Petition details
CCTV on Gill Street
Three Colt Street and Gill Street near the health centre have long been a hotspot for drug dealing. This leads to late night noise, drug use and violence.
An incident on Commercial Road on 22nd July led to blood being spilled all down Three Colt Street. In October 2020 a drug related stabbing took place on the road. This led to intervention from the police, council and partners to tackle the issue.
Temporary CCTV was installed which helped the problem, but since its removal the issue has crept back. Roche House bin stores have become a hotspot for drug dealing and use this summer.
This Petition ran from 12/08/2022 to 30/09/2022 and has now finished.
43 people signed this Petition.
Council response
Thank you for attending Full Council on Wednesday 5 October 2022 to
present your petition. I am very sorry to hear about the
anti-social behaviour and drug dealing that is impacting on your
quality of life and that of your neighbourhood. I am providing a
written response as requested by Council.
I understand the history and I am aware from Council officers that a deployable CCTV camera has previously been employed in the environs of Gill Street. I am pleased to hear it had a positive impact. I am advised that this was when there was a very specific location that was being used for vehicle borne drug dealing. I am further advised by our CCTV specialist that, Gill Street itself does not easily lend itself to CCTV camera installation due to the tree lined street obscuring much of the camera operator’s view. I am aware the service is exploring alternative options for deploying new CCTV cameras in the ward where feasible and legally justifiable. This will include the use of the new CCTV mobile vehicle to the area, with additional signage warning people they are being watched
In the meantime, to help and provide deterrence, ongoing patrols in the area are taking place involving our Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs) and our Council funded Police Officers. The THEO teams are now area based and the team covering this area are working closely with your local police Safer Neighbourhood Team to ensure there is maximum high visibility cover in this area.
I am advised that those buying drugs have been identified. We are working with local hostel staff and the police to take action against those involved in criminality. The police will be taking law enforcement action against those selling drugs and causing harm in the area. Our outreach services continue to visit the area and engage with known local drug users here too, encouraging them to take up the extensive range of drug treatment support offers available.
I hope this clarifies the action the Council has taken at this point in response to the anti-social behaviour and drug dealing in your area. This work, in collaboration with the Police is ongoing as outlined above.
Please do not hesitate to contact me if you need any further
clarification.
Yours sincerely
Denise Radley
Corporate Director of Health, Adults and Community