POLICE cannot afford to wait until something “terrible” happens to a child, before they crack down on rising anti-social behaviour, opposition politicians have warned.

Last September Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) were introduced in South Woodford and Woodford Green to tackle street drinking and anti-social behaviour after months of problems “made residents’ lives hell”.

But despite a similar application for a PSPO in Wanstead and Snaresbrook, ward councillors were refused one due to a “lack of evidence of anti-social behaviour”.

One year on councillors have launched a fresh campaign lobbying Redbridge Council and the borough police force for a PSPO in Wanstead to address the “dramatic” recent increase in problems along the high street.

Conservative Cllr Colin Cronin said: “When you look at the sheer volume of complaints we have been getting from residents, anyone can see this merits real police action.

“There are PSPOs in place in the high streets either side of Wanstead in South Woodford, Woodford Green and Leytonstone.

“So what we’re seeing is the problems in those areas being displaced and ending up here in Wanstead High Street.

“People are being drunk and disorderly, young people are being followed home – we cannot afford to wait until something terrible happens to a child before something is done about this.”

In recent weeks Cllr Cronin and his Snaresbrook ward colleagues Sue Nolan and Chris Cummins have received several complaints of anti-social behaviour in and around the high street.

One resident claimed they “witnessed a couple ‘copulating’ in the phone box at the High Street junction with Woodbine Place, when walking past with her toddler.

Another said: “One evening at around 6pm a man followed my 14-year-old daughter and her friend along the high street.

“He then approached them asking if he could walk with them and wanted to know where they lived.

“The girls became afraid and had to seek help in the hairdressers.”

Parents have also expressed major concern after reports of a man exposing himself to children in the public toilets in Woodbine Place on July 15.

London Assembly member for Havering and Redbridge Keith Prince has echoed his Conservative colleagues concerns.

He said: “These worrying incidents only serve to demonstrate the need for a PSPO in Wanstead.

“Do we have to wait until someone is murdered before something gets done?

“All the surrounding high streets have PSPOs, so why don’t the people of Wanstead deserve the same level of protection?”

A spokesman for Redbridge Borough Police replied: “I am aware that concerned residents have recently reported a couple of incidents.

“Clearly the nature of those incidents is very worrying and we are following them up.

“In relation to the matter of PSPOs, a local authority may make an application if there is evidence of persistent or continuing unreasonable behaviour as part of a range of tactics police will use if the circumstances are appropriate.”

But Redbridge Council says there are “currently no plans” for a PSPO in Wanstead because “intelligence shows levels of crime and anti-social behaviour are relatively low and do not warrant such action at the moment”.

A spokesman for the council added: “The council’s enforcement team keep a watching eye on all areas of the borough including this particular area of Wanstead, and where any issues to arise, they move to tackle them quickly.

“The police and community safety officers have already agreed to focus extra enforcement in the area and use licensing laws to tackle issues highlighted by the campaign.”

After both authorities rejected their application, councillors are urging people to sign their petition and report any concerns to the police and the council.

Cllr Cronin said: “The only way we are going to get a better police presence to tackle these issues on Wanstead High Street is by reporting them.

“This is a very emotive issue, particularly with parents, so I would implore all residents to report incidents as soon as they see them, so we can get something done.”

To sign the petition, see the website.