Police Surge Across Havering as Officers Target Crime Hotspots in Coordinated Blitz.

As part of Op Yamzee, neighbourhood officers carried out a major high-visibility day of action across Havering on Monday 15 December, targeting crime and anti-social behaviour in areas identified through local intelligence.

Officers joined forces with a wide range of partners including the local authority, drug detection dog units, CCTV operators, Havering Council’s Community Safety Team, the Havering Joint Task Force, the Safer Transport Team and Street Duties Officers. The coordinated operation saw a strong police presence on the streets, designed to disrupt criminal activity and reassure residents.

Activity throughout the day included uniformed and plain-clothed patrols, knife screening and a community weapons sweep in Central Park, Harold Hill. Safer Transport Team officers were also deployed in Elm Park, patrolling the 252 and 365 bus routes. They carried out Community Road Watch activity and confirmed no issues were identified during their deployment.

Children and Young People officers attended Koru Independent AP Academy at the end of the school day, where a knife screening device was used. More than 20 pupils were screened, with no weapons detected. The results provided reassurance to students, staff and parents. School staff thanked officers for their proactive engagement, highlighting the positive impact of the ongoing partnership in tackling weapons and serious youth violence and promoting awareness among young people.

Weapon sweeps were carried out in multiple locations with the support of Parks Police, ward panel members, local councillors and members of the community. During additional searches elsewhere, officers recovered a throwing knife.

Drug dog deployments led to five stop and searches. One individual was arrested for possession with intent to supply cannabis, which resulted in two premises being searched. A further individual was dealt with for possession of cannabis. Officers also responded to concerns from residents and businesses about an aggressive beggar, who was issued with a Community Protection Warning before later being arrested for theft from a charity container. The individual remains in custody.

The Havering Joint Task Force carried out mobile patrols, leading to four further stop and searches and one Penalty Notice issued for cannabis possession.

Inspector Connolly told the Havering Daily:
“The day of action was part of a pre-arranged policing plan to support various areas across Havering targeting ASB (anti-social behaviour) and drugs. This co-ordinated day of action as a result of policing intelligence led by local teams to support the local community. Elm Park is one of several areas across Havering which has seen some isolated incidents across the last few weeks. I would encourage the community to sign up to www.metengage.co.uk to receive local updates from your local team of officers.”

The operation underlines Havering Police’s continued commitment to visible policing, partnership working and taking decisive action to keep local communities safe

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