Residents in one Ilford street got a rude awakening this morning as the first Redbridge Council enforcement action day took place.

Officers tackling issues around anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping, rubbish, graffiti, street cleaning and parking were joined by police in the joint operation, targeting Oaklands Park Avenue.

The initiative is the first of a planned year of enforcement action, with the council bringing departments together under a new joint action group.

Cllr Ross Hatfull, cabinet member for community safety and enforcement, said: “This sort of joined up, very visible, in you face enforcement action is extremely important.”

He said the authority wanted to “stamp down very hard” on those flouting regulations.

“This is the first of what I hope will be a number of operations that will really show the fresidents that Redbridge is really taking enforcement seriously and making a difference.”