Crime Priorities, Cricket at Swyncombe Avenue and the Police Station

Brentford West councillor Craig Owen reports back

Brentford West councillor Craig Owen

July 23, 2026

Apologies that this update is a few weeks late. I start with an update from the meeting with local police and other Brentford residents to discuss local policing priorities and actions to make our neighbourhoods safer. This was my first police ward meeting since the election, so I raised the issues that I picked up during canvassing.  

They included: patrols in and around Baltic Avenue to deter drug use; speeding on the main north-south routes in Brentford; anti-social behaviour on Boston Manor Road – between the tube station and the Co-op; drug use outside Brentford station; stolen bikes; and laughing gas use/disposed canisters. I look forward to the Met updating their priorities for the ward following this discussion. Please contact me if there is an issue that you think should be considered by the Met and I will raise it with them at the next opportunity. 

I also visited the Swyncombe Avenue cricket ground to talk to Middlesex Cricket Club about the recent works to replace the poles and netting as well as Phase 2 of the project – to redevelop the pavilion. I think this project is a great thing for Brentford and women’s cricket, but residents must be taken along on the journey and reassured there will be no significant adverse impact on them. I must reserve my views on the proposals given I am on the Planning Committee, but I can still represent the views of those living around the ground to Middlesex CC. I hope we will have a public meeting to discuss the next phase soon, whilst Middlesex continue to work through their plans. 

I have also been engaging with Topland Group on securing the police station site before redevelopment begins. Sadly, we have seen a few incursions from youths, which is dangerous and has also resulted in graffiti on the windows. Topland has cleaned off the graffiti and has worked with the Council to fill in known entry points. They are putting in additional hoarding, and I hope this will be enough to deter further incursions. I will certainly be monitoring the situation and pushing Topland to maximise security ahead of work starting on site. 

There was also great news on housing – Cabinet approved the total scheme budget for the construction phase of the Albany/Charlton House redevelopment, and a main contractor will be appointed shortly (although they may already have been appointed by the time you read this). Work should start on site in September 2026. 

I was also pleased to see Clitherow Island in Boston Manor Park finally cleared of illegal fencing, opening up the space on the island for other uses – watch this space! 

From waterways to railways – I responded to South Western Railway’s timetable consultation. SWR was asking for general feedback about the existing timetable and the needs of rail passengers, rather than for comments on a proposed new timetable. I shared data with them around the number of rail users we have in Brentford West and the need to at least maintain peak services, even though the world of work has changed since the pandemic. I use peak services 3-4 times a week to go to and from work in Central London and no matter what the time of day, they are still busy! I was also relieved to finally get the graffiti removed on the Brentford station sign on Boston Manor Road, which I reported before the local election. 

I also attended my first meeting as a Trustee of Hounslow Arts Trust. The Board does some great work to promote culture in our fantastic Borough, and I look forward to sharing what events they have going on in the future. 

As ever, if you’re a resident in Brentford West and need any help or want to share comments or feedback, please email me via Craig.Owen@hounslow.gov.uk or visit me at an advice surgery (every second and fourth Saturday 10:00 – midday at Brentford Library and Community Hub). 

See you next month! 

Cllr Craig Owen

Brentford West