Law & Order

The Law and Order Committee meet three times a year where our three police teams, (Knightsbridge and Belgravia, Brompton and Hans Town and the Royal Parks) exchange information with councillors and officers from both councils, committee members, faith group representatives, local business leaders and invited residents. In normal times we also welcome a guest speaker. If you would like to join the committee please contact the Association.

This year we have continued to engage regularly in virtual meeting rooms or by having socially distanced doorstop and street meetups.

It has been a difficult, dangerous and unpleasant time for our safer neighbourhood teams with events such as Notting Hill Carnival, Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter demonstrations, at times, taking our police teams away from Knightsbridge. PC Alexander Kaye, one of our Safer Neighbourhood Team was actually hit by a firework aimed at him on 5th November.

Acoustic Cameras

RBKC is funding the trial of two mobile acoustic cameras in Knightsbridge to detect noisy and antisocial drivers. Drivers recorded on camera have received fines and the Council say it may also apply for court orders to seize the vehicles of persistent offenders. This is front line technology for the UK and RBKC is the first Council to trial these cameras which we hope will be extended.

The Brompton police team mounted extra patrols and an anti-supercar sting “OPERATION DAYTONA” which operated in the Knightsbridge area over the whole summer. The Section 35 Anti-Social Behaviour Notice, Crime and Policing Act 2014, PSPO breaches and other traffic offences were also successfully enforced. Exhibition Road has become the latest location for the cars to show off and police officers always patrol when they are on duty, often in plain clothes.

Noisy Parties

From time to time this year residents have been disturbed by parties held in short term rental properties. Night hours are 11.00 pm until 7.00 am. Any examples of noise or anti-social behaviour should be reported in the normal way either to the Council noise team or to the police who can take action. However, the police have no powers of prosecution for noise offences, unlike local authorities. It is also useful to mention, when calling, if you believe there is sale of alcohol involved or that you can smell drugs as the response will be quicker.

RBKC Noise Team: 020 7361 3002
WCC Noise Team: 020 7641 2000

Busking

In the past the Association often received complaints about buskers, who do not need a licence to perform in the street in Knightsbridge. Since the Busking and Street Entertainment Policy RBKC introduced in response to the detrimental impact in the area especially around Harrods and the museums the buskers appear to have vanished.

E-Scooters and the law. 2021

Privately owned E-scooters

Privately owned E-scooters are illegal to use on public roads, cycle lanes and footpaths. They can only be legally ridden on private property with the consent of the land owner. Privately owned E-scooters will continue to be subjected to existing legislation under the Road Traffic Act and are viewed much in the same way as any other powered 2 wheeled mechanically propelled vehicles (mini-moto, Moped, scrambler bike etc.) People who ride privately owned E-scooters on the public road etc. risk being considered for the offences of riding / driving with no insurance and not in accordance with their driving licence. In short they could expect 6 to 9 points on their licence or if they do not have a licence the points would be applied to a ghost licence ready to be applied should they ever apply and obtain a UK driving licence.
E-scooters are mechanically propelled vehicles and anyone driving one whilst intoxicated may be committing an offence. However, any offences regarding drink/drug drive are likely to fall under Section 4 Road Traffic Act 1988.

Government trial scheme

Only E-scooters part of the official scheme will be afforded exemption from the current legislation, once an operator has been selected for the London trial they will provide easily recognisable scooters for hire. The speed of the E-scooters will be limited to 12.5 MPH and the area they operate in will be controlled via geo fence technology – i.e. they won’t work outside of a specific agreed area. For the hire scheme E-scooter trial all riders will be required to be 16 or over and have either a provisional or full driving licence although there will be no specific category that covers the device. Hired E-scooters should not be ridden on the pavement. But you should expect to see them in the road or in cycle lanes.

Further details can be found by using the below link
https://www.met.police.uk/advice/advice-and-information/rs/road-safety/advice-escooters/
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-scooter-trials-guidance-for-users

Current and Up-coming Consultations

Find out more

Law and Order

Madeleine Elsdon

lawandorder@knightsbridgeassociation.com

This committee reflects members’ increasing concern over security, crime and other quality of life issues. While Knightsbridge has always been and remains a very safe area, that is in no small measure thanks to the work of this group. At regular meetings, members are able to discuss their concerns with police officers from the local Safer Neighbourhood Teams as well as local councillors and council officers.