Sir Denis O'Connor Visits Thamesmead

Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Sir Denis O'Connor, CBE, QPM visited Thamesmead yesterday after receiving an invitation from Thamesmead's leading community development agency and registered charity, Trust Thamesmead.

The invitation was sent after the circulation of Sir Denis' Stop the Rot report, which revealed the scale of damage from anti-social behaviour to our way of life and what the police can do to improve their response.

Mick Hayes, Chief Executive of Trust Thamesmead said: “The Trust works constructively with young people in Thamesmead, mainly through Thamesmead Youth Voice and the local Safer Neighbourhood Teams in both Bexley and Greenwich Boroughs. A lot of our projects wouldn't get off the ground without their help, namely The Link Thamesmead, a brand new, world class youth facility that is currently under construction. Thamesmead Youth Voice (TYV) helped us secure £5m myplace funding for the project and we are working closely with them and the Safer Neighbourhood Teams."

Chief Inspector of Constabulary, Denis O'Connor, CBE, QPM, himself a one-time resident of Thamesmead (1976) said: “I have visited many places, many where the intentions are good but it's not working for local people and yet here I see Trust Thamesmead and the local Safer Neighbourhood Teams working not only together over the two boroughs but with young people and people of all ages and backgrounds.

"What I have seen here today is truly inspiring. It really has lifted my soul.”

Sir Denis' whistle stop tour was a visit of contrast, from the new, aspiring building work that is going on at The Link to the once aspirational Tavy Bridge.

Sir Denis went on to say: “There are three things you need to succeed in life; that is aspiration to do something because if you don't, nobody will. Influence-if you influence others you have a chance and the third is doing things and if you do, you will succeed.”