Enfield Council and the Metropolitan Police Service joined forces in a comprehensive programme to tackle organised crime and antisocial behaviour in Edmonton.
Drug dealing, soliciting, theft, robbery, burglary and antisocial behaviour were tackled head on in a joint offensive, following complaints from concerned residents and businesses in and around the Joyce and Snell’s Park estates.
The Metropolitan Police’s Operation Pisces took place on Friday 27 September and was supported by Council officers from across a wide range of services including licensing, housing, parking enforcement and street cleansing.
There were a number of positive outcomes that evening, with officers working together to rid the area of crime.
One significant success as a result of the joint operation was when an elderly person was saved from a ‘cuckooed home’. Cuckooing is when criminals take over the home of a vulnerable person to establish a base for illegal activities such as drug dealing.
A police officer saw two males acting suspiciously outside a vulnerable resident’s property. Police searched the suspects and discovered the resident was being cuckooed. One man was arrested for obstruction and a drug addict wanted for burglary, was arrested at the address of the cuckooed resident.
The vulnerable resident’s property was secured, and he was visited by professional adult social care carers and an alternative residence is being considered.
Elsewhere, nine Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) were posted on vehicles parked in restricted areas and on the footway of the estate.
A further five people were issued with Community Protection Warnings and three weapons including two knives were found and seized by police.
The Council’s street cleansing team swept both the road and pavements and removed several bags of dumped rubbish.
Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion and Enforcement at Enfield Council, Cllr Gina Needs, said: “Crime on the Joyce and Snell’s estate is a real concern for the Council and its residents.
“Whilst patrolling the estate with Council officers and police, I spoke to many residents. While we have some significant challenges ahead, some residents stated they had recently noticed a reduction in crime and antisocial behaviour.
“I would like to assure residents we will continue with our collective enforcement work in partnership with the Police and our community safety teams.”
Chief Inspector for Enfield Safer Neighbourhoods, Rob Gibbs, said: “Operation Pisces is the name for a sustained policing and partnership effort to address the problems on Joyce and Snell’s estate and more widely across Edmonton and Northumberland Park.
“The operation is part of the Clear Hold Build initiative where the police, council and community, aim to change the long-term issues. The evening has been successful, and I’m really pleased we’ve managed to disrupt some drug abuse and safeguard a vulnerable and exploited individual with the help of the Enfield Council.
“The police are focusing resources on the area under Operation Pisces, and I am pleased residents are starting to see some change. There is much more to do, and we will continue our efforts over the coming months.”
Operation Pisces also identified unregulated and unsafe private residential accommodation and over a dozen licensed and gambling establishments were visited.
The most positive outcome of the operation was the support shown by residents and local businesses, demonstrating a shared commitment to make a real difference in the area.
Residents are advised to report antisocial behaviour to the council and police.
In an emergency where there is an immediate threat to life, always dial 999. For non-urgent enquiries call 101, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Find out more about reporting antisocial behaviour here
Operation Pisces
Operation Pisces is multi agency programme which is focused on the Northumberland Park, Fore Street and Edmonton Green area.
Since the commencement of the Operation Pisces the crime profile for both the area and Enfield has seen significant improvements. The average daily crime in Enfield Borough has reduced from 146 crimes per day to 113 crimes per day, a 23% reduction since the start of the operation.
The three phases of the Clear Hold Build Programme are:
· Clear – to maximise police and partnership enforcement resources to tackle organise criminality and target those involved.
· Hold – To ensure that there are structures in place to resist organised crime form regaining a foothold, including emerging forms of organised crime group, seeking to exploit the opportunities created through the Clear phase.
· Build – Working with the local community, voluntary providers and retail sector to create a network of locally based services and facilities which enable local communities to take ownership of the area.