No Place for Hate Pledge Individuals taking the No Place for Hate Pledge commit themselves to preventing negative attitudes, combating and speaking out about prejudice, discrimination and injustice. for more information visit www.amp.uk.net Moving forward The Metropolitan Police began working with independent advisors in response to the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. News News in brief Recruitment drive THE borough’s police watchdog is looking to recruit more members. Tower Hamlets Police Independent Advisory Group provides the police and residents the opportunity to discuss any local issues or concerns. The police are keen for more young people to consider becoming an independent advisor to help officers better understand the needs of the borough’s youth communities. If you live, work or study in Tower Hamlets and are interested in joining or would like to find out more about the role, go along to an open evening at 6 pm on Wednesday, January 22 at Bethnal Green police station, 12 Victoria Park Square, E2. To RSVP or for more information contact the chairperson Sarah Castro at iagrecruitment1@ outlook.com Young people take a pledge to stamp out hate crime YOUNG people took a step forward to stamp out hate crime by signing up to the council’s No Place for Hate Pledge. The event was organised by the council at Mile End Ecology Pavilion as part of a wider scheme, which identifies the various ways young people can get involved with tackling the different forms of hate crime, in addition to exploring their own attitudes and perceptions. Over the next few months training on the impact and consequences of hate crime will be delivered in all the borough’s secondary schools and youth centres – encouraging them to sign up to the pledge. Speaking at the event last month, Young Mayor Mahdi Alam said: “My deputies and I are fully behind this scheme. I am proud to live in such a diverse and multi-cultural borough and this scheme shows we are at the forefront in the fight against hate crime.” Mayor Lutfur Rahman added: “We will not tolerate any form of hate crime and I am proud that Tower Hamlets is No Place for Hate.” Cabinet member for children services Cllr Oliur Rahman said: “Hate crime is a serious business. Anyone who is a victim or witnesses of hate crime, whether it’s down to their race, faith, sexual orientation, gender, age or disability, must report it to someone in authority.” For more information visit www.amp.uk.net Operation Nookle is hailed a success BY POPPY TURNER A CRIME-busting operation targeting known gang members in Tower Hamlets has been hailed a success. Operation Nookle, which ran between October and December last year, led to 127 arrests – including 14 known gang members –228 stop and searches (117 of whom were known gang members) and the seizure of £15,000 in cash. The operation, carried out by council-funded police officers with Trident gang command, represents a structured and targeted approach to tackling offenders involved in organised gang activity. Uniformed and plain-clothed officers with specific knowledge of gangs used detection methods such as automatic number plate readers, drug dogs and warrant executions in the operation by councilfunded police teams. 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.” Deputy Mayor 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.” The Partnership Taskforce is made up of 34 police officers funded by the council, and six officers funded by the police. Their activities are directed jointly by the council and police. New app will help with car buying process THE council’s trading standards team are encouraging residents to use a new app as part of their checks when buying a used car. The Car Buyers Guide app provides information and checklists needed when buying a used car including MOT evaluations, things to look out for and legal rights. Funded by the National Trading Standards Board, the app emphasises the importance of completing thorough checks before buying a used car. In conjunction with MOT checks, consumers should check the reputation of the seller and legal status of the car. 6 – 12 JANUARY 2014 N E W S F R O M T OWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 9
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