Earlier this year, the Brent & Kilburn Times joined Brent Inspector Yu Zhang to witness Operation Terminos – a cross-borough scheme to reduce violence, robbery and burglary across Brent, Barnet, Harrow, Camden and Westminster.
The operation started in March last year, and since then the Metropolitan Police has been able to crack down on a “core group of offenders” who officers believe were contributing to the majority of antisocial behaviour, burglary, robbery and drug offences particularly in Kilburn, Queens Park, Cricklewood & Mapesbury and Brondesbury wards.
Here is a breakdown of just some of the criminals police have targeted.
Joel Fernando
Fernando, 39, of no fixed address, was known to police as a prolific offender.
Over several years, he had reportedly burgled a series of places.
He also began committing violent shoplifting offences, in which he would threaten staff with weapons.
According to Insp Zhang, Fernando would frequently run from police when approached.
He was given a criminal behaviour order, preventing him from entering the NW2, NW6 or NW10 postcodes.
Fernando must also not enter any Co-op stores and cannot enter a supermarket while covering his face.
The order also instructs him to not possess any form of drug paraphernalia including foil, steel wool, homemade pipe and a cannabis grinder.
He must also not possess any tools such as a hammer or screwdriver unless for work purposes.
This was issued on September 4 and expires on September 3, 2034.
Dean Connolly
Connolly, 34, of no fixed abode, has been known to police as a prolific retail crime offender.
He committed numerous shoplifting, robbery and burglary offences around both Brent and Camden boroughs, with most around the Kilburn, Queen’s Park and Brondesbury Park side of Brent – and on the Kilburn side of Camden.
Insp Zhang said: “Connolly is a class A drug user and it is believed that he commits crime to fund his drug habit.”
According to the force, Connolly does not operate alone and he often would commit the offences with his brother Zak, or other individuals under police radar.
Officers started the application for a criminal behaviour order since September 2024 and it was finally secured on September 10 this year, expected to expire on September 9 next year.
As a result, he cannot enter any shop without a form of physical payment methods of payment and he is not permitted to enter many parts of Brent and Camden.
Zack Connolly
The brother of Dean Connolly was also a prolific retail crime offender.
Insp Zhang said that Connolly is a “known class A drug user” that commits numerous shoplifting offences alongside burglaries and robberies to allegedly “fund his drugs habit”.
Officers started the application for an order since September 2024, along with his brother, and it was finally secured on June 23 this year, expiring on June 22, 2028.
Other people slapped with an order thanks to the operation include:
Aaron Osei Kuffuor
Kuffour, 33, of no fixed address, was known to police for a violent robbery in Mapesbury in 2023.
Transport for London (TfL) staff and commuters reported him for his aggressive and persistent behaviour towards females.
According to Insp Zhang, Aaron would make sexual remarks and demand sexual acts from females.
He reportedly boarded the Tube and approached lone females, making them feel extremely uncomfortable.
At times, he would also be near local businesses and target females while begging.
As a result, Kuffour was slapped with a criminal behaviour order on September 8, 2023, with it set to expire next year on September 7.
Patrick Barrett
Barrett, 39, of no fixed address, was under the eye of officers for burglary and alcohol related antisocial behaviour.
He reportedly loitered in areas close to primary schools while intoxicated and would start fights and make lewd remarks.
Insp Zhang said he would also supply drugs within the NW2 and NW6 area and reports that he was seen attempting to draw a Nazi symbol on a Jewish war memorial.
His order was issued on July 20, 2023, and is expected to expire on July 29, 2026.
It restricts him from antisocial behaviour, possessing any drug paraphernalia, urinating in any public place, littering and from entering the Willesden Green ward and Roundwood Ward – along with parts of Cricklewood and Mapesbury along with Kilburn.
