I thought cities has "street crime", but anyway... Sticking through my mail slot was a copy of "east end life" (22-28 September 2008), with the following front page article. I'll leave the determination of relevance to this forum up to you.
So... Brick Lane (or some side street) is a "highway", huh? Got to love antiquated laws.
I'm not sure that the number of stop and seraches is relevant - it just says how many times they tried to bust someone. Did they get it wrong about 90 times? Good work! Maybe they should stop and search everyone in a 2 mile radius and see what shakes out of people's pockets... "Everyone face the wall and put your hands on the blue circles with your legs apart. This is a control. Do not resist." Or something.
Who wants to put money on whether the off-licence was reported by a competitor, and at a time that alcohol was otherwise available nearby?
And last question... what do the police (and co) do for the rest of the year if they aren't cracking down on crime?
It would be interesting to compare these stats with the stats of a usual week down in Brick Lane.
-spxl.
33 arrested in Lane crime crackdown
Swoop hits touts, unlicenced traders and dealers
BY KATE TAYLOR
A CRACKDOWN on anti-social behavior and crime in Brick Lane resulted in 33 arrests, 95 stop and searches, and four warnings for cannabis possession.
Officers from Tower Hamlets Council's community safety, markets and civil enforcement teams worked side by side with police officers from the Safer Neighbourhoods team.
Linked to the council's CCTV control room, the operation targeted restaurant and taxi touting, public order offences, highway obstruction, possession of drugs and disorderly behaviour.
Lead councillor for a cleaner, safer, greener borough Abdal Ullah said: "We will carry on cracking down on crime and disorder as weeks such as these show what great results can be achieved.
"We will continue to work together with the police to make sure that Brick Lane remains a safe and vibrant area for people to live and socialise."
Det Supt Steve Bending said: "This is one of several initiatives that we are carrying out, working in partnership with the council to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour."
In total, 33 arrests were made - 12 for taxi touting, seven for public order offences and four for highway obstruction. Five people were arrested for offering or supplying drugs, two for the possession of drugs and one for grievous bodily harm. Two people wanted by the police were also arrested.
In addition to this, 95 stop and seraches were carried out and four people were given warnings for cannabis possession. An off-license was also reported for trading outside licensed hours.
Civil enforcement officers also issued 46 penalty charge notices to illegally parked vehicles, towed away four vehicles and recovered Ł1,250 worth of outstanding fines.
Letters reminding licensed restaurants of their obligations under the touting bylaws were delivered. Market officers also seized goods from unlicensed street traders including bikes, counterfeit DVDs, cigarettes and tobacco.
So... Brick Lane (or some side street) is a "highway", huh? Got to love antiquated laws.
I'm not sure that the number of stop and seraches is relevant - it just says how many times they tried to bust someone. Did they get it wrong about 90 times? Good work! Maybe they should stop and search everyone in a 2 mile radius and see what shakes out of people's pockets... "Everyone face the wall and put your hands on the blue circles with your legs apart. This is a control. Do not resist." Or something.
Who wants to put money on whether the off-licence was reported by a competitor, and at a time that alcohol was otherwise available nearby?
And last question... what do the police (and co) do for the rest of the year if they aren't cracking down on crime?
It would be interesting to compare these stats with the stats of a usual week down in Brick Lane.
-spxl.