More police officers for Tower Hamlets
As government cuts to the Metropolitan Police
Force continue to bite, the Mayor of Tower Hamlets has responded to
residents' concerns by proposing even more police officers to
patrol the borough's streets.
Adding 17 extra local authority funded police
officers (16 constables and one sergeant), to the 16 provided last
year, the £1.5 million investment would lead to a total of 33
additional police officers in Tower Hamlets. Coupled with the
police officers provided by the Borough Commander this would create
a dedicated team of 39 police officers tasked with tackling
residents’ concerns.
The police team would be in addition
to Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs). Introduced in 2009,
the THEOs provide an additional uniformed presence on the borough’s
streets which helps residents to feel safer.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman said: "Our Annual
Residents Survey shows that crime remains - by far - the top
personal concern for borough residents. That is why tackling
community safety is my priority.
"To deal with these concerns I want to
increase the number of police officers on the streets in Tower
Hamlets. This is at a time when boroughs across London are seeing
cuts in police numbers.
“The police officers would work hand-in-glove
with my Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs), who deal with
the types of anti-social behaviour that really affect residents’
quality of life such as street drinking, graffiti, dog fouling and
littering.”
Borough Commander Detective Chief
Superintendent Paul Rickett said: "Tower Hamlets Police has a
successful track record of working in partnership with the council
to tackle issues of community safety. This latest initiative
highlights the partnership's continuing commitment to keep Tower
Hamlets safe for those who live, work and visit.
“The council-funded police officers will work
closely with the council's THEOs, who are accredited by the
Metropolitan Police and have an impressive track record of stamping
out low-level anti-social behaviour in our community.”
The investment would fund the additional 17
police officers over a three-year period and would hit the
borough's streets this summer. They will be joined by an additional
sergeant funded by the police and will be tasked with tackling the
drug and anti-social behaviour issues which blight residents'
quality of life. The additional officers would complement the work
of the Partnership Task Force.
Established in 2011, the task force was part
of the council's initial investment. The council dedicated over
£1.3 million over a two-year period to fund 16 officers and other
initiatives including continuance of the successful 'Dealer a Day'
programme. The Borough Commander added five officers, making a
total of 21.
In the team's first six months (June -
November 2011), they arrested 164 offenders, conducted over 1,700
stop and searches and identified the suspected offenders of 169
crimes. Their work has also led to a 21 per cent reduction in the
number of reports of anti-social behaviour.
The THEOs have continued to make a positive
impact on the borough’s streets. Through the implementation of
Tower Hamlets responsible drinking borough, they have made more
than 1,000 street alcohol seizures which has lead to a 77 per cent
reduction in alcohol related anti-social behaviour reports.
The council funded officers would be in
addition to current numbers provided for the borough by the
Metropolitan Police, meaning more could be done to tackle crime and
anti-social behaviour.
The proposals will go before Full Council on February 22,
2012.
January 24, 2012