Partnership Taskforce in action against Gangs

A crime-busting operation targeting known gang members in Tower Hamlets – carried out by council-funded police officers in partnership with Trident gang command – has been hailed a success.
Operation Nookle, which ran between October and December 2013, led to 127 arrests including 14 of known gang members, 228 stop and searches (including 117 of known gang members) and the seizure of £15,000 in cash.
The operation represents a structured and targeted approach to tackling offenders involved in organised gang activity in Tower Hamlets.
In the operation, officers with specific knowledge of gangs, both uniformed and plain clothed, used detection methods such as automatic number plate readers, drug dogs and warrant executions.
Detective Inspector Henry Akhigbe of the council-funded Partnership Taskforce, said: “Gang activity and disorder will not be tolerated by the Metropolitan Police Service, and we will take action against those who cause alarm or distress in their communities, using the full range of civil and criminal powers available to us to tackle offenders. We not only enforce and prosecute those involved but we also invite members of gangs to interact with police in an effort to divert them from a life of crime and prison.”
Lutfur Rahman, Mayor of Tower Hamlets, said: “In June I launched the second phase of the Partnership Taskforce, specifically to focus their attention on tackling vice and gang-related crime. Community Safety is one of my top priorities and this success shows that my investment is making a tangible difference in keeping our streets safer.”
Deputy Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Cllr Ohid Ahmed, said: “Our team of officers is sending a strong message that we will not tolerate crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough, and is helping to ensure a good quality of life for residents.
“I know crime and anti-social behaviour remain key issues, and I want to give residents the opportunity to talk to me directly about their concerns. That is why I am in the process of visiting every ward in the borough, alongside our police partners, as part of the second round of community safety walkabouts.”
The Partnership Taskforce is made up of 34 police officers funded by the Mayor of Tower Hamlets, and six officers funded by the police. The team is directed jointly by the council and police.
If you have any information regarding these issues please call the Police on 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously. In an emergency call 999.