More than 8,000 hours of patrols were carried out by police working on a task force to target drugs and anti-social behaviour in Tower Hamlets.
The partnership task force is funded by Tower Hamlets Council and sees extra police resources dedicated to tackling these two issues.
From April 2023 to December 2023 officers carried out 560 stop and searches, seized 52 vehicles, carried out 60 nitrous oxide seizures, and gave out 155 anti-social behaviour warnings.
They also arrested 126 people, including 17 for possession of class A drugs, 13 arrests for possession with intent to supply class A drugs, four arrests for possession of class B drugs, and 12 arrests for possession with intent to supply class B drugs.
The officers engaged with 560 drug users and carried out 62 referrals to drug addiction recovery services.
Acting Chief Inspector Dave Hodges, Tower Hamlets Neighbourhoods, said:
“Drugs ruin lives and fractures local communities. Our Partnership Task Force (PTF) is a perfect example of how the Police and Local Authority are working together to create a community based approach to crime-fighting and address the crime concerns of our communities.
“These results show the dedicated and targeted work that the Partnership Task Force has been conducting to disrupt and dismantle drug networks across Tower Hamlets.
“We will continue to tackle ASB hotspots and support those most vulnerable in society through the use of these multi-agency approach.”
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said:
“Our residents have told us that drugs and ASB is a real concern for them, which is why we have made it one of our priorities.
“This partnership between the council and police is just one way we are dealing with this. We have had a £4.4m investment in community safety, which included £1.6m additional investment in policing and £2.3m to recruit more Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers.
“We will continue to crackdown on drug dealers and those who are causing a nuisance through their anti-social behaviour.”
Posted on Thursday 8th February 2024