Key Points:
- Tower Hamlets launches £8 million Anti-Crime Task Force to enhance community safety.
- Council to nearly triple enforcement officers from 26 to 64 by 2026.
- 415 arrests made since April 2022 by council-funded police officers.
- New dog patrol unit and CCTV upgrades to improve Tower Hamlets crime detection.
- £895,000 invested in upgrading CCTV control room with digital technology.
- Community engagement initiatives introduced, including women’s safety walks and a mobile engagement bus.
- New out-of-hours noise protection service to start in summer 2025.
- Met Police welcomes collaboration, highlighting reductions in violence, robbery, and burglary.
Tower Hamlets Council has launched a new £8 million Anti-Crime Task Force to strengthen community safety efforts, making it the largest such investment by any London borough to date. The initiative, announced on February 13, 2025, significantly expands enforcement teams and introduces new crime prevention measures.
Mayor Lutfur Rahman, alongside Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury, Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs), and Metropolitan Police representatives, unveiled the plan at Altab Ali Park.
The new model will see THEOs work alongside 26 council-funded police officers, increasing visible patrols, tackling anti-social behavior (ASB), and ensuring public safety.
How is Tower Hamlets Increasing Enforcement Officers?
Tower Hamlets is nearly tripling its enforcement officers, increasing numbers from 26 to 64 by 2026. Fifty-four THEOs are currently in place, with an additional 10 officers being recruited.
Their impact since 2022 includes:
- 415 arrests by council-funded police officers.
- 29,500 patrol hours recorded in 2024.
- A 73% increase in uniformed patrols (December 2024 vs. December 2023).
- 96% rise in Fixed Penalty Notices issued (2,357 fines for ASB in 2024).
What New Crime-Fighting Measures Are Being Introduced?
The Anti-Crime Task Force includes several new crime prevention initiatives:
- Dog Patrol Unit: Conducting regular weapons and drugs sweeps in parks, open spaces, and estates.
- CCTV Control Room Upgrade: £895,000 investment to introduce a state-of-the-art LED video wall monitoring 42 cameras simultaneously.
- Digital CCTV Transformation: All 350 public cameras upgraded from analogue to digital, enhancing surveillance.
- Community Safety Van: Deployed weekly for residents to report concerns and seek crime prevention advice.
What Do Officials Say About the Anti-Crime Task Force?
Mayor Lutfur Rahman:
“At a time when many councils are cutting crime budgets, we are investing £8 million—more than any other borough—to make Tower Hamlets safer. This task force will ensure visible street presence, deter criminals, and reassure our residents.”
Cllr Abu Talha Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities:
“Crime and ASB affect our residents daily. This investment ensures we hold offenders accountable and create safer streets for everyone.”
James Conway, Detective Chief Superintendent, Metropolitan Police:
“This collaboration strengthens our neighborhood policing. Tower Hamlets has already seen reductions in violence, robbery, burglary, and increased domestic violence prosecutions. We will continue working together to reduce crime further.”
How is Tower Hamlets Engaging the Community in Crime Prevention?
The council is introducing several community engagement programs to raise awareness and improve public safety, including:
- Women’s Safety Walkabouts in all wards.
- Mobile Engagement Bus providing crime prevention advice.
- Out-of-hours Noise Protection Team launching in summer 2025.
How Does Tower Hamlets Compare to Other London Boroughs in Crime Rates?
Tower Hamlets remains one of London’s busiest boroughs with major attractions like Brick Lane, Canary Wharf, and the Tower of London.
- Crime rate in 2024: 111 crimes per 1,000 residents.
- 7% lower than the London average but 13% higher than the national average.
- Most common crimes: ASB (26.1 per 1,000) and violent/sexual offences (25.7 per 1,000).
- CCTV operators assisted in 581 arrests and helped locate 41 missing people since 2022.
