Operation Condor

Operation to crack-down on licensing issues
One of the Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) biggest policing operations of the year so far was launched yesterday to tackle unlicensed activity around the capital.

Operation Condor targets all 32 London boroughs as part of a massive crack-down on licensing issues affecting all our communities and so far has led to 3274 premises visited, 343 licensing breaches identified, and 261 people arrested.
The operation is a co-ordinated 48 hour operation across London to combat those who flout licensing rules including shops, pubs, clubs, unlicensed mini cabs and others. 

Police are on the look out for drug taking and other illegal activity inside pubs and checking that alcohol is sold and consumed in line with licensing laws. In shops and supermarkets, they are taking action against people selling alcohol, cigarettes and knives to children and those who have not checked correctly checked the history of second hand goods for sale. Driving licence fraud and taxi touts will also be targeted. 

Commander Mak Chishty, leading the operation, said: "Licensing laws are there for good reason as they help protect us from danger. Breaking them is not acceptable. Operation Condor is about keeping our communities safe from harm. In our shops and supermarkets this means people do not sell knives, harmful substances or alcohol to young people; in our pubs and clubs it means that alcohol is sold and consumed in a responsible way, on our roads it means that vehicles, such as taxis are properly licensed and safe.

"This is why so many of my officers were out yesterday and are busy today stopping cars at transport hotspots to check for correct documentation, visiting newsagents, off-licences, supermarkets and betting shops to ensure and test licensing laws are being followed correctly. We are also targeting pubs and clubs to make sure they are strictly applying their permits and to ensure any informal sales of goods or drugs on their premises are dealt with appropriately.

"Licensing impacts upon everyday community life; The results of unlicensed activity on our streets can find the form of underage drinkers acting unsociably, close to where we live, unlicensed mini-cabs endangering passengers by making uninsured journeys and also shops who potentially encourage the circulation of stolen items by not correctly checking the history of second hand goods offered for sale.

"These are just some small examples of why it is vital our officers continue to work with our partners to enforce licensing laws in all walks of life and in doing so protect people who live, work or travel in London safe from harm."

"Transport for London, local authorities and trading standards are some of the partners involved in the combined effort to increase public safety."
During the course of the operation over 3000 officers from boroughs and specialist units will be working on Op Condor, using a range of tactics to bring unlicensed activity to account.

Kit Malthouse, deputy mayor for policing and crime, said: "Most criminal networks profit from illegal licensing, whether it's selling alcohol illegally or giving youngsters access to harmful weapons. Cracking down on this activity means we'll see a knock on effect of a drop in robberies, violence and anti social behaviour, which is good news for Londoners. I'd like to thank the 3,000 police officers enforcing this operation and I'd like to advise criminals across the capital to keep looking over their shoulders as we're 

So far in the operation twelve pubs/clubs have been closed during the course of the evening for varying offences.
140 cadets have been deployed on test purchase operations on off-licences across various boroughs. Any breaches have been dealt with primarily by local Trading Standards.

A large amount of counterfeit goods have been seized in partnership with Local Authorities and HMR&C. These include; 750 bottles of alcohol in Tower Hamlets, 23 bottles of non duty paid vodka from Kingston; 41.1L of spirits, 100L vodka, 51L wine, 1/2kg tobacco in Ealing; 500 bottles of wine, 100 bottles of spirits, 8000 cigarettes resulting in £5000 unpaid revenue being identified in Islington.





EDITORIAL COMMENT
Sounds good but don't get carried away. The 3000 extra officers were spread over a large brief which included Alcohol and Tobacco sales, the sale of fake goods, knives, betting shops, in fact any licensing contravention.
Watch the video that explains exactly what the operation covered. Touting was a small part of the operation and eventual 248 arrests.






The most worrying aspect of this video is this senior Met Licensing officer doesn't seem to know the difference between Taxi's, minicab, touts or private hire.
There definitely is a need for these licensing officers to go back to Hendon collage and brush up on the Hackney carriage laws they are charged with upholding.


This was a 48 hr operation, touting by Private hire was a small part of the operation. Come back Monday and the touts will be back is business.


The best we can hope for would be that when these figures are analysed, published or whatever they decide to do with them, they realise the scale of the problem, and take it further.


The Anderson Shelter will endeavour  to point out major touting and hope that eventually, resources are given to the police and to TfL enforcement to deal properly with this massive problem.
Lets not forget just how close we are to the Mayoral elections.