The Overview & Scrutiny Committee meeting on 16 February 2026 focused on the council's approach to tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB), the integration of enforcement services, and strategies to reduce reoffending among young adults. Key decisions included the endorsement of a new ASB policy, a review of integrated enforcement measures, and the adoption of recommendations to address reoffending rates among 18-25 year olds. The committee also noted a report on reducing road danger and deaths.

The Anti-Social Behaviour Policy

Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, presented the new Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) Policy, highlighting its importance in addressing resident concerns, which consistently rank crime and the fear of crime as a top priority. The policy aims to consolidate existing efforts, including a 24/7 ASB reporting line and increased enforcement officers. A key objective is to clarify responsibilities between the council and registered social landlords, and to provide a unified approach across borough services. Kiran Vagawao, Director for Public Protection and Integrated Services, emphasised the policy's role in ensuring synchronicity across services and outlining the council's duties under the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, the Environment Act, and as a landlord.

During the discussion, Councillor Jahed Ahmed raised concerns about the accessibility of information, noting that leaflets were predominantly in English and questioning what measures were in place to reach non-English speakers and the elderly. Councillor Chowdhury assured that Bengali and Somali literature were available, and that the council would translate communications into other languages if needed. He also highlighted the success of social media videos in Bengali and other languages, and the positive impact of increased communication on call volumes to the ASB reporting line.

Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury questioned the Equalities Impact Assessment (EIA) concerning young people, disabled residents, and minority ethnic groups, asking about safeguards to ensure proportionate and non-discriminatory enforcement. Councillor Chowdhury stated that responses are always proportionate and needs-based, and that the impact on particular groups is regularly reviewed.

Councillor Abdi Mohamed asked about the definition of success for the policy in 12 months' time and the feasibility of high expectations, such as responding to high-priority cases within one working day. Councillor Chowdhury envisioned success as residents understanding the difference between tenancy and ASB issues, and a reduction in more serious ASB through multi-agency work. He also acknowledged the ambitious targets and committed to monitoring performance against them.

Councillor Ahmodur Khan raised concerns from tenants' groups about the need for reference numbers for ASB reports and the experience of being put on hold with silence on the telephone line. Councillor Chowdhury acknowledged these as good suggestions and stated that reference numbers are internally held and could be shared with residents who provide contact details. He also committed to investigating the telephone line experience.

Councillor Mohamed further questioned how increased enforcement activity, such as more enforcement officers and CCTV, would drive meaningful long-term reductions in crime, given that notifiable offences had only reduced by 0.2% in 2025. Councillor Chowdhury explained that a public health approach, similar to that in Scotland, takes five to ten years to show significant change. He highlighted the importance of preventative investment in youth services and the recruitment of a detached youth team. He also noted that recent changes, such as the 24/7 shift pattern for enforcement officers, were still showing early results.

Councillor Harun Miah inquired about knife crime and other weapons, and Councillor Chowdhury reported a significant reduction in knife crime in Tower Hamlets, stating it was the highest reduction in London. He also highlighted the success of knife bins and the work of the detached youth team in encouraging knife surrenders.

Councillor Abdi Mohamed raised concerns about the helpline encroaching on police space, questioning at what point investing heavily in a helpline could become problematic. Councillor Chowdhury acknowledged the importance of safeguarding officers and relying on police for criminal matters, but also stressed the council's responsibility as a landlord to address ASB. Detective Superintendent Oli Richter confirmed that the council-funded police officers were a significant boost and that policing was also developing its own ASB policy, acknowledging that ASB had perhaps been deprioritised in the past. He stated that the one-day response target for high-priority cases was achievable from a policing perspective and that new structures were in place to ensure reports were screened by neighbourhood sergeants.

Councillor Ahmodur Khan asked about how the Town Hall Housing Forum would report to the council on ASB on their estates. Councillor Chowdhury explained that registered social landlords' performance, including on tenant satisfaction measures related to ASB, is reported quarterly to the Housing and Regeneration Scrutiny Sub-Committee.

Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury raised concerns about vehicle-related crime, specifically car break-ins on Poplar High Street. Councillor Chowdhury acknowledged these issues and stated that a multi-agency approach with the police was being taken, with a specific plan for the Poplar area. Detective Superintendent Richter confirmed that theft from and of vehicles were core neighbourhood crimes, and while the overall trend in Tower Hamlets was down, specific hotspots were being addressed.

Councillor Ahmodur Khan echoed concerns about car window smashing in Blackwell Way, requesting increased CCTV. Councillor Chowdhury agreed to investigate the situation in Blackwell Way and noted that the council-funded drug squad, which targets prolific ASB offenders, could also impact vehicle offences.

Councillor Abdul Waheed concluded the discussion by emphasising the importance of reviewing the policy annually and ensuring residents understood when to call 999 versus the ASB line.

Integrated Enforcement

Councillor Abu Talha Chowdhury presented the report on Integrated Enforcement, highlighting the aspiration to integrate various enforcement services into one directorate. This integration, which began in April 2025, brings together environmental enforcement, Tower Hamlets Enforcement Officers (THEOs), trading standards, food safety, and licensing teams. The aim is to leverage the diverse powers of these officers and create a more responsive and effective enforcement service. He noted that an internal audit on Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) had identified inconsistencies in how different teams issued them, and the integration aimed to standardise these approaches.

Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury questioned a reported 6.5% increase in violence against the person offences in Tower Hamlets, stating it seemed higher than the London average of 3.3%. Councillor Chowdhury acknowledged the discrepancy and stated it was an error in the report that would be corrected.

Councillor Abdi Mohamed inquired about the governance surrounding the use of the council's CCTV systems for facial recognition by the police, expressing civil liberty concerns. Kiran Vagarwal, Director of Public Protection, stated that the Met Police were pursuing facial recognition independently and that no requests had been made to the council. However, she assured that any requests would require strong governance, compliance with RIPA, and independent assessment by council officers.

Councillor Ahmodur Khan raised concerns about vehicle idling and asked if THEOs could enforce this. Councillor Chowdhury stated this was a matter that could be taken away for investigation, noting that a pollution team within the directorate also carried out operations.

Councillor Amy Lee asked about a previous concern raised regarding the value for money of council-funded police officers, and how this had been resolved. Councillor Chowdhury explained that the previous concern related to officers specifically designated for housing estates, and that discussions had addressed this, ensuring no reduction in the provision of council-funded police officers. He highlighted that Tower Hamlets has one of the largest teams of council-funded police officers in London. Detective Superintendent Oli Richter added that the relationship between the police and the council had significantly improved, with aligned priorities leading to better collaboration.

Councillor Jahed Ahmed asked for specific examples of crime reduction resulting from the fortnightly Precision Crime Fighting Meetings. Councillor Chowdhury provided an example of a successful operation in Chris Street Market, which involved coordinated patrols, CCTV deployment, and injunctions against drug users, resolving a long-standing issue.

Councillor Abdi Mohamed praised the relationship with the police regarding data sharing and asked for an assessment of this relationship. Councillor Chowdhury stated that the council was in a good position, with a unique information-sharing protocol between the police, probation, and the council on individuals, which was not replicated elsewhere. He highlighted the success of the drug squad, which had expanded its focus from a top 30 to a top 50 list of offenders. Detective Superintendent Richter concurred, emphasizing the benefit of the local authority's funding for police officers and the alignment of priorities. He also acknowledged the need to improve intelligence sharing at a ward level, particularly regarding ward panels.

Breaking the Cycle on 18–25 Year Olds Reoffending Rates

Councillor Abdi Mohamed presented the scrutiny report on breaking the cycle of reoffending among 18-25 year olds. He highlighted that this cohort is particularly vulnerable, with high reoffending rates driven by complex needs such as housing insecurity, unemployment, substance misuse, and fractured support networks. The report's eight recommendations aim to improve data quality and shared intelligence, develop an integrated 17-25 youth-to-adult model, create a youth voice and lived experience leadership framework, rebalance towards early intervention and diversion, establish a reoffending prevention fund, expand navigation and outreach, grow culturally competent provision, and tackle digital harms.

Councillor Gulam Kibria Choudhury strongly supported the recommendation for an integrated 17-25 model, emphasizing the cliff edge effect when young people transition from youth to adult services. He also stressed the importance of trauma-informed practice, noting that this term is often used as a buzzword without genuine implementation.

Councillor Mohamed agreed on the need for an integrated model and highlighted examples from other boroughs and organisations like One Glasgow. He also acknowledged the need for investment and realistic implementation plans.

Councillor Ahmodur Khan noted that the recommendations were intensive and would require significant funding, but acknowledged the report's value and the need for careful consideration of mechanisms for implementation. He also inquired about the timeline for taking the report to the Cabinet. Councillor Mohamed reiterated the need for investment, particularly in revenue services, and highlighted the potential for early intervention to save money in the long run. He cited the example of Glasgow's success in reducing reoffending through integrated approaches.

Scrutiny Challenge Session: Reducing Road Danger and Deaths

This item was for noting purposes. Councillor Natalie Bienfait, Scrutiny Lead for Environment and Climate Emergency, introduced the report, which followed a scrutiny challenge session on road safety. The report makes eight recommendations, including increasing the ambition and clarity of the road safety plan, rebalancing road space to prioritise vulnerable road users, investing in infrastructure, strengthening enforcement, prioritising interventions near schools, ensuring a full Equality Impact Assessment, engaging residents, and emphasising modal shift. The committee noted the report and agreed to submit it to the Mayor and Cabinet for an executive response.

Scrutiny Leads Updates

Councillor Abdi Mohamed reported on a meeting with the One Glasgow team regarding their approach to tackling reoffending. Councillor Ahmodur Khan shared his experience visiting the Customer Call Centre, noting areas for improvement. Councillor Abdul Mannan mentioned that the Young Mayors Team would be attending the Children's Scrutiny Sub Committee. Councillor Natalie Bienfait reported on a recent highways visit.

Any Other Business

Councillor Jahed Ahmed suggested that recommendations from the hate crime reporting work, such as making Idea Stores community centres for hate crime reporting, could be integrated into the ASB policy.

The meeting concluded with thanks to all participants and the announcement of the next meeting on 23 March 2026. Councillor Abdul Waheed wished everyone a good Ramadan Mubarak.