Havering Council has joined police to launch the next phase of the Clear Hold Build initiative that is helping to reduce crime and increase safety in Harold Hill.
Since its launch in December 2023, Clear Hold Build has seen more than 130 arrests for a wide range of offences by the police and working with the Council’s enforcement, community safety and regeneration services and other partners.
A meeting for residents, businesses, community groups and youth organisations including Youth Unity, was recently held at MyPlace, Harold Hill (on Saturday 28 February 2026) acknowledging the progress achieved in the Clear and Hold stages of the initiative and set out the long term ambitions of the Build phase.
The Clear and Hold phases over the last two years, has seen a reduction of over 50 per cent in crime, anti-social behaviour and other issues, that had been impacting negatively on the residents and businesses in Harold Hill.
Clear Hold Build, also known locally as Our Harold Hill is part of the nationally recognised Clear, Hold, Build (CHB) model, a partnership approach designed to tackle crime and empower communities. It works in three stages:
- Clear: Police and partners remove the most harmful offenders, disrupt criminal networks, and deal with immediate threats.
- Hold: Police and partners, including the Council, work closely with residents to maintain safety, support vulnerable people, and stabilise the area.
- Build: The community, council teams including enforcement, community safety and regeneration and police work together on long term improvements, investment, youth opportunities, and local pride.
Harold Hill is one of the first areas in London to move through all three phases in full partnership.
The project also involves providing sports and other activities for children and young people.
Two years of joint working have resulted in significant reductions across key crime areas.
Comparing the last 12 months with the 2023 pre launch period, Harold Hill has seen:
- 935 fewer victim based crimes (down 28.3 percent)
- 111 fewer violence with injury offences (down 27.6 percent)
- 98 fewer burglaries (down 56.3 percent)
- 349 fewer vehicle crimes (down 57.1 percent)
- 110 fewer shoplifting offences (down 41.2 percent)
Councillor Ray Morgon, Leader of Havering Council, said:
"There have been great achievements so far by everyone working together under the Clear Hold Build initiative, but we all know there is more work to do.
“We hope it sends out a message to those looking to cause anti-social behaviour or carry it out in the community, that it won’t be tolerated.
“There has been action taken against those who have committed offences and both ourselves and the Police won’t hesitate to continue taking action.
“We also hope that residents and local businesses feel reassured that they are being listened to but also feel confident to report anti-social behaviour and concerns over crime.
“Together with the Police and all our partners, the aim is to help provide a safer and happier community for all.”
Acting Chief Inspector, for Havering Police Safer Neighbourhoods and Tactial Lead for Clear Hold Build in Havering, Charlie Routley, said:
"I’m incredibly proud of the progress we’ve made since launching the Clear phase in December 2023 and of what we’ve achieved together as part of the ‘Our Harold Hill Clear Hold Build’ programme.
“By prioritising focused neighbourhood policing throughout the Clear and Hold phases, we’ve made significant arrests, disrupted criminal activity. Plus, most importantly, seen a substantial reduction in the number of victims of crime.
“This has only been possible through strong partnership working and the continued support of local residents.
“But our work doesn’t stop here. As we now move into the Build phase, our focus shifts to long term prevention.
"Tackling the underlying causes of offending, strengthening community resilience, and working alongside partners and residents to secure lasting improvements.
“Together, we will continue to transform Harold Hill into a safer, stronger place to live and work."