Barking and Dagenham Council continues to ensure that it prioritises the safety of people who live, work and commute in and across the borough and has recruited four more Community Safety Enforcement Officers.



The team, which launched last year, now consists of eight officers who will be operating from 10am to 10pm, seven days a week.



The team will be focussing on areas where residents have raised concerns about antisocial behaviour, such as Barking Town Centre and Dagenham Heathway and their role includes:



•    Patrolling the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) zones, engaging, educating and enforcing the PSPO Order 

•    Carrying out welfare checks on individuals while on patrols 

•    Providing support for members of the public when on patrol 

•    Responding to reports of antisocial behaviour 

•    Patrolling certain areas to assist the Police and council’s investigations



The council currently has three PSPOs in the borough and they all prohibit drinking alcohol in a public space, public urination, spitting, begging and groups engaging in behaviour which causes residents other users of the area nuisance, annoyance, harassment, alarm or distress.



Councillor Syed Ghani, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety said: “When our residents are going about their business around the borough, we want to make sure that they feel safe and have nothing to worry about.



“Our Community Safety Enforcement Team not only provide reassurance to residents but also take action when needed.”



Last year, the council launched a campaign to highlight the work it is doing to keep residents safe, and residents can find out more by heading to www.lbbd.gov.uk/saferbd.