Dawn raids kick off the third phase of partnership activity between Tower Hamlets Council and Police in Operation Continuum.
Raids last week in Bow saw large amounts of money and drugs seized by police officers. These raids were followed up by a weapons sweep in the area.
Prior to last week’s activity, over the previous 10 days arrests were made in the Bow area for offences including possession of weapons, burglary, possession and supply of Class A drugs and GBH.
A knife related operation also resulted in 18 arrests (including five for carrying an offensive weapon), and the seizure of knives, £1,000 cash, two stolen vehicles, approximately 1kg of cannabis and approximately 200 wraps of class A drugs.
These results build upon the impressive successes of Operation Continuum since its launch last year, which has seen concentrated activity in Shadwell and Stepney resulting in:
- 64 arrests for drug trafficking/possession.
- 172 anti-social behaviour warnings.
- £47,000 cash seized.
- 83 people given drugs, alcohol or housing support.
Operation Continuum has brought together Tower Hamlets council and police with other key partners, such as Tower Hamlets Homes and other landlords, to use our combined powers to disrupt crime and criminals’ profits.
The council is also working with residents to follow up reports of anti-social behaviour; providing youth workers to support young people with help and advice and signposting people to advice and support services for drug treatment.
DCI Mike Hamer of Tower Hamlets Police said:
“Operation Continuum is an ongoing response to local community concerns regarding drug crime and anti-social behaviour. Our joint operations in Bow have built very effectively on previous partnership activity and they underline our resolve to tackle, interrupt and disrupt criminals in our area.”
Chief Executive of Tower Hamlets Council, Will Tuckley, said:
“Actively and collectively working to tackle drug dealing and the problems it causes is the very core of Operation Continuum. We work with and for the community to make neighbourhoods safer and ensure that our front line work supports young people, those with dependency issues and residents at large: residents who have told us that they are concerned about the negative impact drugs have on our area.
By sharing intelligence, Tower Hamlets council and the police prove that an issue which has an impact upon the whole community can most effectively be tackled by that same community working together. We look forward to continuing our work and making our borough even safer.”
-Press realise
