A team tackling anti-social behaviour took to an East End estate in a bid to ensure residents felt safe.

Housing association Poplar HARCA’s new ASB team spoke to more than 150 residents during the walkabout on the Coventry Cross estate in Bromley-by-Bow.

The team has been put together by the housing association and the police, and runs patrols to tackle squatters, gangs and drug dealers.

Metropolitan police Insp Trevor Robinson said: “This pioneering approach to community safety makes perfect sense. Working together is already paying dividends.

“The day helped us demonstrate to residents how accessible the new team is. We will be building on this engagement over the coming months.”

The fire brigade also carried out safety checks and fitted new smoke alarms in properties during the day, earlier this month.