Success for Charter Security as sniffer dog patrols help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in Tower Hamlets

Residents in Tower Hamlets have praised a project that has helped to reduce crime in their neighbourhood – and Charter Security played a vital role in its success. The ‘Dealer a Day’ programme sees Charter Security working with Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers and Partnership Task Force (PTF) police officers to combat drug dealing and anti-social behaviour in an initiative led by the local authority.

Sniffer dogs and general patrol dogs are being used to detect a variety of items, including potential weapons and drugs, in response to residents’ concerns.

A pilot began at the end of 2013, and was so successful it has been extended into an ongoing project. The project has achieved extremely positive results, disrupting numerous drug deals and detecting and seizing several quantities of cannabis. Recent raids have led to the seizure of heroin, cocaine and cannabis with a street value of over £6,000.

Regular patrols combat the problem at source, helping to disrupt and prevent drug deals taking place. The dog patrols target high risk areas during what would be considered ‘peak’ drug trading / anti-social behaviour hours. Six tower blocks formed the pilot area, which has now been extended to fifteen. Stairwells of Tower Hamlets Homes managed properties are regularly visited and patrolled and dogs are also used in open areas such as greens.

Trevor Kennett, Head of Enforcement Services at Tower Hamlets, said: “I know that residents want the council, police and our partners to work together to stamp out drug dealing and bring drug dealers to justice, and these latest patrols with Charter’s dog handling services are part of our continuing efforts to do just that.”

Charter Security, which is part of Grosvenor Services, has an impressive client list covering the commercial, construction and corporate sectors, including Balfour Beatty, The Corporation of London and Network Rail. Services include manned guarding, keyholding, alarm response, concierge and front of house, control room and CCTV, mail room, dog handling, event and personal security to successfully protect the assets of countless private and public sector organisations.

Robert Hanratty, Operations Director for Charter Security, said: “We are proud to have played such a key role in this project. It shows how successful partnership work between public and private sector organisations can produce excellent results – in this case a marked reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour.”

For more information, please visit www.charter-security.co.uk, call +44 (0) 208 507 7717 or email info@charter-security.co.uk

About Charter Security

Charter Security, part of Grosvenor Services, is firmly positioned among the most respected security companies in London and the South East. The company employs local and fully-trained Security Industry Authority (SIA) specialists who have attained the most demanding standards and accreditations, and offer a unique range of security services.

Charter has unrivalled expertise in manned guarding, key holding, alarm response, concierge and front of house, control room and CCTV, mail room, dog handling, event and personal security. This enables them to successfully protect the assets of countless private and public sector organisations.

About Grosvenor Services

Established in Ireland in 1959, Grosvenor Services is a family-owned and run facilities services company with operations throughout Ireland, the UK and the USA. With over 50 years’ experience, they provide corporate businesses in a range of sectors with the highest possible levels of service, as their many accreditations demonstrate. Family ownership ensures a personal commitment to each and every client, and this commitment to quality and lasting customer relationships is at the heart of everything they do.

For more information on Grosvenor Services, visit www.grosvenorservices.com, call +44 (0) 207 072 0934 or email enquiries@grosvenorservices.com

Published in various security magazines and sites