Tower Hamlets Borough Commander Dave Stringer on staying safe this festive season

As you would expect, the Christmas and New Year period is a very busy time for the Police Service.

Although many of our local officers will be in central London covering the New Year festivities, we always ensure that we have extra officers in the borough on duty during that time to cope with the extra demand that comes with the holiday season.

My officers will be also playing their part in the crime prevention campaigns that the Metropolitan Police Service runs at this time of year, from enforcing drink/drive laws to working with organisations such as Street Pastors identifying and helping people who may be at risk of harm.

Crime continues to fall, by over five per cent compared to this period last year.

Much of that crime reduction is in burglary although I would always urge people over this time of year to keep their eyes open for suspicious activity when neighbours might be away.

On a final note, I have just given my own contribution to the Commissioner’s Christmas Tree campaign.

Your local station will be only too pleased to accept unwrapped gifts which we will then deliver to needy children across the borough.

It is a sad part of a police officer’s life that we sometimes have to go to homes over Christmas and deliver bad news, whether of a traffic accident or some other unfortunate event.

I know my officers are really looking forward to playing their part in bringing some joy into children’s’ lives this year.

Keep safe and I wish you all a very happy Christmas and a peaceful new Year.