Council enforcement officers and the Police have carried out a major operation to clamp down on contractors illegally employing unskilled labourers in and around Hertford Road in Barking.

The joint operation which took place over 10 days in March and April 2019, also tackled anti-social behaviour, including fly-tipping, littering and urinating in public. In addition, officers carried out focused work to clean up the area.

The operation involved council officers, the Police, Immigration Officers, the HM Revenue and Customs and resulted in:  

• 31 Dispersal Notices given to people who were meeting at Hertford Road and waiting to be picked up for illegal work – the Dispersal Notices ban these people from coming back to the area
• 7 uninsured drivers caught illegally driving at Hertford Road and 6 vehicles seized
• 13 Removal Notices issued for suspected abandoned vehicles
• A coach removed  which had people sleeping inside it
• An untaxed vehicle removed from the area
• 17 tonnes of fly-tipped waste cleared away
• 3 Fixed Penalty Notices issued for urinating in public and spitting  

Information and guidance on employer’s legal responsibilities were given to all passing tradesmen and were also sent to registered owners of all the vehicles that were seen trying to pick up labourers at Hertford Road.

“We’re determined to crack down on people who exploit others and put profits above people."

Following the targeted enforcement operation, the number of people who have been meeting and looking for illegal labour work at Hertford Road has gone down from a daily average of 70 people to 4 people. Littering and other anti-social behaviour has also reduced in the area.

"Working with partners, we have cracked down hard and we'll continue to clamp down as part of our zero tolerance approach to crime and anti-social behaviour."

Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety, said: “We’re determined to crack down on people who exploit others and put profits above people. This area was a known spot for picking up cheap, illegal labour and our operation sends a crystal clear message that we will not stand for this in Barking and Dagenham.  

“Hertford Road was also suffering from constant anti-social behaviour which was intimidating for local residents and businesses and harming their quality of life. Working with our partners, we have cracked down hard on these issues and we will continue to clamp down in the future as part of our zero tolerance approach to crime and anti-social behaviour."