Persistent work from the police and Barking and Dagenham Council officers has led to the arrest, charge and recall to prison for a troublesome individual. 

 

Joseph Meade Jnr has been causing disruption and annoyance to the residents of Digby Gardens with his anti-social behaviour, which included drug taking, harassment of residents, littering, shop lifting and the use of foul language. 

 

However, thanks to numerous joint patrols, evidence gathering and presentations at court from police and council officers, Mr Meade is now back in prison.

 

The joint work has seen Mr Meade being issued with a Community Protection Warning (CPW), Community Protection Notice (CPN) for breaching his CPW, which included conditions, such as not being in groups of three or more and successfully applied for two Partial Closure Orders in Digby Gardens, which prohibited him from visiting two addresses.

 

The Police Safer Neighbourhood Team from River Ward, along with the council, also successfully applied for a Criminal Behaviour Order, which included a power of arrest if he visited Digby Gardens and surrounding area.

 

However, on Thursday 14th January 2021, Mr Meade visited Digby Gardens and was subsequently arrested and charged with breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order and recalled to prison.

 

Councillor Margaret Mullane, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “This is another great example of partnership working between ward councillors, council officers and police.

 

“We take reports of anti-social behaviour and criminality very seriously and anybody found guilty, will be dealt with robust enforcement and criminal justice. I hope this result will bring a bit of relief and peace to the residents of Digby Gardens.”

 

Inspector Mel Baker, Lead for Barking and Dagenham Neighbourhood Policing Teams states “This is a great example of long-term problem solving and partnership working at its best with the local Safer Neighbourhood Team ward and the council. 

“The individual concerned has caused disruption to the local residents and surrounding areas and securing the five-year CBO at court was a great result.”