Last week, the council’s funded police team joined the borough’s Community Safety Enforcement Officers as they patrolled areas with known antisocial behaviour, including Barking Town Centre, Sunningdale Avenue and Dagenham Heathway.
During the patrols, several street drinkers were challenged and as well has having their alcohol seized, they were issued with Antisocial Behaviour Warning Notices.
The council and police have made it clear that if people are seen drinking alcohol on the borough’s streets again, they will be arrested and brought before a court.
Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “We know that some areas in the borough are key hotspots for antisocial behaviour and we don’t want anyone to feel anxious about going out and about because of these people.
“We’ve built a strong relationship with the police, and we will continue to work closely with them through regular joint patrols, sharing information and identifying repeat offenders.”
The council currently has three Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in Barking Town Centre, Dagenham Heathway and Broad Street in Dagenham, which prohibit people from:
- Drinking alcohol in a public space
- Public urination
- Spitting
- Begging
- Groups engaging in behaviour, which causes residents and other users of the area nuisance, annoyance, harassment, alarm or distress.
Residents can find out more about the PSPOs by heading to www.lbbd.gov.uk/community-safety-and-crime/public-spaces-protection-orders-pspos