Police chief in frank talk on EDL, riots and rising burglaries and robberies

The summer riots and uproar over the English Defence League demonstration have made the past year particularly challenging for the East End.

From a policing perspective, the spotlight has been focused on the Tower Hamlets force and with the Olympics next year, new hurdles lie ahead.

But acting borough commander Supt Robert Revill believes recent months have shown his force is up to the challenge.

The fact the EDL and anti-fascism demos passed without the huge public disorder and mass arrests feared by some backs up his case.

But soaring burglary and robbery rates over the past year – as seen in shocking new figures recently released by the Met – are the latest burden for the area.

In a frank interview, Mr Revill will discuss the successes of the past year along with the worrying increases in burglaries and robberies and reveal what his force is doing to turn back the trend.

Read the full story in the Docklands and East London Advertiser, out tomorrow.