As lockdown eased with pubs, restaurants, bars and hairdressers opening, it turned into a busy weekend for Barking and Dagenham Council enforcement officers.

As residents got their drinking and eating hats on, enforcement officers at the east London borough had a very important job to do, to ensure that businesses were following government guidance and keeping their customers and staff safe.

A special team was pulled together and they visited 25 licensed premises over the weekend across Barking and Dagenham to ensure rules were being followed. Despite the majority being compliant, some advice was handed out to licence holders about their responsibility to ensure social distancing guidelines were being enforced. The police also did several visits over the weekend.

In addition, enforcement officers carried out 39 visits to residential properties due to noise complaints and closed down three parties including one in Oculus House, Barking, where there were approximately 90 people in attendance. Despite noise officers serving an abatement notice requiring the party to stop, it continued and officers worked closely with the police to finally shut it down and remove the DJ and party goers.

That was not all for the weekend as enforcement officers also handed out11 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to illegal street traders who were caught illegally trading in Barking Town Centre and three FPNs for littering.

Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “It was always going to be a tough weekend with the pubs and restaurants opening, but our enforcement officers have worked harder than ever to ensure the safety of our residents.

“Overall I think it was a very successful weekend and I would like to say a big thank you to businesses and residents for enjoying themselves but also following the government’s guidance.”