Statement on disturbances in Tower Hamlets
Updated 2pm, Wednesday, August 10
Yesterday the council took pre-emptive
action including removing possible fire hazards and projectiles
from the streets. In addition litter bins and large container
bins were removed and stored. This includes both Tower Hamlets
and private contractors bins.
While they
are off the streets residents can put out their refuse
and recycling on their usual collection day in black sacks for
refuse and pink or clear sacks for recyclables. Businesses can also
put their refuse (in red sacks) and recycling (in lilac sacks) out
on their normal collection day.
Private rubbish and recycling contractors can
contact Veolia on 020 7510 0010 to arrange to get their bins
back.
If you are concerned about the impact of the
recent disturbances on your business, you may find these websites helpful.
5.30 pm,
Tuesday, August 9
Further to our earlier update, we can confirm that
there have been no further significant incidents in Tower Hamlets
today.
However, the council has met regularly with
the police and other partners today to constantly assess the
situation and plan for any further potential disturbances. We will
continue to work collaboratively with our partners throughout the
evening and beyond to do all that we can to ensure the safety of
the community and local businesses.
This work includes taking pre-emptive action
such as removing possible fire hazards and projectiles from the
streets. In addition litter bins have been emptied and large
container bins have been removed and stored.
We are pleased to say that the vast majority
of services have operated as usual throughout the day as well.
The council is now encouraging anyone who may
have information that is useful to the police to call the police’s
Major Investigation Team on 020 8345 4142. Further updates from the
police are available from www.met.police.uk and residents can
also call 101 to report a crime that has already
happened, seek crime prevention advice or make them aware of any
policing issues in your local area.
More useful numbers for residents are available here.
Please continue to visit the council’s website
for further updates on the situation.
11am, Tuesday, August 9
Like the vast majority of the country, Tower
Hamlets residents will no doubt be shocked and alarmed at the
violence and disorder that spread across the capital over the
weekend and last night.
Whilst there were some incidents in Tower
Hamlets overnight, the disorder has been more contained than in
other boroughs and this is down to close collaboration between the
council and our colleagues in the police. We are informed by the
police that the borough is calm this morning and we continue to
monitor the situation closely.
Our street cleaning contractors have already
been out and have done a fantastic job in clearing damaged bins and
debris.
We are continuing to run the vast majority of
council services as normal but will regularly assess the situation
with our partners – including the police - and act on any new
information that becomes available.
Residents are assured that the council is
doing everything in its power to maintain essential services and
ensure the safety of our residents. We would also like to thank the
community for their positive response in supporting the clean up
operation, and will issue updates to ensure residents are
up-to-date with any developments.