The councillor responsible for environment and safety in the borough has been out on the beat with a new police squad.

Cllr Shoaib Patel visited the community police team, which is part-funded by Redbridge Council, at Valentines Park last week.

The squad of 12 police officers went on the beat for the first time last month as a replacement to the disbanded parks police team, which was also council-funded.

Cllr Patel, said, “This is a team of real police officers with full policing powers and they are doing a tremendous job keeping our parks and open spaces safe.

“You can see from their achievements how incredibly successful the team have been. We are fully committed to making Redbridge a hostile environment for criminals to operate in whether it is in or out of parks.”

Residents in Valentines Park, off Cranbrook Road, praised the new police team.

Inga Bekisa, who was at the park with her daughter, said: “I see the police here all the time now.

“I come to the park twice a day and I feel safe bringing my daughter here.”

Since its launch the team has enjoyed much success, including arresting a man for indecent exposure in Hainault, returning a missing dog to its owner and arresting a whisky thief.

Outside the park they have also helped closed down unlicensed alcohol and food shops.