Hilldene traders under siege from rampaging gangs of youths are banding together with police and the borough council in a bid to turn the tide in the run-up to Christmas and the New Year.
Shops and businesses in Farnham Road have been issued with Citizens' Band Radio-style handsets following a spate of antisocial incidents.
These have included two recent stabbings on the Farnham Road parade, along with a run of vandalism at Harold Hill Library.
In addition, there have been numerous reports of eggs being shied at shop windows, passing cars, and people.
As a precaution, a ban on egg sales to children under 16 has now been imposed at the Farnham Road Co-op.
Woolworths branch manager Barry Caudwell told how his staff had been traumatised by the abuse directed at them by youths hurling stock around and starting play fights inside the store.
He said: "It's an ongoing problem - it will happen on a weekly basis and it's something that we obviously try to control."
Under the new scheme, staff at each of the shops taking part will be able to keep in touch and pass on warnings about potential problems, along with descriptions of suspected shoplifters and troublemakers.
Others in the loop will include patrolling members of the Harold Hill community policing team, and staff based at Havering Council's CCTV control office.
Pc Andy Fairbairn said the scheme - which has already proved a hit at other shopping centres such as Romford, Hornchurch and Upminster - had so far met with a lot of interest from Hilldene traders.
Published Friday, December 13, 2002
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