Dave Stringer

The last few weeks have been exceptionally busy for the police in Tower Hamlets. We started July off with the by-election under great scrutiny, went immediately on to the large music festivals in Victoria Park, Field day and Lovebox and then continued with some of our major relgious festivals. Fortunately, despite all the demands on our resources, we were able to keep all the usual elements of our service going as normal and crime continues to fall.

Passing information to the police has long been a taboo subject in Tower Hamlets.

I was at a MOPAC (Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime) roadshow last week at Queen Mary University to talk about crime and confidence in Tower Hamlets.

At this time of year youngsters are looking forward to the school holiday with enthusiasm.

On several occasions I have written about the introduction of the Local Policing Model. There was a public consultation in January at Queen Mary University attended by the Deputy Mayor for London, Assistant Commissioner Byrne and many senior police officers from Tower Hamlets including myself. Things have moved on quite quickly and at the end of March the Mayor’s Office made an announcement on the revised opening times for local police stations across London. Many people agree it is far better to have police officers on the street responding to calls rather than waiting at a front counter at times when very few people use the facility. In summary, Bethnal Green Police Station will remain open 24/7 and Limehouse and Brick Lane Police Stations will be open during the day. In additional there will be four Contact Points at Bow Police Station, Poplar Police office, Isle of Dogs Police Station and St.George’s Town Hall which will be open every Wednesday and Thursday between 7pm and 8pm and every Saturday afternoon between 2pm and 3pm.

On several occasions I have written about the introduction of the Local Policing Model. There was a public consultation in January at Queen Mary University attended by the Deputy Mayor for London, Assistant Commissioner Byrne and many senior police officers from Tower Hamlets including myself. Things have moved on quite quickly and at the end of March the Mayor’s Office made an announcement on the revised opening times for local police stations across London. Many people agree it is far better to have police officers on the street responding to calls rather than waiting at a front counter at times when very few people use the facility. In summary, Bethnal Green Police Station will remain open 24/7 and Limehouse and Brick Lane Police Stations will be open during the day. In additional there will be four Contact Points at Bow Police Station, Poplar Police office, Isle of Dogs Police Station and St.George’s Town Hall which will be open every Wednesday and Thursday between 7pm and 8pm and every Saturday afternoon between 2pm and 3pm.