Forest Gate hotel told to install CCTV to sort drugs and violence issues

A hotel has been ordered to install CCTV cameras and signs discouraging drug use after it was described by police as “the source of a number of crimes that are of a violent and anti-social nature”.

Forest Gate Hotel in Godwin Road was the subject of a premises licence review presented to a Newham Council sub-committee on April 16 that also noted the venue is linked to drugs supply and use leading to a high number of noise complaints in the area.

Pc Darren Bull presented the police case to councillors saying that a manager had been assaulted there and an action plan agreed upon between the hotel’s area manager, council, and police in January was not being adhered to properly.

The council ordered Forest Gate Hotel to introduce new measures such as CCTV cameras, prominent anti-drug use signs, a proof of age scheme, door supervisors, and staff training.

Det Insp Sam Cailes, from the police’s licensing team, said: “The measures imposed are not about stopping responsible drinking but are designed to tackle the minority who cause alcohol-related crime and disorder in the local community.

“It sends out a strong message to our licensees - if they cannot control their clientele they risk having their licenses reviewed.”

Piers Warne, representing the hotel, said that youths in the area were putting a strain on the premises, referring to a particular incident where barred individuals had to be forcibly removed by management.

He added that some of the action plan had been addressed but at a later stage.

Cllr Ian Corbett, chairing the committee, said the “tough” steps were designed to address the hotel’s issues.