More than 2,000 cigarettes have been seized, stolen motorbikes recovered and a number of fines and warnings issued during a day of action in Tower Hamlets.
Council teams, along with Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers, our Police Partnership Task Force and the Whitechapel neighbourhood Police, visited Vine Court, in E1, after complaints from residents about drug dealing, anti-social behaviour, fly tipping, noise nuisance and poor parking.
The day, coordinated by the council’s ASB and community Safety team, was very successful and resulted in a number of shops being searched by Trading Standards and the seizure of 2,353 illicit non-UK or counterfeit cigarettes from one shop and smaller quantities from others.
The environmental services team fined a business for flytipping and the highways team secured the removal of two bicycle’s which were left carelessly. Three suspected stolen motorbikes were recovered by the parking enforcement team and the specialist substance misuse investigations team engaged with four vulnerable people.
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: “This was a very successful day of action which shows the council responds to residents’ concerns.
“The work done here will help improve the area, reduce crime, and show that illegal activities are not welcome in our borough.
“We encourage everyone to report any issues to us so we can look into them and take action where needed.
“Thank you to all the teams who took part in this day. We will be holding more targeted operations like this in the future.”
Chief Inspector Claire Horgan said: “Officers from the Partnership Task Force and Neighbourhood wards assisted the local authority in their day of action in Tower Hamlets.
“Officers provided assistance to all departments during the day while also reassuring the local community who have been affected by these criminal activities in Vine Court for too long.”
Posted on Wednesday 16th August 2023