East Ham MP and London Assembly Member discuss violent crime at public meeting

East Ham MP Stephen Timms and London Assembly Member Unmesh Desai hosted a public meeting yesterday on serious crime in the capital.

Newham residents debated local measures to tackle violence ahead of the Labour MP’s evidence to the Offensive Weapons Bill Committee in Parliament.

The meeting at Trinity Centre in East Avenue, East Ham, also saw Mr Desai launch his publication Policing London, which includes pledges to deal with violent crime, hate crime and violence against women and girls.

“East London is made up of strong, diverse and harmonious communities,” said the London Assembly Member for City and East.

“It is, however, essential that we listen to residents’ views and work cooperatively if we are to address concerns around increasing incidents of serious and violent crime.

“The community meeting provided the opportunity to do just that, with residents providing insights on their experiences of crime in the local community, and what they would like to see being done to address it.”