Arrest made as 48-hour crime crackdown begins in Manor Park

Newham police and Council enforcement officers started a two-day crime and anti-social behaviour blitz in Manor Park this morning.

Operation Ohio, a total enforcement initiative, returned to the borough’s streets at 7am involving members of the Council’s enforcement team and Section 92 officers from the Metropolitan Police.

A Council spokesman said one arrest has already been made in conjunction with the UK Border Agency relating to visa irregularities, a fly-tipper has been identified, and garden waste is being targeted with properties given notices and facing fines.

Council CCTV vans are patrolling the area in Manor Park with police to deal with offences as they happen while Council enforcement teams have also joined officers in police vans.

The partnership is also focusing on drug-dealing with a view to investigate offences committed on the street and in premises.

Several vehicles have also been identified abusing blue badge disabled parking.

The Council said the decision was taken to repeat last month’s exercise after ‘an overwhelmingly positive response from residents’.

Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales said: “Residents told me during the first operation that they were delighted with what we were doing and we will always put the needs of law-abiding people first.”

Last month’s operation took place from September 13 to 15 focusing on one square mile around Freemason’s Road, Canning Town carried out by 45 enforcement team members, 20 Section 92 police officers, two officials from HMRC and the vehicle licensing authority.

Three arrests were made relating to drug possession while a high number of anti-social behaviour offences were tackled including school truancy, disabled parking badge abuse, car tax evasion, dogs not kept on a lead, waste in front gardens and littering.