Not just any old coats Every coat produced by London Tradition is hand-finished. The process demands skill and experience and the company has a team of craftspeople –most of whom live in Tower Hamlets. see below Cab crook forfeits £11,000 BY STAFF REPORTER AN unlicensed minicab driver, who earned £11,000 while touting, has forfeited his earnings, following a police investigation. Mustafa Ahmed, 28, of Saxon Road, Bow, was convicted of touting in 2009 and had his Private Hire Vehicle licence revoked by Transport for London. In October 2012 he came to the attention of the Metropolitan Pol i c e S a f e r T ransport Command’s payback unit after he was identified as continuing to operate as a minicab driver, even though his licence had been revoked three years earlier. He was arrested in November 2012 on suspicion of money laundering after he was found in possession of £5,000. A further £13,000 was seized after officers searched his home address. Police began civil proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act against Ahmed, as they believed the money was earned while he worked illegally. Last Wednesday, April 23 at Westminster Magistrates’ Court, police successfully argued that £11,000 of the money seized was the proceeds of touting, which resulted in the court ordering it to be forfeited. ■ Police advise residents to never approach a minicab on the street or accept a fare – they are acting illegally if they pick up passengers without being booked, even if they are licensed by Transport for London. Only black cabs can pick up passengers without a booking. When travelling by minicab, always book with a licensed operator and when it arrives, check it is for you by getting the driver to confirm your booking details. Always sit in the back. To get local minicab numbers text CAB to 60835 Visit www.tfl.gov.uk/cab wise for more information on the Met’s cabwise campaign. Queen’s Award for Bow coat company Fire caution plea LONDON Fire Brigade is asking people to take steps to prevent fires during industrial action planned by the Fire Brigades’ Union over the bank holiday weekend. Strike action over pension scheme reforms is due to take place on Friday, May 2 between noon and 5pm; Saturday, May 3 between 2pm and 2am; and Sunday, May 4 between 10am and 3pm. There will also be a ban on voluntary overtime from 3pm on May 4 until noon on Friday, May 9. London Fire Commissioner Ron Dobson said contingency arrangements would be in place although members of the public are urged to take extra care to prevent fires from starting. These include checking your smoke alarm to make sure it works, planning an escape route and taking extra care when cooking or smoking. Only dial 999 in a genuine emergency. Steer clear of rogues To get local cab numbers text CAB to 60835. For more information on the Met’s cabwise campaign visit... www.tfl.gov.uk/cabwise News News in brief Tube strike called TRANSPORT trade union the RMT has called five days of strike action in response to plans to modernise the Tube. If the strikes go ahead, services are likely to be affected from 9pm on Monday, April 28 until midnight on Wednesday, April 30. A second walkout is also planned from 9pm on Monday, May 5 until Thursday, May 8. Visit www.tfl.gov.uk/future tube for further information about how the Tube service is affected. Workers’ tribute CONSTRUCTIONS workers killed or injured at work will be remembered at an event this Monday, April 28. Held on International Workers Memorial Day, it will include wreath laying at the building workers’ statue, next to the Tower of London. The event will start at 10.30am. New drugs helpline A NEW free telephone helpline has been launched by the council for residents having problems with drugs or alcohol abuse. It will operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year and callers will be offered crisis advice and information about support services. The freephone number is 0800 389 4442. Continued from page 1 Mr Huson added: “The Queen’s Award is a significant achievement for London Tradition and our whole team. “We are proud of being part of the revival of Britain’s long-standing heritage in clothing manufacturing. “Being able to carry the Queen’s Award emblem will attract new customers and strengthen our position as a leading British heritage brand.” As well as attending a palace reception in July with the Queen in recognition of the award, London Tradition will be hosting a ceremony at their premises to receive the Queen’s Award trophy from one of her majesty’s representatives. The awa rd i s g iven o n t h e advice of the Prime Minister, who is assisted by an advisory committee including representatives of government, industry and commerce. Rob Huson and Mamun Chowdhury, in their factory and design studio Field of ten in the race to be mayor TEN candidates are standing for the post of mayor of Tower Hamlets in the elections on May 22. Nominations closed last Thursday, April 24 for the elections for mayor, the council and the European Parliament. A total of 204 candidates are standing for election as one of 45 councillors, for the 20 new wards in the borough. Seventeen parties registered their interest for eight London region members of the European Parliament. The full list of candidates can be found at www.tower hamlets.gov.uk ■ There is still time to register to vote – the deadline is Tuesday, May 6. For information on postal and proxy votes, see page 9. 28 APRIL – 4 MAY 2014 N E W S F R O M T OWER HAMLETS COUNCIL AND YOUR COMMUNITY 3
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