Southall Residents Protest Drug Rehab Relocation in Southall 2026

Key Points

• Second Protest Declared: The second protest will be held by Southall residents against moving the Ealing Council adult drug and alcohol addiction service, RISE, to Southall Town Hall.
• Protest Alliances: This protest is organised by the Southall Residents Alliance (SRA), Clean Air for Southall and Hayes (CASH) and Ealing Community Independents (ECI).
• Increase in Crime: Based on statistics provided by the Metropolitan Police to Balqiis Ali of the Northwest Londoner, there was an increase of 56.8% in crimes from 204 cases in July 2023 to 320 in July 2026 in Southall Broadway.
• Community Complaints: The co-organiser Angela Fonso made allegations of mistreatment and discrimination against Ealing Council, especially due to issues such as open drug use, fly-tipping and mugings.
• Background: The local immigrant lawyer Harjap Bhangal explained that Southall has been facing problems with criminal activities historically, and that this particular decision is the “straw that broke the camel’s back.”
• Official Rebuttals: Both Change Grow Live Ealing and Ealing Council explained that they have never ignored the concerns of the community while defending their functioning.

uk/local/ealing/southall/">Southall (West London Times) September 24, 2026 — 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.

As reported by Balqiis Ali of the Northwest Londoner, a protest is set to take place on Sunday against RISE, with organisers claiming the clinic has exacerbated antisocial behaviour in Southall. Demonstrators have cited a noticeable increase in open drug use, shoplifting, mugging, and fly-tipping since the facility moved into the area.

Why are Southall residents protesting against the RISE facility?

According to Balqiis Ali of the Northwest Londoner, last summer Ealing Council issued a drug warning following the tragic death of a couple living in Southall who had both ingested synthetic opioids. Data from the Metropolitan Police indicates that the rate of reported crime in Southall Broadway has increased by 56.8%, surging from 204 incidents in July 2023 to 320 in July 2026.

RISE had originally relocated from West Ealing in February 2024. Local residents have long believed that this move was orchestrated due to pressure from residents in West Ealing.

Who is leading the community demonstrations?

The protests have been coordinated by a coalition of local groups. As detailed by Balqiis Ali of the Northwest Londoner, the Southall Residents Alliance (SRA), Clean Air for Southall and Hayes (CASH), and Ealing Community Independents (ECI) held their initial demonstration on 15 August.

This first protest occurred just one week after the Metropolitan Police concluded a four-week intensive crackdown in Southall, which resulted in 134 arrests and 13 weapons being seized. During the same month, officers also cleared an unauthorised encampment situated outside the derelict Kings Hall Methodist Church, located just 200 metres from Southall Town Hall.

What have local organisers and community figures said about the situation?

As reported by Balqiis Ali of the Northwest Londoner, co-organiser Angela Fonso, 58, expressed deep distress regarding her daily environment: “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 previously stood for Ealing Community Independents against incumbent Labour councillors for Southall Broadway, went further by accusing Ealing Council of systemic mistreatment.

As stated by Angela Fonso in her interview with Balqiis Ali of the Northwest Londoner,

“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.”

Echoing these community frustrations, local immigrant lawyer Harjap Bhangal, 51, pointed out that Southall’s drug issues are historic, noting that the neighbourhood has been a “hotbed of illicit activity” for decades.

As noted by Harjap Bhangal to Balqiis Ali of the Northwest Londoner,

“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 amplified the protests to his combined 200,000 online followers, also questioned the lack of formal consultation offered to Southall residents and business owners prior to the relocation. Both Bhangal and Fonso have lived in Southall for over 20 years. Fonso expressed grave concern about her future as she nears retirement, asking Balqiis Ali of the Northwest Londoner: “Can I see myself as an elderly person, walking around past drug dealers, trying to circumvent all the bags of rubbish?”

How have the charity and Ealing Council responded to the backlash?

In response to the mounting criticism, a spokesperson from Change Grow Live Ealing—the charity managing RISE—provided an exclusive statement to Balqiis Ali of 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,” the spokesperson told Balqiis Ali of the Northwest Londoner.

The charity representative added:

“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.”

The spokesperson emphasised that they want RISE to be a positive part of the community and remain committed to listening to local residents while supporting those who rely on their services. They also encouraged anyone needing support with drugs or alcohol not to be deterred from seeking help.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson for Ealing Council addressed the community’s grievances in remarks reported by Balqiis Ali of the Northwest Londoner:

“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.”

However, the council maintained that there is no direct evidence linking the current issues to the relocation of Ealing RISE. Instead, the council suggested that the situation reflects a more complex picture, including displacement from enforcement activities elsewhere and preexisting area pressures.

As reported by Balqiis Ali of the Northwest Londoner, the council stated:

“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 confirmed it is increasing CCTV monitoring and on-the-ground patrols, adding:

“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.”

Individuals wishing to contact RISE during the protests are advised to reach out via telephone at 08001958100 or via email at EalingRISE@cgl.org.uk to discuss alternative ways to access support safely.

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Background of the development

The controversy surrounding the RISE facility stems from its relocation from West Ealing to Southall Town Hall in February 2024. Public health and local authority strategies across London frequently involve decentralising or relocating adult addiction and rehabilitation services to meet community health needs. However, these transitions often spark friction between local municipal authorities—such as Ealing Council—and local residential communities. In Southall, this tension has collided with preexisting socioeconomic challenges, historic reports of localized crime, and heightened community anxiety over visible public substance abuse and environmental decay, ultimately culminating in coordinated civic action and public demonstrations.

How this development can affect Southall residents

The ongoing friction between local residents and municipal authorities risks deepening a sense of alienation and distrust among Southall’s immigrant and working-class communities toward Ealing Council. If community grievances regarding crime, antisocial behaviour, and a lack of public consultation are not adequately addressed through transparent dialogue and targeted policing, public dissatisfaction could escalate into further civil unrest and political polarization. Conversely, effective collaboration between the council, the Metropolitan Police, and community organizers could pave the way for balanced solutions that maintain vital public health services while restoring safety and civic pride to Southall Town Hall’s surrounding neighbourhoods.