A NEW alliance between police and the council has taken to the streets for the first time to crackdown on taxis and bars which are flouting licensing laws.
Last month, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council and Surrey Police unveiled their new united taskforce, the Joint Enforcement Team (Jet).
And on June 27, the team took to the streets in a debut operation to check taxis and licensed premises in the borough are staying within the law.
Jet aims to unite council staff who have powers of enforcement – such as environmental health officers and planning enforcement officers – with police to make it easier to crack down on antisocial or illegal behaviour.
Councillors and police chiefs hope that by combining their powers in one team they can avoid the delays caused by having to pass cases from one authority to the other.
Councillor Victor Broad, leader of Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, said: "We live in one of the safest counties in England but we know that the inconsiderate and antisocial behaviour by a minority is a serious concern to our residents.
"Working even more closely with Surrey Police and sharing some powers will enable us to deal with issues more effectively when they arise."
The team – the first of its kind in the county – is being funded by the Police and Crime Commissioner for Surrey's office and will focus on issues including beggars, cycling offences, dog fouling, fly-tipping and drinking in public places. Surrey's police and crime commissioner Kevin Hurley said: "By enforcing the law quickly and visibly against antisocial behaviour wherever we encounter it, we send out a clear message that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated in Reigate and Banstead."
The initial operation took place from 6pm to midnight, with officers focusing on noise, driving offences, licensing issues and antisocial behaviour.
More than 30 taxis and minicabs were checked on the night, with 16 warnings issued to drivers in breach of their licence; five tickets issued for offences including failure to produce documents and vehicle defects; and two vehicles prevented from carrying on until defects were corrected.
During a check of licensed premises such as pubs and bars, officers found most businesses to be complying with their licence, though some licence holders were reminded of their duties.
Sergeant Simon Ward of Reigate police said: "Jet allows police and council officers to work more closely together to provide a quicker, more visible and more robust response to those causing persistent nuisance.
"We will be continuing to work together in order to tackle the wide range of antisocial behaviour issues that matter to our community."
Visit www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk/report or call 01737 276300 to lodge any concerns.
Jet will be tackling:
Abandoned vehicles
Antisocial behaviour
Beggars
Blue badge enforcement [disability badges]
Cycling offences
Dangerous dogs
Dog fouling
Fly-posting and graffiti
Fly-tipping and litter
Highway obstruction
Sale of alcohol
Scrap metal
Street drinkers
Street trading
Unlawful occupation (squatters / travellers)
Unlicensed skips
Untaxed vehicles
Notices to clear waste on land
Taxi licensing
