocial behaviour, street cleansing or any other local issues. For further information see Law Enforcement Team surgeries.

Urination and defecation

Law Enforcement Team officers are authorised to issue a Fixed Penalty Notice to anyone found urinating in public.

These are public offences contrary to the Anti-Social Behaviour Crime and Policing Act 2014.

VAWG (Violence Against Women and Girls)

The United Nations (UN) define the term Violence Against Women and Girls as "Any act of gender-based violence that results in or is likely to result in physical, sexual or psychological harm or suffering to women [or girls], including threats of such acts, coercion or arbitrary deprivation of liberty." (1993, Article 1, United Nations Declaration on Elimination of Violence against Women).

We take a coordinated community response (CCR) to ending Violence against Women and Girls and ask everyone to take responsibility. The CCR requires us not only to respond appropriately within our own agencies, but also to work together with other organisations.

For more information, see Violence against women and girls.

Waste (commercial)

The Law Enforcement Team works closely with our colleagues in waste management to monitor responsible commercial waste disposal.

For further information relating to commercial waste, see commercial waste.

Waste (domestic)

Clean and tidy streets are very important in making H&F a pleasant place to live in and work in, and to visit.

You must place your waste out for collection on the correct day between 9pm the night before and 6am on the day of collection. Putting your rubbish out at any other time is fly tipping and you could receive a fine from the Law Enforcement Team.

To check your collection times, see waste and recycling.

Waste (front gardens)

H&F Council have no jurisdiction to clear waste on private land and as such this is the responsibility of the owner or occupier. Such wastes are visible from the roadside, unsightly and may attract vermin which is deemed detrimental to the amenity of the area. The Law Enforcement Team can request that the owner or occupier clears such waste.

If the problem persists, we can use our powers under the Environmental Protection Act and or Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 which may result in a fixed penalty notice, remedial costs and/or prosecution.

Weapon sweeps

Weapons sweeps are routine or targeted searches of areas like parks or housing ground, during which our officers search for any items that could be used to cause harm. This includes weapons like knives and guns but also makeshift weapons such as screwdrivers and metal poles.

Officers will look under bushes, shrubbery, or playground play equipment, using safety equipment to remove any weapons they come across safely.

The items are placed in knife tubes and taken to the nearest police station to be logged, checked, and destroyed.

Welfare checks

The Law Enforcement Team conducts welfare checks on vulnerable groups within the borough as part of their duties.

We work alongside charities to conduct regular welfare checks on our rough sleeper population. We also work alongside Careline to conduct welfare checks on our more elderly residents.

For more information, see Careline.