Policing on Holyrood Estate – What’s Working, What Isn’t?
Thought I’d pull together what we actually know about policing around Holyrood and use it as a starting point for a proper discussion, rather than just vibes and rumours.
1. Recent police activity on Holyrood
- Stepped‑up patrols: Police patrols on Holyrood were increased following reports of anti‑social behaviour and drug supply in the area. Southern Daily Echo Facebook
- Arrests made: The Bargate Neighbourhood Policing Team reported at least three arrests linked to drug supply and other offences after increasing their presence on the estate. Southern Daily Echo Facebook
- Neighbourhood focus: Statements from the local team emphasise “relentless pursuit of criminals” and encourage residents to report information and engage with officers on patrol. Facebook
So on paper, Holyrood is on the radar: targeted patrols, arrests, and a stated desire for “community engagement”.
2. Wider context: Bargate & city‑centre policing
Holyrood sits inside a wider policing picture:
- Bargate hotspot work: In the broader Bargate area (parks, city centre), anti‑social behaviour incidents have reportedly dropped after investment in CCTV, lighting, and environmental changes (removing hiding spots, gating certain areas). Southern Daily Echo
- Approach used elsewhere: On other estates (e.g. Millbrook), police and partners have used community events and youth activities to reduce ASB at specific times like Halloween, with reported success. Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Question for us: Are we seeing the same mix of enforcement + prevention on Holyrood, or mostly enforcement?
3. Reporting anti‑social behaviour – what the system expects
Officially, residents are expected to:
- Call 999 if there’s immediate danger or a crime in progress.
- Use 101 or online forms for non‑emergency anti‑social behaviour. Southampton City Council
On paper, that sounds straightforward. In reality, people often say:
- “Nothing happens when I report.”
- “I don’t know if it’s worth calling.”
- “I don’t want trouble for myself if I speak up.”
That gap between process and experience is where a lot of frustration lives.
4. Questions for Holyrood residents
To turn this into a real debate, here are some concrete questions:
- Visibility:
- Do you actually see police on Holyrood?
- Has that changed in the last year?
- Impact:
- Have you noticed any difference in drug dealing, ASB, or general safety since patrols were “stepped up”?
- Are there particular hotspots that still feel ignored?
- Trust & contact:
- Do you feel comfortable approaching officers when they’re on the estate?
- Do you know who your local neighbourhood officers are?
- Balance of approaches:
- Are we getting only enforcement (raids, arrests, patrols), or also prevention (youth work, community events, environmental changes like lighting/CCTV)?
- What would actually make you feel safer here?
- Reporting:
- Have you reported ASB or crime? What happened next?
- Did you feel listened to, or fobbed off?
5. Ideas to put on the table
Not saying these are the answers, but they’re starting points:
- Regular, advertised “police on the estate” drop‑ins – so residents can talk face‑to‑face, not just via 101.
- Joint walkabouts – residents + police + council, mapping hotspots together.
- Youth‑focused alternatives – learning from places like Millbrook where activities have reduced ASB. Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner
- Clear feedback loop – “You reported X, here’s what we did,” instead of silence.
Over to you
- What’s your experience of policing on Holyrood?
- Do you feel safer, the same, or less safe than a few years ago?
- If you could change one thing about how policing works here, what would it be?
Reply with your experiences, good or bad. The more specific we are, the harder it is for anyone—police or council—to pretend everything is fine “in general”.
Thought I’d pull together what we actually know about policing around Holyrood and use it as a starting point for a proper discussion, rather than just vibes and rumours.
1. Recent police activity on Holyrood
- Stepped‑up patrols: Police patrols on Holyrood were increased following reports of anti‑social behaviour and drug supply in the area. Southern Daily Echo Facebook
- Arrests made: The Bargate Neighbourhood Policing Team reported at least three arrests linked to drug supply and other offences after increasing their presence on the estate. Southern Daily Echo Facebook
- Neighbourhood focus: Statements from the local team emphasise “relentless pursuit of criminals” and encourage residents to report information and engage with officers on patrol. Facebook
So on paper, Holyrood is on the radar: targeted patrols, arrests, and a stated desire for “community engagement”.
2. Wider context: Bargate & city‑centre policing
Holyrood sits inside a wider policing picture:
- Bargate hotspot work: In the broader Bargate area (parks, city centre), anti‑social behaviour incidents have reportedly dropped after investment in CCTV, lighting, and environmental changes (removing hiding spots, gating certain areas). Southern Daily Echo
- Approach used elsewhere: On other estates (e.g. Millbrook), police and partners have used community events and youth activities to reduce ASB at specific times like Halloween, with reported success. Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner
Question for us: Are we seeing the same mix of enforcement + prevention on Holyrood, or mostly enforcement?
3. Reporting anti‑social behaviour – what the system expects
Officially, residents are expected to:
- Call 999 if there’s immediate danger or a crime in progress.
- Use 101 or online forms for non‑emergency anti‑social behaviour. Southampton City Council
On paper, that sounds straightforward. In reality, people often say:
- “Nothing happens when I report.”
- “I don’t know if it’s worth calling.”
- “I don’t want trouble for myself if I speak up.”
That gap between process and experience is where a lot of frustration lives.
4. Questions for Holyrood residents
To turn this into a real debate, here are some concrete questions:
- Visibility:
- Do you actually see police on Holyrood?
- Has that changed in the last year?
- Impact:
- Have you noticed any difference in drug dealing, ASB, or general safety since patrols were “stepped up”?
- Are there particular hotspots that still feel ignored?
- Trust & contact:
- Do you feel comfortable approaching officers when they’re on the estate?
- Do you know who your local neighbourhood officers are?
- Balance of approaches:
- Are we getting only enforcement (raids, arrests, patrols), or also prevention (youth work, community events, environmental changes like lighting/CCTV)?
- What would actually make you feel safer here?
- Reporting:
- Have you reported ASB or crime? What happened next?
- Did you feel listened to, or fobbed off?
5. Ideas to put on the table
Not saying these are the answers, but they’re starting points:
- Regular, advertised “police on the estate” drop‑ins – so residents can talk face‑to‑face, not just via 101.
- Joint walkabouts – residents + police + council, mapping hotspots together.
- Youth‑focused alternatives – learning from places like Millbrook where activities have reduced ASB. Hampshire Police and Crime Commissioner
- Clear feedback loop – “You reported X, here’s what we did,” instead of silence.
Over to you
- What’s your experience of policing on Holyrood?
- Do you feel safer, the same, or less safe than a few years ago?
- If you could change one thing about how policing works here, what would it be?
Reply with your experiences, good or bad. The more specific we are, the harder it is for anyone—police or council—to pretend everything is fine “in general”.