Police pledge crackdown

POLICE in Redbridge are cracking down on crime with a brand new initiative called Operation Coral.

Officers, working in partnership with Redbridge Council, will concentrate on hot spot areas for robbery. By using disruption tactics combined with high visibility patrols the police have been successful in reducing the level of robberies across the borough.

The operation has already resulted in over 30 arrests not only for robbery but for drugs possession and apprehending people wanted on warrants previously issued by the court.

Operation Coral has been set up for the past three weeks and is an ongoing initiative. It has already resulted in an eight per cent reduction in since April.

Deputy Borough Commander Superintendent Bryan Horsley wants the streets of Redbridge to be free from the fear of street robbery.

He said: "Operation Coral seeks to turn the fear back onto the criminal. Working in partnership with the council the first phase of the initiative has seen some excellent results. Operation Coral should be seen as another positive step towards making Redbridge one of the safest boroughs in London."

Linked to the Coral initiative, the police also have a response car called Operation Diamond. The vehicle is permanent and responds to robberies as they happen. The car will pick up the victim straight away and drive around to help them identify the robbers.

Operation Coral is supported by Crime Prevention Week in Ilford town centre, which has been taking place since Tuesday and will run until Saturday.

Police will be available at the town centre between 2pm to 6pm to give advice on crime prevention and to put ID marks on personal property.

15:50 Thursday 25th July 2002

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