ENVIRONMENTAL CLEAN UP BEGINS IN CATFORD TOWN CENTRE

Over the past few weeks, police officers from Lewisham have been out tackling some of the areas biggest problems.

With the effectiveness of the section 35 dispersal powers and the increase in visible foot patrols, the team at Rushey Green Safer Neighbourhoods continue to solve one of Lewisham's toughest areas. Joined by staff from Lewisham Councils Environmental Enforcement team, officers and council workers collaborated recently in a joint effort to abolish environmental issues that contribute to crime in the area or allow people to commit crimes out of sight.

Milford towers parking garage was a first stop for the team. This location is used for fly-tipping, drugs use and for homeless to get off the main roads. Officers and Environmental enforcers came across mountains of fly-tipped rubbish, some of which with names on thrown out delivery parcels. The teams also found old abandoned vehicles, some of which had signs of used drug tools and damage left behind by vagrants breaking into the abandoned vehicles. One vehicle in particular which officers have focused on recently was sealed shut in an attempt to see if anyone tried to enter the vehicle again. After 1 to 2 hours officers returned to find some of the tape already tampered with, with someone also attempting to re-tape the car. 

The Broadway behind the theatre was the next target for officers with intelligence of this location being a common drug dealing location, and the location of weekend antics and street drinking, officers searched the location and with success found a stashed cigarette box full of around 6 to 7 bags full of cannabis. Officers also were able to find environmental damage caused by street drinkers, stacking old glass beer bottles in drain pipes and holes in the wall. Police officers have now opened an investigation looking into drug dealing in the area. 

With this collaborative work, both the Metropolitan Police and local Lewisham council were able to identify the environmental problems that contribute to people committing crime in Catford and will continue to work in partnership to improve the safety and security for businesses and homeowners.