Southall locals claim people are ‘smoking crack in the street’ after drug service moves in

Southall Community Raises Concerns Over Crack Cocaine Use Amid RISE Relocation

Southall locals claim people are smoking - Residents of Southall, a district in West London, have reported a noticeable uptick in public drug activity, attributing it to the recent transfer of a drug recovery center to their neighborhood. The shift has sparked worries that the presence of the facility has encouraged more people to engage in visible drug use, particularly crack cocaine, which has become a focal point of community frustration.

Council Relocates RISE to Southall After West Ealing Complaints

Ealing Council moved the Recovery Intervention Service Ealing (RISE) from West Ealing to Southall in February 2024, citing dissatisfaction from the former location’s residents. These individuals had voiced complaints about the center’s operations, prompting the council to reassess its placement. Now, Southall locals claim the relocation has coincided with a dramatic rise in people openly preparing and consuming crack cocaine on the streets.

According to community members, the move has led to a "fourfold" increase in public drug use. This observation has been supported by video evidence reviewed by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), which has documented instances of individuals smoking crack and manufacturing drugs in plain sight. The footage has bolstered the residents’ concerns, highlighting the visible impact of the center’s new location.

Council Defends RISE’s Role in Addiction Recovery

Despite the community’s allegations, Ealing Council maintains that the RISE relocation is not responsible for the surge in drug activity. The council argues that the service is vital for providing community-based support, including assessments and short-term treatment programs. These initiatives aim to help individuals overcome dependencies on substances like heroin, cocaine, and alcohol, enabling them to reintegrate into society and improve their quality of life.

Cllr Paul Driscoll, the Cabinet Member for Healthy Equal Lives, stated that the decision to move RISE was driven by the need to meet legal obligations. He explained that councils are required to offer adequate drug and alcohol recovery services, and the relocation was part of an effort to ensure those resources are accessible to those in need. Driscoll also noted that RISE has been operating in Southall for over a decade, though it has previously been based in different areas of the borough.

Community Criticizes Lack of Consultation

During a meeting of the Full Council on June 30, Herpreet Nirwal, a Southall resident, challenged the council’s decision. He asked Cllr Driscoll, “What justification does the Cabinet Member offer for approving RISE’s relocation to Southall without consulting residents, especially when we’re seeing more drug use, aggressive begging, and intimidation in the area?” Nirwal’s concerns reflect a broader sentiment that the council failed to engage with local voices before making the move.

“Open drug taking is the biggest worry for me,” Nirwal said after the meeting. “There are people sitting on our road, smoking crack pipes, or making their own drugs. It’s just annoying. My mum now hesitates to walk in the mornings because she sees them in the park—rough-looking, intimidating, and it’s a real concern for her safety.”

Nirwal believes the presence of the center has drawn attention to the area, making it an attractive location for local dealers. “These drug dealers have noticed the facility,” he explained. “They’re positioning themselves nearby, knowing that vulnerable users will be drawn to it. The result is a steady stream of new people every day, and they’re using the center as a hub to target their customers.”

Expanded Policing and Surveillance Measures

In response to the community’s concerns, Cllr Driscoll outlined plans for increased police presence and targeted monitoring. He mentioned that tactical support groups from the Metropolitan Police have been deployed to the area, working alongside the council’s park guard service to ensure comprehensive coverage. “Proactive CCTV monitoring is now in place,” Driscoll added. “This will focus on suspicious behavior, alerting the police to any activity that raises alarms. Patrols will also collect intelligence to understand the scale and nature of the problem, as well as the individuals involved.”

While the council emphasizes these measures, some residents feel they are not enough. Nirwal criticized the response as superficial, calling it “waffle” and suggesting it does not address the root of the issue. “The council keeps talking about increased patrols, but the real problem is that people are now using the streets more openly,” he said. “It’s not just about making people feel safer—it’s about preventing the cycle of addiction from escalating.”

Broader Context of Local Issues

Southall’s situation is part of a wider pattern of challenges facing the area. Other recent stories have highlighted issues such as the closure of Chelsea’s historic swimming pool for a £1.3 million renovation, a London wedding venue at risk of losing its marriage license due to noise complaints and planning disputes, and even the personal journey of Fatboy Slim, who shared that achieving sobriety was one of the hardest things he’s ever done. These developments underscore the interconnected nature of local concerns, from public safety to community infrastructure.

The relocation of RISE has also drawn attention to the need for better integration between services. While the center provides essential support, residents argue that its placement has inadvertently created a magnet for drug-related activity. “We’re not saying RISE is bad,” Nirwal said. “But we’re concerned that moving it here has disrupted the balance in our community. The service is important, but it shouldn’t come at the cost of increased crime and intimidation.”

Cllr Driscoll acknowledged the residents’ perspective, stressing that the council is committed to addressing the issue. “We’re not making excuses,” he said. “The police and community services are working together to tackle the problem, and we’ll continue to evaluate our strategies as needed.” Yet, for many in Southall, the question remains whether these efforts will be sufficient to restore trust in the council’s decision-making process.

Residents Call for More Accountability

As the debate continues, residents are urging the council to take further action. They believe the move to Southall has created a new focal point for drug use, requiring more than just patrols to manage the situation. “We need to see real results,” Nirwal said. “If the center is going to be here, we want to know how it will help people instead of just making the streets feel more dangerous.”

The council’s response to the relocation has become a symbol of the broader tensions between public services and community needs. While RISE’s mission is to support those struggling with addiction, its new location has sparked a new wave of challenges. As the situation evolves, the residents of Southall will be watching closely to see if the center can fulfill its purpose without exacerbating the very issues it aims to address.