New Borough Commander Lucy D’Orsi
Friday March 4, 2011
“You can only spend £1 once – so we need to spend it properly.” These are the words of Chief Superintendent Lucy D'Orsi – the borough’s new Police Chief who started work in the borough this week.
“We need to target our resources in the most effective way that delivers the most benefits to local people,” says Chief Superintendent D’Orsi - who is just three days into the job after joining from Enfield.
Speaking from behind her desk at Hammersmith Police Station Ch Supt D’Orsi says: “We have a series of crime challenges in the borough from huge numbers of extra people coming into the borough, because of the massive new shopping centre opening at Westfield, to more people being tempted into acquisitive crime.
So, after 19 years working for the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS), what are the new Borough Commander’s priorities for H&F?
“I am intolerant of people who commit crime of any level,” continues Ch Supt D’Orsi. “Whether it is someone cycling on the pavement, serious acquisitive crime or violent gangs we need to send a clear message that these things are not acceptable.
“We will continue to target the feeders for crime. Maintaining a strong-stance on tackling drugs is a priority and I want to work closely with the council on issues like licensing to minimise the environment for crime.
“I also want to work closely with residents to give them confidence that my team is focused on the priorities that matter most to them. I am a member of my local Neighbourhood Watch but I realise it is no use residents reporting issues if they don’t get the right response.”
Having joined the MPS in 1992, Ch Supt D’Orsi has performed a variety of roles in four London boroughs as well as specialist functions such as policing major demonstrations – including the recent student protests.
Career highlights have included a specialist operation to disrupt gangs who were involved in the sales of firearms as well as leading the police operation during London's largest fire of 2006, in Beaufort Park, Hendon. The blaze, at a building site grew to such a scale that it forced the evacuation of Colindale Police Station - including a high profile prisoner.
Ch Supt D’Orsi concludes: “I am delighted to be here and I want Hammersmith & Fulham to be a borough of choice for people to live, work and socialise without being in fear of crime or anti-social behaviour.”
The Borough Commander will be one of the keynote speakers at the borough’s fifth annual Crime Summit this Saturday (March 5) along with Cllr Greg Smith – the council’s Cabinet Member for Residents’ Services. Cllr Smith says: “I would like to welcome Chief Superintendent D'Orsi to H&F. Following the retirement of Kevin Hurley she certainly has very large shoes to step into. I look forward to working with her to ensure criminals are persecuted on this borough and shown the zero tolerance they deserve.”
If you would like to book a place or want more information please email crime.summit@lbhf.gov.uk or call 020 8753 2359. Alternatively, contact the Borough Commander with your crime priorities at hammersmithandfulham.police@met.police.uk.
