Residents living near Morrisons supermarket at The Mount in Acton claim drug dealing and anti-social behaviour have worsened despite a Metropolitan Police crackdown that the force says has contributed to a 48% fall in reported incidents across Acton.
The concerns come four months after EALING.NEWS reported complaints from locals and businesses about street drinking, substance misuse, suspected drug dealing and public defecation in and around the supermarket and surrounding streets.
Residents have now told EALING.NEWS that groups of as many as 20 people regularly gather outside residential buildings. They claim drug use and dealing, fighting, shouting and loud music continue throughout the night.
One resident said people had repeatedly entered their building and hidden in its bin area or utility room to take drugs. They also reported theft and aggressive behaviour.
The resident told EALING.NEWS: “Some of us, especially women, have stopped using the bin room because we are too scared to go there to throw rubbish away.
“Every night we have to take turns to escort women residents who come back from work or a night out into our own residential buildings, as there could be as many as 20 people crowding our entrances.”
The resident, who asked not to be named, said those living in the building had been reporting incidents to police almost every day.
They said officers were sometimes helpful but claimed calls were frequently treated as non-urgent, with police taking around 45 minutes to arrive or not attending on busy nights.
The resident added: “Since Operation Broad Oak was deployed, unfortunately we have not seen any improvement. In fact, it has got so much worse.
“There are more and more drug users crowding the area every single night and day. They are now gathering there during the day and taking and dealing drugs in broad daylight, and some have become more aggressive.”
Residents also pointed out that the reported activity was taking place only a few minutes’ walk from Acton Police Station.
Operation Broad Oak was launched in June 2026 to target drug-related crime and anti-social behaviour in Acton.
The Metropolitan Police said reports of anti-social behaviour across Acton had fallen from 85 in June to 44 in August – a reduction of 48.2%. The figures cover Acton as a whole rather than The Mount specifically.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson told EALING.NEWS: “We understand the concerns raised by residents and recognise the impact that persistent antisocial behaviour can have on people’s quality of life and sense of safety.
“Operation Broad Oak was launched in June 2026 and remains in its early stages. However, it is already beginning to have a positive impact, with anti-social behaviour incidents across Acton falling from 85 reports in June to 44 in August, a reduction of 48.2 per cent.
“We remain committed to working closely with residents and our partners to identify problems, target offenders and address factors that can contribute to antisocial behaviour in our local area.”
Ealing Council said 31 community protection warnings and notices had been served following the launch of Operation Broad Oak.
Speaking to EALING.NEWS, an Ealing Council spokesperson said: “Significant actions have been undertaken since launching Operation Broad Oak including the targeting of criminal and anti-social behaviour in The Mount as well as significantly more enhanced patrols of Acton by the council, Acton’s Business Improvement District and the police too.
“Thirty-one community protection warnings and community protection notices have been served and investigations have found more people and properties where further enforcement actions are likely to be taken. Opportunities to design out crime and improve surveillance of the area are also being explored.
“Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour is one of the council’s top priorities, and it is also a highly complex issue, and we are working tirelessly with our partners – including the police, local businesses, community safety groups and resident associations – to address the issue.
“If residents or local businesses are experiencing anti-social behaviour they can contact our safer communities team either by telephoning 020 8825 5994 or emailing safercommunities@ealing.gov.uk.”
