A uniformed enforcement team with stab vests and body-worn cameras could be on the beat to tackle anti-social behaviour in Redbridge within two months.

The new team of 45 officers was given the go-ahead at Neighbourhoods and Communities Service Committee last night (July 1) at Redbridge town hall in Ilford.

At least 19 of the team will be CSAS (Community Safety Accreditation Scheme) accredited which gives them some police powers to issue on the spot fines and deal with issues such as fly tipping and littering. 

Cllr Dev Sharma, cabinet member for civic pride, said: “The team will be a visible and dedicated on-street presence to deal with anti-social behaviour.

“We will not tolerate nuisance in public places and I believe this team will be a significant deterrent.”

Lib Dem councillor Gwyneth Deakins said the team’s equipment and uniforms were “over the top”.

She said: “I am not convinced the need for all this, do they need stab vests?

“It could all look aggressive and have a negative effect on the atmosphere in the borough, leading to distrust in authority.

“Much of this work is already being done so I do not welcome this radical restructuring.”

But Labour councillor Paul Merry praised the work of the council in setting up the team.

He said: “There has been excellent work done on this.

“It needs to be done because we are moving out of the 1990s to a 21st century system.  

“It will be an intelligence-led team which will identify hotspots and target these areas.

“If Cllr Deakins wants to do enforcement work without safety gear such as a stab vest good luck to her.

“You can get stabbed on London streets for looking at someone.” 

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Redbridge town hall.