Residents have organised their second protest against the relocation of an Ealing Council service for adults with drug and alcohol addiction to Southall Town Hall.
On Sunday 27 September, a protest is set to take place against RISE, with organisers claiming the clinic has exacerbated antisocial behaviour in Southall, citing an increase in open drug use, shoplifting, mugging and flytipping.
Last summer Ealing Council issued a drug warning following the death of a couple living in Southall who had both ingested synthetic opioids.
According to the Met, the rate of reported crime in Southall Broadway has increased by 56.8% from 204 in July 2023 to 320 in July 2026.
RISE had relocated from West Ealing in February 2024, with locals believing that it was due to pressure from residents there.
The protest, organised by Southall Community Alliance (SCA), Clean Air for Southall and Hayes (CASH) and Ealing Community Independents (ECI) held their first demonstration on 15 August.
This had been one week after the Met had concluded their four-week intensive crackdown in Southall, which led to 134 arrests and 13 weapons seized.
In the same month, officers had also swept an unauthorised encampment outside the derelict Kings Hall Methodist Church, 200m from Southall Town Hall.
Co-organiser Angela Fonso, 58, said: “I am living this nightmare. I live here. I see the drug dealers. I see drug use. I see the fly-tipping. I see the anti-social behaviour… for me it is the height of neglect.”
Fonso, who stood for Ealing Community Independents against the incumbent Labour Councillors for Southall Broadway, accuses Ealing Council of systemic mistreatment.
She said: “Fundamentally, what is going on here is racial discrimination.
“It is easier to dismiss, ignore, and increase the marginalisation of a very vulnerable and disadvantaged community.”
Local immigrant lawyer, Harjap Bhangal, 58, points to Southall’s drug issue as a historic issue, saying for decades it had been a “hotbed of illicit activity”.
He added: “The protest is an amalgamation of things; the drug users around RISE, especially near schools, well, that’s just the straw that broke the camel’s back.”
Bhangal, who has been amplifying the protest to his combined 200,000 online followers, questioned the lack of consultation for Southall residents and business owners.
Both Bhangal and Fonso have lived in Southall for over 20 years, with the latter seriously questioning her future as she nears retirement.
She said: “Can I see myself as an elderly person, walking around past drug dealers, trying to circumvent all the bags of rubbish?”
A spokesperson from Change Grow Live Ealing, the charity that manages RISE, has responded exclusively to the Northwest Londoner.
“We understand that some local residents have concerns about disruption and anti-social behaviour in the local area, and that some of these concerns have been linked to the relocation of RISE,” they said.
“We recognise that changes to local services can have an impact on the surrounding community, and take these concerns seriously. We continue to work closely with Ealing Council, the Metropolitan Police and other local partners to understand the issues and identify how we can collectively respond.
“RISE will remain open, and we are working with our partners to help ensure that people can continue to access the service safely.
“We want RISE to be a positive part of the community it serves. We remain committed to listening to local residents, supporting the people who rely on our services and working constructively with our partners to address concerns and make sure people can continue to get the help they need.”
They added they would encourage anyone in Southall or across Ealing who needs support with drugs or alcohol not to be deterred.
A spokesperson for Ealing Council said: “We understand why residents and businesses are concerned, particularly about reports of open drug use and intimidation, and we take this seriously.
“This behaviour is completely unacceptable, and we’re working closely with police to increase patrols, target known hotspots close to South Road and St Joseph’s Drive, and take action against those involved in crime, including drug dealing.
“There is no evidence that the current issues are being caused by the relocation of Ealing RISE. What we are seeing reflects a more complex picture, including displacement from enforcement activity elsewhere and existing pressures in the area.
“Everyone who uses RISE does so voluntarily and are taking steps to improve their health and wellbeing. That is why we are bringing together enforcement with compassionate outreach, ensuring that those who need help are supported while those who break the law face the consequences.”
Ealing Council has said they are increasing CCTV monitoring and on-the-ground patrols.
It added: “We have listened to residents and businesses, and we will continue to take whatever action is necessary to protect our town centre and ensure Southall remains a place people can be proud of.”
If anyone is interested in contacting RISE during the protest, they are advised to contact RISE’s team at 08001958100 or [email protected], and they will talk through alternative ways to access support.
Featured image credit: North West Londoner
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