Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers working against gangs

Nineteen gang members have been given injunctions for a variety of offences thanks to evidence provided by Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs) around Wyllen Close, E1.

Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs) are a uniformed council service formed in September 2009, whose main role is to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and environmental crime. They work in partnership with the Metropolitan Police and have powers to tackle ASB under the Police Reform Act 2002.

The location has faced an historic problem of drug misuse in the children’s play area, alcohol related anti-social behaviour (ASB), and resident intimidation from gangs and gang members. Large groups of young people have also damaged properties as well as numerous examples of graffiti and littering.

THEOs continue to monitor the area and have disrupted attempts from other gangs to cause problems in the area since the injunctions were issued. Residents have been reassured further with THEOs carrying out high visibility patrols on foot and working closely with the council’s CCTV team.

In mid-January, officers working with the K9 dog unit helped on a number of occasions, to prevent drugs from being sold in the area. Most notably drugs were recovered from four males carrying a large amount of class A drugs including heroin, crack cocaine, ketamine and cannabis with a street value of £1,000.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman said: “Once again the THEOs have proved how valuable they are in making Tower Hamlets a safer place to work, visit and live. They’re continued contribution to the borough fills me with pride and they are highly regarded by council partners – most notably the police.”

Cllr Ohid Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, added: “The work of our THEOs continues to get positive results for our residents. They are a valuable part of Tower Hamlets council and work really hard to help the community to feel safer.”

A spokesperson for Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers said: “We are very pleased with the work we have done in and around Wyllen Close. Our consistent approach and resilience has been effective and made a positive contribution to the community.”