A SQUAD of Town Hall officers have received policing powers to seize alcohol and cigarettes from youths or slap fines on anyone dropping litter in London’s East End. The 10 enforcement’ officers were handed their accreditation by the Tower Hamlets Borough Commander
A SQUAD of Town Hall officers have received policing powers to seize alcohol and cigarettes from youths or slap fines on anyone dropping litter in London's East End.
The 10 'enforcement' officers were handed their 'Community Safety' certificates yesterday by Tower Hamlets Borough Commander Paul Rickett yesterday at the Town Hall in front of the local authority's Communities director after passing their training to tackle anti-social behaviour and street drinking.
Commander Rickett said: "These enforcement officers are tackling issues that blight people's lives."
They have been assigned to support police and Neighbourhoods teams in some of the roughest areas with legal powers to seize alcohol from youths under 18 and cigarettes from children under 16.
The 'enforcers' are also being used to patrol 'no drinking' zones where they're needed, dressed in bright yellow reflective jackets similar to those worn by police.
Their accreditation gives them legal power to issue fixed penalty notices for anti-social behaviour on the streets, in parks, open spaces and housing estates.
They can take any enforcement action including taking names and addresses of anyone causing anti-social behaviour and for offences causing injury, distress or property damage. Their role also includes making sure highways and pavements are kept clear.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here