A new police hub has opened in Woodford to help tackle crime.
The hub provides a base for safer neighbourhood officers, with authorities saying the aim is to improve their response to crimes such as anti-social behaviour, theft and vandalism.
The initiative is a result of a partnership between the Met Police and Redbridge Council, with the force calling the new facility "innovative".
The council agreed to provide the space and pay for the setup of the hub, ensuring officers are stationed within walking distance of their wards.
Previously, officers were based around 20 minutes' drive away due to a streamlining of the Met’s estate.
The hub, which was officially opened by Met Police commissioner Sir Mark Rowley and council leader Kam Rai on January 30, will accommodate up to 20 officers covering six wards.
The initiative is part of the Met's mission to deliver the strongest ever neighbourhood policing, which has already seen an additional 500 officers dedicated to communities across London.
Councillor Rai said: "The new hub in Woodford is a prime example of how London boroughs can proactively play a vital role in bringing policing back into the communities they serve."
The strategic location of the hub is expected to significantly reduce the current travel time from Ilford, giving officers more time for local patrols and tackling issues.
The opening of this hub comes after the Met was moved out of special measures due to the progress made in fixing the foundations of the organisation.
Part of this progress is based on the work to deliver better neighbourhood policing across London.
The new neighbourhood policing model has been strengthened by an additional 500 staff, ranging from superintendents to police community support officers.
There has been an almost 13 per cent reduction in the number of offences in the previous 12 months across Redbridge, including fewer reports of violence, drug offences, and violence against women and girls.
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