East Area Gangs Unit host fantastic football tournament to celebrate Future Youth Zone’s birthday.

Well done to officers from East Area Gangs Engagement Unit led by Detective Sergeant Josh Ranghel who took part in another successful football tournament at Future Youth Zone in Dagenham to celebrate their third birthday last Friday 20 May.

Officers and local youths played football matches as part of a tournament hosted at the venue to enable the community to positively engage with officers and each other.

Under the MPS Operation Momentum, a Met Wide initiative to reduce knife violence and robbery, the local East Area Gangs unit engaged with the staff and young members to enjoy one of the regular football tournaments hosted at Future to further build relations between the police and the local community to show it’s not all about stop and search and prosecution, but building a trust to work together in reducing serious crime within the young community.

Detective Sergeant Ranghel told the Havering Daily:”Events such as these enable the community to engage with one another and the terrific staff members whose time and dedication helps the police to reduce serious violence within the local area.

“Future Youth Zone provides fantastic facilities for local youths who were on top form leaving us bottom of the table, trophy less and nothing but aches and pains to remember the occasion!

“A huge thank you to Future,Sam Short and his staff and Jo Richardson school for their hospitality and we very much look forward to returning for the next event.”