Southall Residents to Hold Protest on Saturday
Relocation of addiction treatment centre at centre of local concerns
A protest earlier this year by Southall residents. Picture: Facebook
October 29, 2026
A major community demonstration is expected in Southall this Saturday, as residents prepare to gather outside Southall Town Hall to protesting at what they claim is the council’s treatment of them as ‘third-class citizens’. Organisers say around 500 people are likely to attend the event, which begins at 2pm on 31 October, under the banner “Southall Matters – Why Aren’t Our Voices Being Heard?”
It is the latest in a series of demonstrations that have been held in the town centre. Campaign groups including the Southall Residents Alliance say the meeting will bring together residents concerned about crime, antisocial behaviour, environmental neglect, major development pressures and what they describe as a persistent lack of meaningful consultation on decisions affecting the area. At the centre of their frustration is the relocation of RISE, Ealing’s drug and alcohol treatment service, to Southall — a move they argue was made without sufficient engagement with the community.
In a statement ahead of the demonstration, organisers said the campaign is not opposed to addiction treatment itself, stressing that people experiencing addiction “deserve proper treatment and support in appropriate clinical environments.” Their concern, they say, is about the location in the town centre and close to Southall Park, the impact on the surrounding neighbourhood, and the process by which the decision was made.
Residents have also raised wider issues they intend to highlight on Saturday, including reports of open drug use, street disorder, shoplifting, fly-tipping, parking pressures and the strain placed on local infrastructure by large-scale residential and industrial development. They argue that Southall is being asked to absorb changes that other parts of the borough would resist more forcefully.
A spokesperson for the Southall Residents Alliance said: “Southall is a proud, diverse and hardworking community, but too many residents feel that we are being treated like third-class citizens when it comes to decisions affecting our own neighbourhood. The relocation of RISE has become a symbol of that frustration. We are asking for meaningful consultation, transparency and accountability — not decisions made first and explanations afterwards.”
The former Town Hall building which now houses RISE has been the focus for demonstrations. Picture: Facebook
Organisers emphasise that Saturday’s event will be peaceful, community-led and open to all residents, regardless of political affiliation.
Ealing Council says it understands the strength of feeling in Southall and is working with partners to address concerns. In a statement, a council spokesperson said: “We know how strongly people care about Southall and we take their concerns very seriously. We are working closely with the police, and other partners, to tackle these issues and prevent them in the longer term.”
The council stressed that treatment services have operated in Southall for many years and play an important role in helping people into recovery. It cautioned against assuming a direct link between RISE and crime, saying: “The causes of crime and anti-social behaviour are complex, which is why gathering evidence and working closely with residents, businesses, the police and other partners is so important.”
The spokesperson added that the council is continuing to listen to residents and businesses and is working to ensure Southall town centre “remains a safe and welcoming place for everyone – one to be proud of.”
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