Key points
- Amanda De Ryk, Labour and Co‑operative Party candidate for Mayor of Lewisham, has set out a series of proposals if elected in the 7 May 2026 mayoral election.
- A central pledge is to launch a “community enforcement patrol” to tackle anti‑social behaviour and make public spaces feel safer across the borough.
- De Ryk also wants to establish a Lewisham Young People’s Trust to act as a “front door” for services, support and opportunities for young people.
- De Ryk has been a Lewisham councillor since 2010, currently serving as Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance, and represents Blackheath ward.
- The Lewisham Labour mayoral campaign is being promoted by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) and local media outlets, which have reported her stated priorities ahead of polling day.
Lewisham (South London News) May 2, 2026 Amanda De Ryk, Labour’s candidate for Mayor of Lewisham, has outlined a plan that would see the borough bolster its street‑level safety infrastructure if she is elected on 7 May 2026.
As reported by the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), De Ryk said she intends to launch a “community enforcement patrol” designed to help residents feel safer in their neighbourhoods, particularly through a visible presence in areas where anti‑social behaviour is a concern. In the Labour mayoral manifesto published by Lewisham Labour, this is framed as part of a wider “Safer Communities” priority, under which the council would target anti‑social behaviour and make public spaces more welcoming by funding community enforcement officers.
De Ryk told LDRS that the patrols would be targeted at hotspots and would work in tandem with existing enforcement teams, police, housing services and youth services to prevent problems before they escalate. The manifesto notes that Lewisham has already introduced a Public Space Protection Order across the borough and funded additional enforcement officers, and under a De Ryk mayoralty, the council would continue to invest in enforcement officers to tackle anti‑social behaviour and keep public spaces cleaner and more welcoming.
What will the Lewisham Young People’s Trust actually do?
As reported by MyLondon and the Local Democracy Reporting Service, De Ryk said that, if elected, she would seek to establish a Lewisham Young People’s Trust intended to act as a single “front door” for young people seeking support, opportunity and guidance.
The Labour manifesto expands on this, describing the Lewisham Young People’s Trust as a coordinating body that would bring together youth services, voluntary organisations and charities to help young people access the support they need and to guide them towards employment, training and personal development opportunities.
According to the manifesto, the Trust would complement and extend existing Lewisham youth‑service work, including revamped youth clubs and a wider youth‑diversion offer, with the aim of steering young people away from crime and anti‑social behaviour and towards constructive activities.
De Ryk has also tied this to broader education and employment ambitions, saying that the Trust would help to connect young people with job opportunities, apprenticeships and in‑work training, as part of Lewisham Labour’s wider “Your Children’s Future” and
“Your Local High Street”
strands of policy.
Who is Amanda De Ryk and what is her council record in Lewisham?
Amanda De Ryk is a long‑serving Lewisham councillor who has represented Blackheath ward since 2010 and has held senior roles within the council’s cabinet.
As noted in the Lewisham Labour mayoral manifesto, she has served as Cabinet Member for Finance, Resources and Performance for roughly eight to nine years, during which she has been responsible for overseeing the borough’s budget, financial resilience and service performance.
In campaign materials published by Lewisham Labour, De Ryk is described as “deeply rooted in the community” and someone who has helped to keep the council financially stable while delivering new housing, improvements to schools and better‑maintained green spaces.
The manifesto highlights that Lewisham has delivered over 2,000 genuinely affordable homes, reduced the repairs waiting list by about 70%, and brought housing services back in‑house, all of which De Ryk has helped to oversee during her time on the cabinet.
Background: Why is a community enforcement patrol being proposed now?
The Lewisham Labour manifesto situates the proposed community enforcement patrol within a broader context of rising concern about anti‑social behaviour, street‑level disorder and the need to keep public spaces safe and welcoming.
The council notes that it has already introduced a Public Space Protection Order and funded additional enforcement officers to target hotspots, but argues that further investment is needed to maintain a visible deterrent and to support residents who feel affected by low‑level crime and nuisance.
Lewisham, like many other London boroughs, has faced persistent challenges around graffiti, street drinking, fly‑tipping and pedestrian‑level safety; the manifesto frames the community enforcement patrol as a “public‑health”‑style response that works alongside the police and youth services rather than simply as a punitive measure.
De Ryk has also linked the proposal to the council’s record on housing, youth services and community safety, suggesting that the patrol would form part of a wider package of policies aimed at preventing crime and improving everyday quality of life.
Separately, the Lewisham Young People’s Trust is being presented as a way to address longer‑term structural issues facing young people, including poverty, limited employment prospects and the risk of involvement in crime.
The manifesto notes that Lewisham has already invested in youth diversion programmes, youth clubs such as Riverside Youth Club, and training schemes, and argues that a Trust would coordinate these efforts more effectively and give young people a clearer route into support and opportunities.
Prediction: How might a De Ryk mayoralty affect Lewisham residents?
If Amanda De Ryk is elected Mayor of Lewisham on 7 May 2026, the most immediate, visible impact on many residents is likely to come from the expanded community enforcement presence and the way anti‑social behaviour is policed in public spaces.
Residents who live near known hotspots or frequent town centres may see a higher number of enforcement officers on foot patrol, which could alter perceptions of safety even if recorded crime levels change only gradually.
For younger Lewisham residents and their families, the launch of a Lewisham Young People’s Trust could make it easier to access youth services, training and employment pathways, particularly for those who feel they are not well‑connected to existing provision.
The effect on youth engagement and crime levels, however, would depend heavily on how much funding the council is able to commit to enforcement and youth services, and how well the Trust coordinates with schools, the police and voluntary organisations.
Ultimately, the shape of De Ryk’s mayoralty would be constrained by the borough’s financial situation, the outcome of the broader 2026 local elections and the level of support from other councillors and national Labour policy. Her emphasis on community enforcement and a youth‑focused “front door” service suggests that residents concerned about street‑level safety and opportunity for young people will be among the groups most directly affected by her programme if she assumes the mayoral role.
