A determined group of women from Moorewood Road in Clare Estate have taken a powerful stand against crime, proving that community spirit and unity can triumph over fear.
This inspiring initiative began in May, when the women noticed a sharp rise in housebreak-ins and the theft of copper cables, taps, and wires in their neighbourhood. Unwilling to watch their streets fall further into lawlessness, they decided to form their own patrol group to reclaim their safety.
Rakesh Gobardhan, one of the men supporting this remarkable effort, shared that the initiative has already led to a significant decrease in criminal activity across Moorewood Road, Membry Road, and Magneta Place.
“We have everyone from the youngest to the most elderly woman out on the streets, protecting our community “The eldest is my mother, who is 80 years old, and the youngest is just two. The women patrol every night armed with pepper spray and other safety equipment. We also have men who follow behind them to provide additional security,” said Gobardhan proudly.
The patrol group started with 44 courageous women who came together with one goal: to keep their homes and families safe.
Ward councillor Alicia Kissoon praised the women’s extraordinary efforts, saying, “I had the privilege of joining the resilient residents of Moorewood Road, a community once plagued by crime and now proudly reporting zero incidents thanks to the extraordinary efforts of its people.
“At the heart of this transformation is a ladies-led patrol group that began as a response to fear and has become a beacon of unity and strength. Grandmothers, fathers, mothers, and youth now walk their road with pride. When I visited them, we sat around the fire, and I saw more than warmth — I saw dignity, courage, and a collective refusal to give up on their street. This is a blueprint for grassroots safety and what active citizenship truly looks like. When communities lead, crime retreats,” Kissoon added.
In addition to their patrols, the women, along with men and children, gather every Friday “Casual Friday” to share meals, reinforcing their motto, “Know Your Neighbour.” This weekly tradition echoes the spirit of the good old days, when neighbours sat together in harmony, without high fences separating them.
Through their courage and solidarity, the women of Clare Estate have shown that when a community unites, it can overcome even the toughest challenges — turning fear into strength and strangers into family.
