Plaistow South — Neighbourhood Policing Team

Neighbourhood Policing Teams are working closely with Newham General Hospital and partner agencies following intelligence relating to a suspected organised crime group (OCG) operating within the area. Officers have been made aware of a pattern of theft from motor vehicles, specifically targeting catalytic converters, affecting multiple locations. A number of incidents have been reported across: Newham General Hospital site Newham Leisure Centre Surrounding residential streets The consistency in location, method, and frequency of these offences suggests the presence of a coordinated and prolific group actively targeting vehicles within the ward. This issue has been identified as a developing neighbourhood priority, due to the financial impact on victims and the wider effect on community confidence. In response, officers are: Conducting targeted patrols in affected areas, including hospital and leisure centre sites Working in partnership with site security teams to improve prevention and reporting Gathering and developing intelligence to identify and disrupt offenders Engaging with the community to provide crime prevention advice and reassurance This proactive and partnership-based approach aims to disrupt offending, safeguard vulnerable locations, and reduce the risk of further offences within the ward.

Officers continue to implement a combination of high-visibility and proactive enforcement tactics to address the identified issue of catalytic converter thefts and disrupt suspected organised criminal activity. Current activity includes: Regular uniformed, high-visibility patrols at the identified locations, including Newham General Hospital, Newham Leisure Centre, and surrounding areas, aimed at deterring offenders and providing reassurance to the public Deployment of plain-clothes officers to undertake targeted operations, focused on identifying and intercepting individuals involved in vehicle crime Adjustments to officer shift patterns to better align with peak offending times, ensuring an effective and intelligence-led response Officers are also working closely with on-site security teams across the affected locations, developing intelligence and strengthening information sharing to support enforcement activity and identify those responsible. This coordinated approach is designed to enhance disruption opportunities, improve intelligence development, and reduce the occurrence of vehicle-related offences, in line with ward priorities to tackle organised crime and safeguard the community. Priority 2 PMP PMP/82945/24

Set: 2026-06-08

Wanlip Road / NewVic College New Vic College continues to present a persistent neighbourhood policing concern, with ongoing reports from residents relating to anti-social behaviour (ASB). This issue has become an emerging ward priority due to its sustained impact on community confidence and quality of life. In recent months, ward officers have identified a displacement of student activity to Wanlip Road, where individuals are congregating around a newly installed secure bicycle storage facility provided by the local authority. While intended as an infrastructure improvement, the location has inadvertently become a regular gathering point during college lunch breaks and other periods of downtime. This has resulted in a number of recurring ASB-related issues, including: Elevated noise levels and general disturbance, particularly during peak student periods Littering and environmental degradation in the immediate vicinity Large groups congregating, contributing to feelings of disorder and reduced reassurance among residents Reports of suspected drug possession and associated activity Furthermore, the issue has extended to vehicle-related anti-social behaviour in the surrounding area, particularly near the junction of Prince Regent Lane. Reports indicate that some students are: Parking vehicles irresponsibly or inappropriately, creating obstruction and enforcement challenges Using vehicles in an anti-social manner, including excessive engine revving and loud music Causing additional noise and disruption, further impacting nearby residents The combined effect of these behaviours is having a clear and detrimental impact on the local residential community, generating ongoing complaints and elevating concern within the ward. This issue has been identified as a key neighbourhood priority, requiring a coordinated multi-agency response involving neighbourhood policing teams, the college, and local authority partners. A problem-solving approach will be necessary to address the root causes, manage student behaviour, and reduce the overall harm to the community.

Officers are continuing to work closely with college staff and senior management to address the identified concerns and reduce the impact of ASB within the local community. A number of joint measures have been implemented, including: Targeted joint patrols involving neighbourhood officers and college staff during key times, particularly lunch periods and end-of-day egress, to deter ASB and provide reassurance to residents Ongoing high-visibility patrols, aimed at addressing emerging issues and maintaining a consistent presence in hotspot locations Robust internal disciplinary action by the college against students identified as contributing to anti-social behaviour Enforcement action in relation to vehicle-related ASB, including students who are parking in residents’ bays or using vehicles in an anti-social manner Daily patrols of the affected locations will continue for the foreseeable future, ensuring sustained engagement, enforcement, and monitoring of the situation. This coordinated approach supports the ward’s priority to reduce ASB, improve community confidence, and deliver long-term problem-solving outcomes. Priority 3 PMP PMP/82946/24

Set: 2026-06-08

With the onset of the summer months, there has been a notable increase in reported robbery and theft offences along the Greenway, particularly in the vicinity of New Vic College and Newham General Hospital. Neighbourhood officers have identified a pattern of offences involving: Theft of mobile phones Theft of pedal cycles Intelligence and incident reports suggest that offenders are utilising the Greenway as a transit route, both to identify potential victims and to facilitate swift escape following offences. The location presents opportunities for offenders due to its high footfall, proximity to key sites, and accessible routes in and out of the area, making it an attractive environment for opportunistic and targeted criminal activity. This issue has been identified as a growing ward priority, due to the impact on victims and increasing concern for public safety. A coordinated response is required to address offending patterns, increase visible policing presence, and disrupt criminal behaviour, ensuring the safety of those using the Greenway and surrounding areas.

Officers have implemented a range of targeted patrol strategies to address the increase in robbery and theft along the Greenway. Key activity includes: Deployment of cycle-trained officers conducting high-visibility patrols during identified peak times, aimed at deterring offending and providing reassurance to members of the public Plain-clothes patrols, supported by specialist proactive teams, focused on identifying, targeting, and disrupting offenders operating along the route Ongoing planning to deploy MPS Mounted Branch officers, who will conduct routine patrols along the full length of the Greenway across the BCU, subject to operational availability and abstractions This combination of high-visibility and covert tactics is designed to increase police presence, enhance disruption opportunities, and reduce robbery and theft offences, in line with ward priorities to improve safety and public confidence. Priority 1 PMP PMP/82944/24

Set: 2026-06-08