Residents complain about open drug use on High Road Leyton while shopkeepers regularly deal with violence and theft, reports Josh Mellor, Local Democracy Reporter

Shopkeepers and residents in Leyton have complained that police are not doing enough to tackle aggressive begging, theft and open drug use along High Road Leyton.

Several businesses on High Road Leyton say their staff are subjected to frequent thefts and sometimes violence if they confront people causing issues in their shop.

One business owner told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) a man asking for money smashed his glass display case when he was asked to leave last month.

The owner, who asked not to be identified for safety reasons, said the police could not be “bothered” to attend after the incident last month, despite being offered clear CCTV footage of the suspect.

He added: “They are becoming more and more aggressive.”

Café manager Sonia said she has had “lots of problems” with three stolen tip jars and people aggressively asking customers for money or cigarettes.

She added: “It’s intimidating, recently someone inside the café started arguing – I asked them to move on and one pushed me on the shoulder… then the other guy started kicking the door.”

“It’s affecting the area, I have customers that say they are moving from the area.

An open letter reportedly signed by more than 1,500 residents and business owners has warned the situation is now at a “crisis point” with a risk of a “vigilante situation” if the authorities fail to act.

It said dealing users “openly smoking and injecting drugs”, theft and aggression are having a “huge negative impact on the community”.

It added: “The overall picture is more like San Francisco or 1980s Bronx than London – and for many long-time residents of Leyton and London, the worst they have ever seen, even when compared to other boroughs considered to be suffering ‘worse’ issues.

“We have met with local councillors and the police on numerous occasions over the course of the last year and have been promised action to tackle these issues.

“To date, the response from the police, council and local political leadership has not been good enough – and the situation continues to deteriorate.”

Residents told the LDRS they are aware of at least three specific addresses where drug dealing takes place, alleging that an address on the High Road signalled it was to be “open for business” by leaving its window open.

Some residents have taken to sharing videos and images of people openly smoking drugs on social media, including on the steps of Leyton Library.

The library is metres from Leyton’s Great Hall where Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley promised better community policing at a meeting to launch his “New Met for London strategy” in August this year.

When contacted for comment, a spokesperson for the Met initially said they were not aware of issues on the High Road and could only comment on specific reports of crime.

However, the Met’s senior officer overseeing Waltham Forest and Newham, Simon Crick, later released a statement saying he is “extremely concerned” about crime in Leyton.

He added: “I have been contacted personally by several members of the public and I have implemented a robust policing plan to address the concerns raised.

“My Neighbourhood Policing Team officers are working in partnership with the local authority and other agencies.

“Local residents will see an increase in both visible and plain-clothed patrols in the area.

“I have also instructed officers from our Violence Suppression Unit and called upon the assistance of the Territorial Support Group to help tackle this problem.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Crick’s team said the Met has a long-term strategy for the area, first implemented on 5th September, that will combine “robust enforcement” with diversionary support for offenders.

However, they refused to release further information about the policing plan, saying they have provided “sufficient details”.

Waltham Forest’s cabinet member for community safety Khevyn Limbajee said the council is “very much aware” of concerns about drug use in Leyton.

He added: “We have been working very closely with the police and I am very pleased officers are stepping up their response to this criminality. 

“We will continue to work in partnership with police colleagues as they develop and implement the plan.

“This will include ensuring that our CCTV capabilities are utilised; ensuring that substance misuse treatment and advice is proactively offered to vulnerable drug users; and addressing nuisance”.

“We ask that residents continue to report drug dealing to the police via the non-emergency number 101 (in an emergency please call 999).

“This will ensure that this information can be used to target both patrols and enforcement action.”

After the statement was released, the Met released a further comment via local MP John Cryer saying local police would use Leyton’s Great Hall as an “ad hoc policing base”.

A police social media channel for Leyton also posted photographs of an officer fixing signs warning about theft and fines of £100 for persistent anti-social behaviour.

Waltham Forest Council staff also appear to have pinned signs to some benches offering support and treatment for drug users.

If you have more information on this story please contact [email protected]

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