Forty police officers dedicated to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour will continue their work after Newham Council approved to continue partially funding them.

The enforcement partnership team (EPT) scheme sees the council pay for 20 officers at a cost of just under £1.5 million a year.

The Metropolitan Police match the funding to provide an extra 20 officers at no cost to the council.

They support the work of the council’s own enforcement officers in tackling issues such as rough sleeping, street drinking and prostitution.

Last night’s cabinet decision means EPT officers, who are based at the council’s Dockside offices, will continue working in the borough until 2020.

Cllr Forhad Hussain, cabinet member for crime and anti-social behaviour said: “By assisting the council’s own officers, the police give us a much more effective force to tackle a whole spectrum of crime, from fly-tipping to prostitution, drugs and criminal landlords.

“Police officers give the council the ability to effectively and quickly target the criminals who make our residents lives and environment less secure, and less pleasant.”

Chief Supt Ian Larnder, who is the police borough commander, added: “Newham Police welcome the continued support from Newham Council in funding additional police officers.

“We have already seen the impressive results these officers have delivered over the last three years in tackling those crimes that directly affect the lives of Newham residents.

“I am proud of the strong and close partnership we have with the council and recognise that to create a safer Newham we must have the full support of partners and residents.

“This is a significant financial contribution which will go some way to making Newham safer for all of us.”