South Bank BID’s proactive partnership with police officers from the Waterloo & South Bank Neighbourhood Team continues to show results.
The South Bank BID Security Manager, Umer Khalid, regularly joins joint patrols as part of our close working partnership with the local police Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT).
This week, while engaged in a joint patrol with PCs Husen, Osman and Beale, the SNT officers supported by our Security Manager intercepted a group of three people riding illegal e-bikes suspected of involvement in phone thefts, one of whom was found to be in possession of a dangerous weapon.
Umer Khalid explains, “After over 22,000 steps covered in five hours across the footprint, we were heading back to call it a day, then a call came in regarding a phone snatch nearby. Three males on e-bikes matched the description as they went past us and then stopped to have a chat. On approach, they attempted to make off. All three were very quickly taken off their bikes and detained”.
A search resulted in the recovery of an offensive weapon leading to an arrest, in addition to offences relating to an illegal e-bike which is believed to be capable of reaching speeds of up to 60mph.
North Lambeth Police Inspector Darren Watson praised the work of the officers and thanked our South Bank BID Security Manager Umer for the continued support.
“This outcome highlights the team’s ongoing commitment to disrupting criminal use of illegal e-bikes and e-scooters, preventing theft-related offences and keeping residents, workers and visitors safe. It also demonstrates the value of our partnership with South Bank BID and the effectiveness of joint patrols in identifying risks early and tackling emerging crime trends”.
