Though residents have said that Redbridge is becoming safer, reducing crime remains their top priority – 68% said this should be a spending priority for the Council when they were consulted on the 2006/07 Budget.

In response, we have a much higher uniformed presence in the Borough:  police officers, neighbourhood wardens, streetscene officers, the Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team and the new Parks Police.

Crime figures continued to fall in 2006/07, with the number of overall recorded crimes down from 25,000 to 15,000, assaults down by 13% and domestic burglaries falling by 7%.

More than 40% of residents said they see people using or dealing drugs as a problem which affects the safety of the Borough. Over 170 Council staff have been trained in safely removing drug users’ materials and residents are encouraged to report any found.

Tackling anti-social behaviour and nuisance remains a priority. Council tenants have been evicted for causing nuisance to their neighbours and the Council and Police joined forces to reduce anti-social behaviour in and around pubs and clubs.

The Youth Offending Team was rated in the top four in London for its work in preventing young people re-offending.

There were fewer deaths and serious injuries from accidents on Redbridge roads last year, with figures falling by around 20%.

However we still need to work hard to reduce crime, with figures for robbery, racial crime and vehicle crime remaining much the same as last year. We will do this by installing more CCTV cameras, further reducing the number of young people offending, providing a better response to noise nuisance and ensuring more drug and alcohol users are receiving treatment.

Residents can help by reporting any form of nuisance on 020 8708 5716 or 020 8478 4769 out of hours.

“We’ve worked well with the Council and the Police to reduce problems and implement the recent smoking ban which is good for business and the area.”

John Clark, Director of Faces nightclub in Gants Hill