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Enforcement officers from Barking and Dagenham Council have been out in force shutting down a number of businesses operating illegally in the borough despite government guidance asking them to close during the coronavirus lockdown.  

During a planned operation, enforcement officers identified and shut down nine businesses operating when they should have been temporarily closed down.  

The businesses ranged from vape shops, beauty suppliers and hand car washes to scrap metal yards.  

Barking and Dagenham Council is asking for your help to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus.   

Following the latest guidance from the government, a number of businesses should now be closed for the foreseeable future to make sure we’re doing everything possible to stop this virus spreading.  

Local resident, Hamza Sharif is now a qualified plumber and in full employment following contact with the council’s Job Shop.

Hamza had always wanted to be a plumber and first approached the Job Shop aged 15, but as he was too young, he was signposted to the Technical Skills Academy where he completed a Level 1 in Plumbing. 

Barking and Dagenham council and local social sector launches a coordinated project to support vulnerable people and harness local goodwill during global coronavirus pandemic.

A project called BD CAN – which stands for Barking and Dagenham Citizens Alliance Network, has officially launched in the borough today (23 March 2020) to help co-ordinate community support for local people affected by coronavirus, but it’ll be bigger than that – it will also be one of the key places to go for anyone who wants to help others during the pandemic. 

Residents across Barking and Dagenham looking for work and training opportunities are being encouraged to take part in the Job Shop ‘Registration Week’ which takes place from Monday 16 to Friday 20 March. 

Staff and councillors who know or work with residents looking for work are being urged to direct them to the council’s job shops at Barking Learning Centre or Dagenham Library, Monday to Friday from 9.30am to 4.00pm. Residents can walk in and do not have to book an appointment.

Barking and Dagenham’s sixth annual Women's Empowerment Month officially kicked off at Barking Town Hall on Friday 6 March, with a host of inspirational guest speakers and performances.



The launch featured Polly Neate CBE, Chair of The Barking and Dagenham Domestic Abuse Commission, Zahra Ibrahim, Director of Excel Women’s Centre, and Jessica Soares Paim, The Young Mayor.

A schoolteacher has been fined almost £20,000 for selling counterfeit replica premier league football kits and Calvin Klein brief sets. 

Mrs Bobbi Ehsan of Loxham Road, Chingford was caught by Barking and Dagenham Council enforcement officers during a routine visit to Dagenham Sunday Market on 17 June 2018.   

In total, enforcement officers seized 381 fake replica football kits and Calvin Klein brief sets.  

A rogue landlord who was originally jailed in February last year, has now been convicted under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.   

Siddarth Mahajan, of Milton Crescent, Ilford, was last year sentenced to 12 weeks in jail for falsifying documents in an attempt to prevent enforcement action relating to houses in multiple occupation (HMOs).   

A pupil at Trinity School, in Dagenham, has been awarded a mini trampoline by the Charles Ronayne Foundation.

Oscar Birch, who is seven years old, was born with a visual impairment as well as severe learning difficulties. Following a marked improvement in his mobility, Trinity School contacted the Charles Ronayne Foundation to secure funding for a mini trampoline he could use. The trampoline can be used in class to help further develop his balance and motor skills.

Local hero Artan Mahmood, who recently saved a child from an attack by a dog, has had his bravery recognised by being honoured with a Leader’s Recognition Award from Councillor Darren Rodwell, Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council.

The incident for which Mr Mahmood was given the award saw him save his neighbours’ six-year-old son from a vicious dog attack in November, with no regard for his own safety.

The student Mr Mahmood saved, Arjun, is a classmate of one of Mr Mahmood’s own children.