Immigration officers target Cricklewood following reports of anti-social behaviour
POLICE and immigration officers arrested three people on Tuesday after swooping on Cricklewood as part of an ongoing battle against anti-social behaviour and illegal immigration.
Officers from the UK Border Agency, assisted by police officers from Brent, descended on Cricklewood Broadway, on the border of Barnet and Brent, following reports of groups of Eastern-European men loitering in the area waiting for offers of casual labour.
Two Algerian men were arrested by UKBA officers for entering the country illegally and are currently in detention pending their removal.
Brent Police arrested a Romanian man wanted on suspicion of grievous bodily harm.
A further 21 Romanians were arrested on suspicion of being immigration offenders. One man chose to voluntarily leave the country, while the rest were placed on immigration bail.
The operation between Brent Police and UKBA officers has attracted criticism this week, with witnesses claiming that spot checks at local tube and train stations have been targeting ethnic minorities.
However, a spokeswoman for Brent Police said the Cricklewood operation was prompted by residents’ complaints of anti-social behaviour.
“These groups have caused issues for residents such as loitering, noise pollution, intimidating women with inappropriate comments and littering,” she said.
Sergeant Rob Gibbs of Brondesbury Park and Mapesbury Safer Neighbourhoods team, said: “Police will not tolerate crime and anti-social behaviour in the area and will continue intensive activity working with partners to sustain reductions."
Immigration officers target Cricklewood following reports of anti …
