Crime

Council leaders have hailed the success of a new £1.8m CCTV system, which has helped police break up fights, tackle suspected drug dealers and even prevent a potential suicide attempt since being launched last month.

A new control room, from which police and council staff can monitor and control up to 200 cameras across the borough, was introduced with much fanfare in the middle of December.

Police have been given new powers to confiscate alcohol from drinkers in Heston and Lampton parks in a bid to crack down on booze-fuelled crime.

The two parks, together with surrounding streets, will become controlled drinking zones (CDZ) from February 15.

An alcoholic has been banned from entering any bookmakers in Hounslow after he attacked staff at the Tote in Staines Road, Hounslow.

Fortune Moyo sunk seven cans of lager on a July afternoon before going into the bookmakers, where he disturbed gamers and abused staff. He was asked to leave but when one member of staff went outside later to take a break, the 37-year-old attacked him and punched him twice on the shoulder.

Burglars posing as cops have been preying on elderly residents in Hounslow and Isleworth.

Crooks struck at two homes in the space of an hour last Tuesday, each time getting away with an unspecified amount of cash.

A man was found hanging from a tree in Lampton Park, Hounslow, on Tuesday.

The 59-year-old was discovered by a police community support officer at about 11.50am.

An irate driver battered a man over the head in front of stunned shoppers during a row over parking outside ASDA in Hounslow.

The 29-year-old victim was holding a space for a friend on Wednesday last week at about 12.30pm when a white van driver tried to park there, nearly running him over.

An unlikely crime-fighting force could be about to hit the streets in a bid to tackle Hounslow's growing gang culture.

Police hope to sign up worshippers from churches across the borough as part of a 'Street Pastor' scheme, which has already proved a big hit in other parts of the capital.

A cannabis factory has been discovered in the middle of a quiet Hounslow street.

Police raided the three-bedroom terraced house in Queenswood Avenue, just off Sutton Lane, where the entire top floor was being used to cultivate the drug, last Thursday.

Plans to outlaw drinking in Lampton Park will go under the spotlight at a public meeting on Thursday next week.

Members of Heston East Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) will discuss the proposals at Hounslow Civic Centre in Lampton Road, Hounslow, from 7pm till 9pm.

Cops from Hounslow South Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) are holding a drop-in surgery later this month.

Officers will be at The Blue Ginger Bar in Whitton Dene Road, Hounslow, on Wednesday February 25 from 6-8pm.