Police Now officer helps drive a 2200% increase in arrests and is nominated in national awards

Alex said: “Operation Woodson is a partnership and community-led approach to tackling ASB, drug use and violence. It was born out of our desire as a neighbourhood policing team to drive long-lasting change, that looked at root problems instead of only dealing with issues reactively – principles and values that have been a core part of my Police Now training.”

Alex and his colleagues on the Burnt Oak Safer Neighbourhoods Team established a problem-solving group with community and policing partners, including teams across Barnet Council, social care and support charities, a local school, and a youth centre.

Together, they identified 115 offenders of ASB and drug crime – leading to a 2200% increase in arrests (March – September 2024) and over £200,000 worth of illegal items seized from stores.

They increased their use of Criminal Behaviour Orders and developed robust diversionary tactics to prevent individuals from falling into the cycle of crime, including pathways to rehabilitation services, housing support, and youth centre activities – 63% of those referred did not reoffend.

The operation led to a steep and sustained decline in ASB, with a 65% reduction in ASB recorded from September 2024 onwards – which has continued to remain low in 2025.  

Reports of street-level violence fell by 25%, incidents of ASB and violence involving betting shops decreased by 66%, and drug trafficking offences reduced by 60%, thanks to efforts to disrupt supply chains and arrest serious offenders (March – September 2024). 

Alex said: “The operation helped us improve public confidence in policing through better community engagement, visible policing, and prompt results. Police Now’s training encourages you to be evidence-led and always look at the bigger picture to drive change, which equipped me to play a leading role in delivering this work alongside my team so early in my career. It has been a huge team effort from us all. We know there is always more to be done to build safer communities, and we are looking at ways to ensure this work continues across the area.”

Alex studied history and politics at university and has a master’s degree in business management from the University of Manchester but decided to join policing when he saw Police Now’s programme – driven by his desire to make a positive impact in society.

He attended the Tilley Awards alongside his colleagues in September and presented his work at the New Met for London conference last week (29^th October) at the London Stone X Stadium in Hendon.