Multiple arrests made as part of council crackdown
Barking and Dagenham Council has secured a closure order and regained possession of a council property as part of a crackdown on antisocial behaviour.
The town hall’s antisocial behaviour team worked alongside the Metropolitan Police to investigate concerns at properties in Cartwright Road in Dagenham and Icehouse Court in Barking, where residents had reported criminal activity, intimidation and persistent antisocial behaviour.
At the property in Cartwright Road, officers responded to reports of individuals repeatedly attending the address and causing concern to local residents. During a joint visit by police and council officers, several individuals wanted by police were identified and arrested.
The tenant reported that the same individuals had continued to force their way into the property and make threats towards him. In response, the council and police applied for and secured a partial closure order through the courts, restricting access to the property and enabling further enforcement action. Several further arrests have since been made.
In a separate case at Icehouse Court, a council tenant was found to be using their property for drug-related activity, generating serious antisocial behaviour that affected other residents living in the block. The property had also suffered fire damage.
Following legal action by the council, a full closure order was granted, the tenant was removed from the property and arrested, and the council subsequently secured outright possession of the home.
Syed Ghani, the council’s cabinet member for enforcement and community safety, said: “We will not allow council properties or residential addresses to be used for criminal activity or behaviour that causes misery for neighbours.
“These cases show that when concerns are reported, we will work closely with the police and our partners to investigate, take enforcement action, and protect our communities.”
