Hundreds in crime blitz (From Ealing Times)

Hundreds in crime blitz

4:55pm Wednesday 20th June 2007

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TWO hundred police and council officers hit the streets of Acton last week to battle anti-social behaviour.

The two-day blitz, the biggest event of its kind in the borough, resulted in 28 arrests including six for drug crimes and 12 for immigration offences.

Sixteen untaxed or uninsured cars were also seized as a part of a crackdown on car crime.

Paul Harrison, Ealing Council's head of community safety, said: "This successful event is the biggest multi-agency operation of its kind to be carried out in the borough.

"By combining our resources in this way we can tackle a range of anti-social behaviour in a co-ordinated way, improving community safety and cleaning up our streets."

The Safer Ealing Partnership (SEP) task force and representatives from 45 partner organisations took to the streets of Acton on Thursday and Friday last week.

Forty cars were stopped and 5,000 car number plates were checked as a part of an undercover police operation.

More than 1,400 free tamper proof tax-disc holders were provided for cars and 100 personal alarms were given to residents.

Officers also visited local schools to give 500 children anti-knife crime lessons.

Four hundred square metres of graffiti were removed as well as five tonnes of fly-tipped rubbish.

Inspector Colin Wingrove, of Ealing Police, said: "The activities undertaken in Acton last week are typical of the work the SEP carries out throughout the year across the borough to help reduce anti-social behaviour and help improve our communities for residents and visitors alike.

"The initiative highlighted what can be achieved when strategic partners coordinate their resources effectively to tackle issues such as graffiti, fly-tipping, abandoned vehicles, anti-social behaviour and the fear of crime.

"The vision of the SEP is that Ealing borough should be a place where people from all backgrounds and walks of life choose to live and work, where parents choose to bring up their families, less crime and where everyone can feel safe and protected.

"Taking part in a variety of different initiatives such as these partnership action days will help us achieve our vision."

During the two days there were also 35 London Fire Brigade and food safety visits made to businesses, 18 visits to licensed premises and four cannabis detections.

Anti-theft screws were fitted to 250 residents' car number plates and 191 people were stopped and asked to account for themselves.

Three penalty notices were issued for disorder.

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