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Clear Hold Build Harold Hill

by LONDON BOROUGH HAVERINGMetropolitan PoliceNews & Updates

Clear Hold Build – Building a Safer Future for Harold Hill

Being part of the Clear Hold Build programme in Harold Hill has easily been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career. Youth Unity is incredibly proud to be part of this partnership alongside the Metropolitan Police, Havering Council, and a wide range of local partners and community organisations who are all committed to creating lasting change in the area.

Over the past two years, partners have worked closely with residents and the wider community to tackle persistent crime and antisocial behaviour while building stronger relationships and opportunities for local people. This work has demonstrated that no single organisation can deliver change at this scale alone. It is only through collaboration, trust, and shared commitment that real progress can happen.

The results of this partnership approach are already clear. Comparing the last 12 months with the 2023 pre-launch period, Harold Hill has seen significant reductions across key crime categories:

  • 935 fewer victim-based crimes – a reduction of 28.3%

  • 111 fewer violence with injury offences – down 27.6%

  • 98 fewer burglaries – down 56.3%

  • 349 fewer vehicle crimes – down 57.1%

  • 110 fewer shoplifting offences – down 41.2%

Alongside these reductions, partners have taken decisive action to tackle organised crime and improve safety in the community. Over the past two years there have been more than 130 arrests for a wide range of offences, and over 30 warrants executed, leading to the seizure of more than £2 million worth of drugs, the shutdown of several county lines operations, and the removal of numerous weapons from the streets of Havering.

These outcomes highlight the power of intelligence-led policing combined with strong partnership working and community engagement. Clear Hold Build is not just about enforcement; it is about restoring community confidence, strengthening neighbourhood pride, and creating the conditions where young people and families can thrive.

For Youth Unity, this work is particularly important. Through our youth engagement, mentoring, and outreach programmes, we help ensure that young people in the area have positive opportunities, trusted adults, and safe spaces that steer them away from crime and antisocial behaviour.

Last weekend, partners and residents came together to mark the launch of the Build phase of the programme – the next step in the journey of “Our Harold Hill – Clear Hold Build.” This stage focuses on strengthening the community, supporting prevention, and ensuring that the progress made so far leads to long-term, sustainable change for Harold Hill.

The event was a powerful reminder that when organisations, residents, and young people work together, it is possible to create safer, stronger communities.

Youth Unity is proud to stand alongside our partners and the Harold Hill community as we continue this journey.

 
 
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Hildene Clear Hold

by LONDON BOROUGH HAVERINGMetropolitan PoliceOutreach

Youth Unity is proud to be delivering weekly Youth Sessions in Hilldene, creating a safe, welcoming space for young people to spend time positively, build relationships, and connect with trusted adults in their community.

Taking place every Thursday at 3pm on Farnham Road, Hilldene, our mobile youth van offers a relaxed drop-in environment where young people can take part in activities including gaming consoles, table tennis, basketball, music, and shared social space — with hot drinks available and a friendly team always on hand.

But these sessions are about far more than activities.

A Safe Space with Trusted Adults

Our youth workers are experienced, approachable, and focused on building trust. This means young people have adults they can speak to openly, whether they need advice, reassurance, or simply someone to listen.

Conversations often develop around real issues affecting young people, including school, friendships, wellbeing, safety, and future aspirations. By meeting young people where they already are, we remove barriers to engagement and create opportunities for early support before challenges escalate.

Listening to Young People and Shaping Support

Being consistently present in the same location allows us to build meaningful relationships and better understand what young people in Hilldene want and need. Their voices help shape future activities, projects, and support pathways, ensuring services are relevant and genuinely youth-led.

This approach also helps identify young people who may benefit from mentoring, specialist programmes, or referrals to other services — allowing support to be timely and appropriate.

Strengthening the Wider Community

These sessions are not only for young people. We regularly speak with parents, carers, and local residents who stop by to ask questions, share concerns, or simply say hello. Building positive relationships between young people and the wider community is a key part of creating safer neighbourhoods and reducing tensions.

We welcome local involvement and believe that when young people feel valued and supported by their community, it leads to better outcomes for everyone.

Working in Partnership

These sessions are supported by the Metropolitan Police, as part of a wider commitment to prevention, engagement, and community safety. By working in partnership with statutory services and local organisations, we are able to provide visible, positive youth engagement while also linking young people into wider support when needed.

Looking Ahead

Our goal is to use these sessions as a gateway to longer-term opportunities — including mentoring, creative projects, sports, and skills development — helping young people build confidence, resilience, and positive aspirations.

If you see the big black van on Farnham Road on a Thursday afternoon, please come and say hello. We are always happy to talk, listen, and work together to support local young people.

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Harold Hill

by London Borough of HaveringMetropolitan PoliceNew ProjectsOutreach

🌞 Harold Hill Summer Program: Free Activities for Young People This Summer!

We’re excited to announce our Harold Hill Summer Program, a series of free weekly sessions for young people aged 12 to 18. These sessions are designed to provide a safe, fun, and supportive environment during the school holidays—using the power of sport, gaming, music, and arts to inspire positive change.

📍 Locations & Times

  • Mondays – Central Park (Next to the basketball courts), 2:00pm – 4:30pm

  • Fridays – Hilldene Shops (Farnham Road), 4:00pm – 6:30pm

Backed by the Metropolitan Police and delivered by Youth Unity CIC, these sessions are more than just fun and games. They’re built around a proven approach to engagement, mentoring, and youth development, with trained youth workers and a mobile outreach unit on site.

What’s on offer?

  • 🏀 Sports & fitness activities

  • 🎮 Gaming and competitions

  • 🎨 Creative arts and music

  • 🎤 Informal mentoring and conversations

  • 🚐 Access to our fully equipped Mobile Youth Hub

We’ve designed this program with inclusion in mind—whether you’re into sports, creative arts, or just need a safe space to hang out, there’s something for everyone.

Why Harold Hill?
Harold Hill continues to be a key area of focus in our community work, and thanks to our strong local partnerships and support from the Havering Metropolitan Police, we’ve been able to expand our reach with this exciting summer provision. We’re proud to be a trusted grassroots organisation working directly with young people, families, and local services to build a safer and more positive environment as part of the “Our Harold Hill” Clear Hold Build initiative.

Let’s make this summer one to remember 🌟

Commencing: 28th July 2025

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Safer Neighbourhood Havering Summer

by London Borough of HaveringMetropolitan PoliceNew ProjectsOutreach

We’re excited to announce that Youth Unity has been awarded funding to deliver a 14-week Detached Outreach Programme in Romford, launching on 4th July.

This project marks a return to the heart of the borough, where we’ll be delivering targeted mobile youth work through our Mobile Intervention Outreach Service, designed to engage young people directly within their communities.

Working in partnership with the Community Safety Team at Havering Council, our outreach will take place in key areas identified as priorities, offering trusted, street-based support that is both responsive and proactive.

What We’re Delivering:

Our sessions will feature a mix of positive activities, including:

  • Table Tennis

  • Music

  • Gaming 

  • Street Chess

These activities are more than just recreation they’re powerful tools for engagement, relationship-building, and early intervention, proven to reduce anti-social behaviour and provide safer spaces for young people at risk of isolation or exploitation.

This programme offers not just structured support, but a safe, inclusive space where young people can express themselves, build confidence, and connect with positive role models.

We’re proud to return to Romford with this vital work and with the support of this funding, we’re ready to make a real, lasting impact.

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Creating Safer Spaces: Supporting Young People in Hildene

by London Borough of HaveringMetropolitan PoliceOutreach

Youth Unity is proud to be working in partnership with the Metropolitan Police on the Our Harold Hill: Clear Hold Build initiative.

Part of this project is to create safe spaces for young people in Harold Hill, offering them a place to come together, engage in positive activities, and build a sense of community.

By providing support, resources, and opportunities, this initiative aims to empower young people, reduce anti-social behaviour, and foster a safer, more inclusive environment for everyone. Together, we are committed to making Harold Hill a place where young people feel safe, valued, and inspired to thrive.

Read this full article regarding the The Clear Hold Build project.

Are you interested in being part of the Henry project? Booking form

Children hand-drawn happy and beautiful neighborhoods in stick figure style illustration. White background.

School Holiday Program: Unity HUB Comes to Harold Hill, supported by BETRA TMO

by London Borough of HaveringMetropolitan PoliceOutreach

Our Media VAN, “Unity HUB,” is scheduled to visit Winsor Park Community Centre in Barking & Dagenham during the October school holidays. This initiative, funded by L&Q, aims to reduce anti-social behaviour and keep young people safe during the school break, a time that can often be challenging for parents and carers.

  • XBox
  • Table Tennis
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Badminton
  • Music
  • Street Chess

These activities have already received positive feedback from local partners and councillors. They are proving popular, keeping young people engaged, reducing anti-social behaviour, and supporting those at risk of exploitation. Our approach is effective and impactful.

Our mobile service not only provides these exciting activities but also creates a safe, inclusive space where young people can develop social skills, teamwork, and overall well-being. It’s a place where they can feel valued and supported by trusted role models, explore their interests, and grow as individuals. We are not only working with young people but also engaging the wider community to help forge relationships between generations. Similar projects have shown significant improvements in confidence, self-esteem, and ambitions among participants.

With the support of our funding, we can ensure proper supervision and provide the guidance and support young people need to reach their full potential.

Children hand-drawn happy and beautiful neighborhoods in stick figure style illustration. White background.

Safer Neighbourhood Havering

by LONDON BOROUGH HAVERINGLondon Borough of HaveringMetropolitan PoliceOutreach

We are thrilled to announce the launch of our Mobile Intervention Outreach Service, operating across multiple areas in the borough. Commissioned by the London Borough of Havering, this initiative aims to deliver engaging activities and vital support directly to the young people in our community.

Mobile Intervention Service

Our mobile service is set to visit various areas identified through the community safety team within Havering Council. This initiative focuses on Intelligent Led Youth Work (ILYW) and offers a variety of fun and engaging activities, including:

  • Table Tennis
  • Basketball
  • Football
  • Badminton
  • Podcasting
  • Music
  • Street Chess

These activities have already received positive feedback from local partners and councillors. They are proving popular, keeping young people engaged, reducing anti-social behaviour, and supporting those at risk of exploitation. Our approach is effective and impactful.

Our mobile service not only provides these exciting activities but also creates a safe, inclusive space where young people can develop social skills, teamwork, and overall well-being. It’s a place where they can feel valued and supported by trusted role models, explore their interests, and grow as individuals. We are not only working with young people but also engaging the wider community to help forge relationships between generations. Similar projects have shown significant improvements in confidence, self-esteem, and ambitions among participants.

With the support of our funding, we can ensure proper supervision and provide the guidance and support young people need to reach their full potential.

Giving Young People a Voice – Soundmap

Our second activity focuses on capturing the voices and experiences of young people in our community. Through street interviews and podcasts, we aim to understand their perspectives on community safety and other important themes.

We will use various multimedia approaches, including surveys, and podcasts, to explore how young people view their homes, neighbourhoods, and public authorities. This initiative will help us understand the socio-spatial implications in our youth community, followed by audio-visual interviews and recordings.

We are thrilled to embark on this journey with our community and look forward to the positive changes and growth it will bring. Stay tuned for updates on our progress and the amazing stories from our young participants

THURSDAY SESSIONS

13th June to 4th July – Hilldene Shopping Area

1st Aug 22nd Aug – Orchard Village, Rainham

29th Sept to 19th Sept – Cherry Tree, Rainham

MONDAY SESSIONS

(School Summer Break)

6th Aug to 27th Aug – Upminster Park