Cllr Khayer Chowdhury (left) and Cllr Jas Athwal with the Challenger (Credit: Redbridge Council)
The Ford Ranger, also known as the Challenger, is equipped with two cameras on the side and an elevated platform camera on top to provide long-range coverage.
It will be deployed to strategic locations in the borough to help identify offenders, gather intelligence and deter illegal activity.
“We’ve rapidly expanded the number of cameras installed around the borough, and the Challenger vehicle will enhance our mobile camera capabilities,” said Cllr Khayer Chowdhury.
“From deterring prostitution on Ilford Lane to challenging beggars in Hainault and Woodford, this vehicle will play a key role in tackling anti-social behaviour.”
The leader of Redbridge Council, Jas Athwal, and Cllr Chowdhury welcomed the Challenger into service at the Ley Street depot on Friday, 26 November.
Cllr Athwal said: “Cracking down on crime and anti-social behaviour in Redbridge remains our absolute priority.
“We’ve listened to the views of thousands of residents and have already made real progress towards ensuring neighbourhoods across the borough are safer for everyone.
“This investment is just the latest part of our wider ongoing partnership work alongside the Metropolitan Police, which will also soon see more police and council enforcement officers on our streets.”
The Challenger records in ultra-definition footage and has 4×4 capacity so council officers can investigate industrial flytipping in wooded and inaccessible parts of the borough.
In the past, councils used similar car-mounted cameras to catch drivers who were parking illegally.
The practice was banned in 2015 after local authorities were found to be abusing the system to raise large amounts of money.
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Tags: Redbridge, Redbridge Council, Crime
