Today I participated in a weapons sweep with Police Team Romford Town. As Met Police volunteer we can apply to take part in any public events organised by police like
- weapons sweeps
- surveys
- bike marking
- leaflets
- patrolling
As civilian volunteers for Neighbourhood Watch, we are not permitted nor insured to conduct patrols without police officers being present.
We can, as Neighbourhood Watch members organise litter picks, which are very effective and help you to feel you regain ownership of your area, once ASB caused a problem or you feel crime is rife.
A litter pick can also find dangerous substances. You may find drug paraphernalia, items, which could be used as weapons, stolen goods, drugs, knives, other items that could be used as weapons.
It’s much easier to deal with this when police are present, as we can straightaway alarm an officer, who has an evidence bag with them. Today I found in a park, used also as car park a dangerous item of metal, which has been adopted to make a dangerous weapon. It was leaning against a tree. I alarmed the officer who took a photo.
You might think it’s just a harmless piece of rubbish but that metal pipe can cause serious damage and why was it in this area in the first place? There is no building site nearby. My colleague and also volunteer, found wedged behind a sign in a car park, this screw driver. Why did someone put a screw driver behind a sign in a car park stairwell?
Those two items were bagged and taken away.
If you find items, which are immediately dangerous like a knife, to call 999 straightaway. Other items can be bagged and taken away with a report to police being made afterwards.
If you find drug paraphernalia that is a matter for the Council to know. If you find ampuls, spoons, syringes, tell the Council, as this will show them where users congregate. It is the council’s responsibility to keep your area, free of used syringes etc.
To help as Community based Police volunteer apply here.
We are planning to establish more litter pick groups in Tower Hamlets. Contact us if you wish to help your area. See below a group established in Island Gardens.
Island Gardens
Syed Ali’s group came across this vandalised tree and cleaned up the area. Shame about that tree.
Tower Hamlets Neighbourhood Watch Association (THNWA) 