Police took part in a day of action in a crackdown on begging in a town centre last week.

In an effort to tackle begging in Ilford town centre, Redbridge officers spent a day tackling the issue on September 21.

The Ilford town centre team identified High Road in the town centre as an area of persistent begging and related anti-social behaviour causing issues for local businesses and residents alike.

Begging is a criminal offence and is believed to be linked to other criminal activity such as drug dealing.

Using CCTV cameras in the council's control room, beggars were located and officers directed to speak to them about their anti-social behaviour they were causing.

Those spoken to were also offered advice and directed to further support.

One man was arrested and two men summonsed for begging.

PC Carl Repper, of Redbridge Police, said: "Our work was about stopping begging in the town centre.

"We received a number of complaints that it was having a negative impact on how the town centre was viewed.

"Tackling begging and anti-social behaviour will show people that Ilford town centre is not a place where it will be allowed."

Redbridge Police said it would carry out further days of action across the borough.