Pic: Tower Hamlets Council. 

More than 100 people were arrested over eight months in Tower Hamlets by police working on a task force targeting drugs and anti-social behaviour in the borough. 

The task force, which saw extra police resources dedicated to tackling these issues, carried out more than 8,000 hours of patrol and was funded by the council. 

From April to December last year, officers on the task force initiated 560 stop and searches, confiscated 52 vehicles, accomplished 60 nitrous oxide seizures and issued 155 anti-social behaviour warnings. 

Of the 126 people arrested, 46 were arrested for drug-related offences. In total, officers engaged with 560 drug users and referred 62 people to drug addiction recovery services. 

Acting Chief Inspector Dave Hodges, Tower Hamlets Neighbourhoods, said in a statement released by the council: “Drugs ruin lives and fractures local communities. Our Partnership Task Force (PTF) is a perfect example of how the Police and Local Authority are working together to create a community-based approach to crime-fighting and address the crime concerns of our communities. 

We will continue to tackle ASB hotspots and support those most vulnerable in society through the use of these multi-agency approach.” 

In the same statement, Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury, cabinet member for safer communities, said: “Our residents have told us that drugs and ASB is a real concern for them, which is why we have made it one of our priorities. 

“This partnership between the council and police is just one way we are dealing with this. We have had a £4.4m investment in community safety, which included £1.6m additional investment in policing and £2.3m to recruit more Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers. 

“We will continue to crackdown on drug dealers and those who are causing a nuisance through their anti-social behaviour.”