Newham Council - ‘We’ve got the power to take on the yobs’
New powers have been given to Newham Council enforcement officers to tackle the yob on our streets.
Twenty-three of the council’s officers were accredited under a Home Office intiative that enables the Chief of Police for each force area to designate limited police powers to employees of non-police organisations who contribute towards community safety.
Under the Community Accreditation Scheme, the enforcement officers can request name and address for Fixed Penalty Notices, anti-social behaviour, and offences that cause injury or distress; confiscate alcohol from under 18s and adults in designated public places; and confiscate cigarettes and tobacco from under 16s.
Det Chief Supt Letchford said: “As can be seen, the commitment of both the MPS and London Borough of Newham to making Newham a safer place is going from strength to strength and is a formidable partnership dedicated to dealing with the menace of anti social behaviour and crime in general.
“By getting more people out on the streets dealing with the things that really matter to the people of Newham we will continue to cut crime and keep the criminals on the back foot, making Newham a hostile place for those who come here to commit crime.”
Specially trained council officers applied for the accreditation under the Police Reform Act 2002, to maintain a high profile enforcement presence on the streets.
Newham Mayor Sir Robin Wales said: “Tackling crime and anti-social behaviour is one of the key priorities in this borough and we take it very seriously. We will never apologise for cracking down hard on yobs that make residents’ lives miserable.
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“These new powers will make a big difference. Working closely with Newham’s Metropolitan police officers and council funded police officers; we will ensure that we maintain a high - profile, visible and effective total enforcement presence on our streets.”
Cllr Unmesh Desai, executive member for crime and anti-social behaviour, said: “These are additional and enhanced powers for our council officers. It will make it easier for us to tackle crime and ASB and that can only offer reassurance to our residents.”
