New summer nights project to tackle crime in borough

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Pic: Tower Hamlets

An innovative summer evening scheme – based on a successful project in the United States- designed to unite communities and reduce crime and anti-social behaviour during school holidays has been launched in Tower Hamlets by the borough council and local police.

The Summer Night Lights project started  at the beginning of the month and will continue until September 6 and is designed to provide a community focus at peak offending times for younger people.

It will consist of 18 events, such as wall-climbing, fairground games, graffiti projects and dance classes, all of which will also serve hot food. Details about dates, times and venues of some of them are listed below.

The idea has been inspired by an American project, where it was originally launched in Los Angeles. In the US, the police had identified peak offending times on holidays and scheduled activities for these periods that would cater to everyone. The programme has proved to be successful within areas of the US following a significant drop in the number of violent crimes.

Mayor of Tower Hamlets, Lutfur Rahman, believes the borough can achieve the same results. He said: “We’ve been working hard with our partners to develop a series of events that not only builds community cohesion but allows us to work together in reducing crime and disorder.”

He added: “Each event has been strategically placed over the six week summer period and runs between hours identified as peak offending times. By doing this we are able to encourage positive participation amongst our whole community with free family events.”

A number of people have been working with Tower Hamlets Council’s youth services in the process of planning these activities. The group consists of the police, victim support and various voluntary sector organisations.

Chief Inspector Mark Long,  in charge of local neighbourhood policing, said: “We will have local police officers on-site and available to talk to residents on any police related matters such as anti-social behaviour or crime issues.”

“The officers will also be taking part in the organised community events throughout the evening and we will have some of our equipment and support services on show to demonstrate the complexity of policing today.”

The scheme is currently being piloted in seven London boroughs with the aim of evaluating and developing the project before potentially rolling it out across the capital.

All events are free and booking is not needed. More information can be found on the borough’s website.

BIGLAND GREEN PRIMARY SCHOOL
Bigland Street, E1 2ND

Friday 1 August 4-10pm
Saturday 2 August 4-10pm
Sunday 3 August 4-10pm
For more information call Asik Miah on 07817 222 042

ROPEWALK GARDENS
Christian Street, E1 1NL

Friday 8 August 4-10pm
Saturday 9 August 4-10pm
Sunday 10 August 4-10pm
For more information call Asik Miah on 07817 222 042

LINCOLN ESTATE
Linc Centre, 70 Fern Street, E3 3PR

Thursday 14 August 4-10pm
Friday 15 August 4-10pm
Saturday 16 August 4-10pm

Thursday 21 August 4-10pm
Friday 22 August 4-10pm
Saturday 23 August 4-10pm
For more information call Shabul Miah on 07940 978 798

COLLINGWOOD ESTATE
Collingwood Hall, Collingwood Street, E1 5RT

Thursday 28 August 3-8pm
Friday 29 August 4-11pm
Saturday 30 August 2-8pm

Thursday 4 September 4-10pm
Friday 5 September 4-11pm
Saturday 6 September 2-7pm
For more information call Noor Uddin on 07961 898 339​

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