Arrests were made in Romford town centre as part of a special day of operations involving police and private bobbies.

Romford Business Improvement District (BID) held its first Day of Action on October 17, in a bid to tackle public safety.

The event aimed to inform and educate businesses, workers, and residents about various ways different safety organisations work together in the town and how the community can take steps to improve their own safety.

Businesses were asked about how they felt public safety could be improved and anti-social behaviour tackled.

A BID spokesperson said the findings and next steps will be shared in due course.

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Throughout the day, the Metropolitan Police and My Local Bobby were in the town monitoring and responding to anti-social behaviour.

"Some key arrests were made on the day, along with various crime related interventions," the BID spokesperson added.

The day involved businesses, police and Havering Council officersThe day involved businesses, police and Havering Council officers (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Havering Council enforcement officers engaged with several rough sleepers, offering assistance and accommodation support.

Council leader Ray Morgon said: “Days of action like this will enable us to be visible to residents and visitors in our town centres and speak to them, so we can help tackle the issues to make them feel safer.

“Our aim is to help make our town centres places for people to enjoy and feel safe, plus help our local businesses thrive.

“This action also sends out a message that we won’t tolerate anti-social behaviour and crime in our borough and will together take the strongest action against those offenders.”

Police Community Safety Officers had a stall outside Halifax and provided online safety tips whilst the public could also have "a cuppa with a copper" in Costa, South Street, where they were able to ask questions about safety measures and practices they could adopt.

Sgt Aaron Harris said: “Initiatives like this are excellent examples of collaborative working with local partners to tackle street violence and drug supply."

Patrols took place throughout the day in the town centre as well as The Liberty, Brewery and Mercury shopping centres.

Julie Frost, Romford BID director, said she wanted to hold the action day more regularly. 

“Town safety is the foundation of a thriving community", she added.