Plaistow South

Plaistow South Ward has recently experienced a number of concerning incidents involving young people becoming unwell after using vape devices suspected to contain controlled drugs, including synthetic cannabinoids (commonly referred to as Spice) and tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Subsequent enquiries indicate that these vape-style devices are being sold over the counter from a number of retail premises operating within the ward area. There are growing concerns that the products are being marketed and sold in a manner that does not adequately identify their contents, resulting in young people purchasing and using them without fully understanding the significant health risks associated with controlled substances.

The sale and supply of vape products containing THC, Spice or other controlled drugs presents a serious risk to public safety and may constitute offences under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, as well as other legislation relating to the supply of controlled substances and the sale of age-restricted products. Of particular concern is the potential accessibility of these products to children and young people, who may be especially vulnerable to the harmful effects of such substances.

A number of individuals have reportedly suffered adverse reactions after using these products, highlighting the immediate safeguarding risks posed to the local community. The potential for serious illness, hospitalisation and longer-term health consequences makes this an issue of significant concern for police, Trading Standards, public health partners and local residents.

As a result, joint investigations are currently being conducted by Plaistow South Neighbourhood Policing Team and Trading Standards to identify the premises involved, establish the extent of the offending and take appropriate enforcement action against those responsible for the sale and supply of controlled drug vape products.

This problem represents a significant community safety concern due to the risks posed to young people, the unlawful supply of controlled drugs and the potential harm being caused to the wider public. A coordinated problem-solving approach is therefore required to disrupt the sale of these products, protect vulnerable persons and reduce the associated risks within the community.

Plaistow South Neighbourhood Policing Team will continue to work jointly with Trading Standards, local schools, safeguarding partners and public health agencies to identify and disrupt the sale of vape devices containing suspected THC, Spice and other controlled substances.

Priority activity will focus on identifying retail premises involved in the supply of illicit products and pursuing appropriate enforcement action against those responsible.

Officers will continue to engage with affected schools, pupils and parents to raise awareness of the significant health risks associated with controlled-drug vapes, whilst ensuring appropriate safeguarding measures are in place for any children identified as having purchased or used the products.

The overall aim is to reduce the availability of illicit vape products, safeguard vulnerable young people, disrupt those facilitating their sale and increase community confidence through a coordinated partnership response.

Plaistow South Ward continues to experience a long-standing and complex problem relating to squatting, vulnerability and associated anti-social behaviour. The issue originated at the condemned Balaam Leisure Centre, where a large-scale squat had become established. Following a recent multi-agency eviction involving Police, the Local Authority, Animal Welfare and other partner agencies, in excess of 50 individuals were displaced from the premises.

Subsequent enquiries indicate that many of those displaced have relocated to an existing squat operating from a commercial building on Barking Road, adjacent to Plaistow Police Station.

Since the displacement from Balaam Leisure Centre, local residents have reported an increase in anti-social behaviour, low-level criminality, nuisance, environmental concerns and community safety issues linked to the addresses. The ongoing activity is having a detrimental impact on neighbouring residents and businesses and has become a persistent issue affecting the wider local community. A coordinated multi-agency response is therefore required to address the associated criminality, community harm, safeguarding concerns and underlying vulnerabilities contributing to the problem.

Plaistow South Neighbourhood Policing Team will work alongside the London Borough of Newham, Housing Services, Community Safety, Environmental Health, the Home Office and relevant outreach partners to address the ongoing issues associated with the squatted premises on Barking Road and surrounding locations. Priority activity will focus on identifying individuals residing within the properties, assessing vulnerabilities, developing intelligence and encouraging engagement with appropriate housing, welfare and support services.

The ward team will undertake regular high-visibility patrols and targeted engagement to address reports of anti-social behaviour, nuisance and low-level criminality affecting local residents and businesses. Where offences are identified, proportionate enforcement action will be considered alongside safeguarding measures for vulnerable individuals.

Partnership working will continue to address overcrowding, environmental concerns, community safety risks and any immigration-related matters identified through ongoing enquiries. Residents and local businesses will be engaged throughout the process to gather intelligence, provide reassurance and monitor the impact of interventions.

The overall aim is to reduce anti-social behaviour and criminality linked to the squatted premises, safeguard vulnerable occupants, improve the quality of life for local residents and businesses, and develop sustainable long-term solutions through a coordinated multi-agency approach.

Neighbourhood Policing Teams are working closely with Newham General Hospital and partner agencies following intelligence relating to a suspected organised crime group (OCG) operating within the area.
Officers have been made aware of a pattern of theft from motor vehicles, specifically targeting catalytic converters, affecting multiple locations. A number of incidents have been reported across:

Newham General Hospital site
Newham Leisure Centre
Surrounding residential streets

The consistency in location, method, and frequency of these offences suggests the presence of a coordinated and prolific group actively targeting vehicles within the ward.
This issue has been identified as a developing neighbourhood priority, due to the financial impact on victims and the wider effect on community confidence.
In response, officers are:

Conducting targeted patrols in affected areas, including hospital and leisure centre sites
Working in partnership with site security teams to improve prevention and reporting
Gathering and developing intelligence to identify and disrupt offenders
Engaging with the community to provide crime prevention advice and reassurance

This proactive and partnership-based approach aims to disrupt offending, safeguard vulnerable locations, and reduce the risk of further offences within the ward.

Officers continue to implement a combination of high-visibility and proactive enforcement tactics to address the identified issue of catalytic converter thefts and disrupt suspected organised criminal activity.
Current activity includes:

Regular uniformed, high-visibility patrols at the identified locations, including Newham General Hospital, Newham Leisure Centre, and surrounding areas, aimed at deterring offenders and providing reassurance to the public
Deployment of plain-clothes officers to undertake targeted operations, focused on identifying and intercepting individuals involved in vehicle crime
Adjustments to officer shift patterns to better align with peak offending times, ensuring an effective and intelligence-led response

Officers are also working closely with on-site security teams across the affected locations, developing intelligence and strengthening information sharing to support enforcement activity and identify those responsible.
This coordinated approach is designed to enhance disruption opportunities, improve intelligence development, and reduce the occurrence of vehicle-related offences, in line with ward priorities to tackle organised crime and safeguard the community.

Priority 2 PMP
PMP/82945/24