Limehouse Ward Sergeant Andy Holdsworth has recently transferred from The Met to a Northern Constabulary. His work here has been outstanding and we wish him well. His replacement is Acting Sergeant Adrian Grant-Thompson, his team remain unchanged. Adrian can be contacted by email adrian.l.grant-thompson@met.police.uk The Safer Neighbourhood Team can be contacted on either limehouse.snt@met.police.uk or mobile 07407489771. In case of an emergency always call 999.
The latest Ward Panel Meeting was held virtually on the 25th of February. Crime remains low in Limehouse in comparison to other areas of the borough. Anti-Social Behaviour remains an issue, particularly in relation to people using nitrous oxide canisters and the detritus that they tend to leave behind. Cycle thefts from underground car parks and unattended parcel thefts remain an issue.
Promises & Priorities for the next three months were agreed upon. Acting Sergeant Grant-Thompson and his team will concentrate their resources as follows.
Priorities:
· Anti-social behaviour in Three Colt Street and the immediately surrounding area.
· Patrolling the recently renewed and extended Public Space Protection Order which was extended to include Milligan Street.
· Anti-Social Behaviour around Horseferry Road including the area above The Limehouse Link tunnel.
Promises:
· Wherever possible include a patrol of Rich Street, Wharf Lane & the riverside decking at the rear of Old Sun Wharf.
E-scooters are back in the news and alongside that comes the confusion over their legality, what changes have been made and the powers that officers have to deal with them. It is not illegal to purchase or own one of these vehicles, it is illegal to use them on public roads, footpaths, parks and other public places.
What changes have been made to Government legislation? The Government announced new legislation last year which set in motion plans for e-scooter trials. This will see rental scooters become available in areas across the UK, including London. These rental scooters will be legal for use on roads in London and will have a limit of 15.5mph and be docked for collection and drop off. They will be easily identifiable and be run by specific, yet to be confirmed, companies. All other e-scooters that are bought by members of the public will remain illegal in public places.
What offences might you commit riding an e-scooter? Like a motor vehicle, e-scooters must comply with various Road Traffic Legislation, like any other vehicle on the road. Offences include but are not limited to:
Driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence
Driving/Riding with no insurance
Driving/Riding other than on a road
What is The Met’s Operation Hornet? Operation Hornet, the safety operation around e-scooters has now been around for more than a year. Since last year the Met have seized 268 devices and given out 604 warnings. The intent of Operation Hornet is to deliver a graduated response to the use of these vehicles.
What powers do officers have surrounding e-scooters? “Powered transporters” fall within the legal definition of a motor vehicle under the Road Traffic Act 1988. Therefore, the rules that apply to motor vehicles, also apply to e-scooters.
For use on the road, an e-scooter must have insurance, be riding on a road, be taxed and the rider must have a driving license. As such, police powers include:
A Fixed Penalty Notice for no insurance, with a £300 fine and 6 penalty points
A Fixed penalty Notice for no driving license, up to £1000 fine and 3-6 penalty points
A provisional date for the next Limehouse Police Ward Panel is Tuesday 25th May 2021 - TBC