Autumn Policing Update

Autumn Policing Update

As the recent weather has very much indicated, we are now well into Autumn, and Winter will soon be approaching. Anti-social behaviour (ASB) incidents traditionally increase over the school holidays, as Halloween and Bonfire periods coincide with darker nights. Many people within local communities, including the elderly, young and other vulnerable persons can be anxious at this time of year with firework misuse, unwanted trick or treating and ASB moving into communal stairwells and buildings. This will impact residential locations, as well as business and transport hubs.

Please be assured that we are stepping up our proactive policing of these issues, taking positive action in issuing warnings, enforcing any dispersal zones and being visible within the local community.

I also wanted to draw attention to some recent activity our local Tower Hamlets Task Force have undertaken in your neighbourhood.

During a proactive operation in E14 working closely with local CCTV operators, officers stopped and search a male within Poplar Recreation Ground on 28th September. The male was found to be carrying a large kitchen knife, which we recovered and removed from the streets as well as arresting the male.

On 15th October we returned to Poplar, conducing a weapons sweep alongside LBTH enforcement officers, this time uncovering a large Rambo-style knife hidden away in some bushes. 

On 16th October, another positive stop and search on the A12 found a 40-year-old male in possession of another large kitchen knife. The male was arrested, charged, and remanded to court.  

Another crime that I know causes serious concern, so we have been running operations to disrupt phone snatchers. 

On 17th September officers within Stepney spotted a high-powered E-Bike with two males riding it that we suspected had stolen phones, who then failed to stop. After a short pursuit, we apprehended both males, seizing the bike and summonsing the rider to court for a range of offences. 

We will continue prioritising the crimes that you tell us mean the most to you, working night and day to create a safer Tower Hamlets for everyone.

Please continue to report issues and concerns to us through the channels available.

Best wishes,

Oliver