Police stopping a vehicle as part of Operation Road Sweep

Police and the council seized weapons, counterfeit medicine and stopped vehicles as part of a crime crackdown in Dagenham.

Police and the council seized weapons, counterfeit medicine and stopped vehicles as part of a crime crackdown in Dagenham.

Operation Street Sweep, a joint initiative between the local authority and police, last Wednesday focused mainly on Heathway and Church Elm areas and included truancy patrols, test purchases, licensing and health and safety visits to late night refreshment vendors, betting shops and pawn shops.

Officers also carried out high visibility patrols of streets, estates and parks and stopped mini-cabs to check their licenses.

Four arrests were made, and dealers who buy metal and second hand goods were checked for paperwork and record keeping compliance.

Seizures included five weapons, one bottle of counterfeit tequila, 312 boxes counterfeit medicines, 51 counterfeit lighters.

Chief inspector Richard Goodwin said: “It is very important for the community that licensed premises are run in a responsible manner that takes into account the best interests of local people as a priority.“

“Street Sweep incorporates highly visible, robust and spontaneous enforcement action across streets, parks and businesses.”