Police Christmas safety operation finds man with knife concealed in buttocks

Police in Redbridge have been running Operation Concord in Ilford Town Centre in a bid to protect Christmas shoppers from anti-social behaviour.

Overt and covert police teams have been patrolling the areas around the shops on the High Road and near the railway station to crack down on drug dealing, shoplifting and pick pocketing.

Police say an increase in footfall in the town over the Christmas period means they are directing more of their resources to keeping the public safe.

So far, the Operation, which will run for a couple of weeks, has seen one man arrested with 22 bags of herbal cannabis on him and charged with possession with intent to supply.

Another man, Kevin Tshoma of Glouster Road, was found with a 12cm lock knife concealed between his buttocks and charged with possession of a weapon.

Mr Tshoma will appear at Barkingside Magistrate’s Court on January 7 2014 for a pre-sentence report.