AN event saw police and council officers give residents advice on how to lower the risk of becoming victims of crime.

Freebies including personal alarms, purse chains and timer switches were handed out in the town square, Walthamstow, last Wednesday.

A police recruitment drive was so successful that officers ran out of forms.

The event also featured a parade by Waltham Forest Police Cadets, which has the second largest unit in London.

Chief Inspector Claire Wynnick, head of partnerships at Waltham Forest Police, said: "This event shows that police in Waltham Forest are here to make public spaces safe and to work with the whole community to reduce crime.

“When I went to the Town Square I saw people of all age groups speaking to police officers and our many partners about personal safety or getting information from the local authority departments or charities who were taking part.

“Crime in the High street area is one of our top priorities.”