An extra 21 cops will crackdown on drugs and anti-social bahaviour
An extra 21 police officers will patrol the streets in a crackdown on anti-social behaviour and drug offences.
Tower Hamlets Council announced this week it is spending �1.3million on 16 new roles, with an extra five funded by the police.
The move will make Tower Hamlets one of the only London boroughs to see a rise in the number of officers.
The squad – which includes one sergeant and two inspectors – will work alongside Safer Neighbourhood teams and Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers.
It will be charged with cracking down on touting and prostitution as well as making sure licensing laws, controlled drinking zones and trading standards guidelines are followed.
You may also want to watch:
At the launch of the new initiative with borough commander Paul Rickett on Tuesday, mayor Lutfur Rahman insisted community safety is a “priority”.
The new squad will take a “holistic approach to combating issues around drugs”, he added.
Most Read
- 1 'Racist consultation' protest rejected on Tower Hamlets street closures as Labour sticks to its manifesto
- 2 Ethnic communities not taking up Covid jabs, Tower Hamlets Mayor warns
- 3 Airbnb house party violence leaves police officer with broken finger
- 4 The Queen lends her name to Royal London’s emergency Covid wards
- 5 Council fined for Alexia Walenkaki's playground death in Mile End and says sorry to family
- 6 Streets around proposed Chinese embassy building could be renamed after persecuted Muslims
- 7 Police raid cannabis factory near Liverpool Street station: 2 arrests
- 8 No injuries but 20 rescued as firefighters tackle Limehouse blaze
- 9 Police hunt after stabbing in Cable Street: One man hurt
Residents have told police anti-social behaviour, drugs and community safety are a big concern, Mr Rickett said.
The boost comes, however, at the same time the Metropolitan Police Authority announced Tower Hamlets will lose four police sergeant roles.
As part of London-wide cuts to Safer Neighbourhoods teams, the Met voted on June 30 to get rid of 150 officers across the capital this year.
A further 150 will go next year.
London Assembly Labour member for City and East, John Biggs said the cuts “undermine the reassurance and trust” police have built up in communities in recent years.