London Bangla A Force for the community…
ELN: Tower Hamlets started the month with a crackdown on street drinking. For two weeks Tower Halmets Enforcement Officers (THEOs) joined with the Drug and Alcohol Outreach Team (DAAT) to tour trouble hotspots and enforce the Borough’s Responsible Drinking measures. These measures do not ban people from drinking in public, but they do give the Council and the local police powers to act swiftly to prevent things getting out of hand. The new procedures were introduced in September, after 84% of those who participated in a public consultation backed the call for swifter action to nip nuisance in the bud.
In their first crackdown, THEOs challenged 63 drinks, with over half being required to hand over their alcohol. DAAT officers offered advice on services to help with alcohol dependency and related problems – including practical help and moral support. The Borough hopes that this joined approach will bring maximum benefit, as offenders can be targeted with offers of support or strict enforcement, as necessary.
Meanwhile, the Old Bill will be prioritising community safety. Commander Christine Jones explained that the seasonal operation is “not aimed at demonising young people, the large majority of whom behave safely and responsibly. However, those intent on committing crime and anti social behaviour will face the consequences.”
In schools, police officers spent the run up to half term giving pupils tips on how to stay safe. This has been backed up by after-school patrols, involving Safeer Neighbourhood Teams, at key locations throughout the Borough, especially at busy transport interchanges, with a focus on stopping street robbery and violence and other criminal activities – and a hunt for concealed weapons.
The drive against anti-social behaviour hasn’t stopped at transport interchanges. The Met Police Safer Transport Command isn’t a new game for your X-box, though it sounds like it. It’s a team funded by Transport for London, and it’s been running Operation Safebus to tackle public order offences throughout the transport network.
Police and the Borough’s Trading Standards department have joined forces to check out firework sales outlets and shops selling alcohol to stamp out sales to those who are under age.
Commander Christine Jones gave residents this seasonal advice.
“During this busy period, ensure you stay safe by staying with others and try to attend well organised events.
“When you are out, keep your valuables and high value mobile phones out of sight, or leave them at home.
“If trick or treating, be aware of the impact of your actions on others – it may cause unnecessary worry to some of the more vulnerable members of our communities. Wherever possible parents should try to accompany their children.
“If you have any concerns, do not hesitate to contact your local Safer Neighbourhoods Team or in an emergency always dial 999.
“Do not forget the security of your home. If you are going out for the evening, ensure you have closed and locked your doors and windows and make sure that you leave lights on. The clocks go back on 30th October, so it may be dark before you expect it.”
Key safety advice from the Metropolitan Police
Advice to parents and carers:
Make sure you know where your children are and who they are with
Go with them trick or treating if you can
Keep fireworks in a safe place in the house
Report any anti-social behaviour or concerns to your Safer Neighbourhood Team
Attended organised events wherever possible
Advice to young people:
We want you to enjoy yourselves but won’t tolerate unacceptable behaviour or anti-social behaviour
Ensure you are safe by staying with others
Attend organised events wherever possible
When trick or treating avoid knocking on the doors of elderly or vulnerable neighbours and causing unnecessary worry
Keeping your home secure:
Close and lock all your doors and windows, even if you are only going out for a few minutes
Make sure UPVC doors are properly locked with a key
Make sure the side and/or back gate is locked
Lock your shed or garage
Make sure that any valuables are out of sight
Leave some lights on if it will be dark before you get home
Don’t leave your car keys or ID documents near doors, windows or your letterbox
Proud to walk on Stroudley Walk
Tower Hamlets Council has introduced new CCTV equipment in Stroudley Walk, Bromley-by-Bow after residents raised concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in the area. The new cameras will be on the look out for crime and anti-social behaviour: detecting miscreants but also, it is hoped, deterring no-gooders from misbehaving in the first place. The Council hopes the crackdown will make everyone in the area feel that little bit safer.
