A BRAND new police unit is set to pound the beat in one of Redbridge's most crime ridden town centres.

Three new constables and a sergeant are due to take to the streets in Ilford by September, after the plan was given the green light by the council's cabinet on Tuesday.

The officers will be introduced in a bid to reduce the public's fear of crime in the busy shopping district, which has seen several high-profile stabbings in recent years - including the murder of teenager Nabeel Bakurally last November.

The new team is being funded by members of the Ilford Business Improvement District (BID) who are concerned about the public's perception of the area as unsafe.

Marc Myers, Chairman of the BID, said: “When we were looking to establish the BID it was highlighted that extra police officers would reassure people about the safety of the area.

“The new police team will bring a deeper feeling of safety in Ilford which can only benefit residents, shoppers and businesses.”

The new officers will work alongside the borough's current Safer Neighbourhoods Teams and the British Transport Police working at Ilford Station.

In addition to the new officers an extra 50 special constables are also due to start patrolling the streets of Ilford by the end of the year.

Borough Commander Peter Terry said: “Three additional police officers will be an extra visible reassuring presence in Ilford Town Centre and make a vital contribution to the BID's aim of making it a safer place.”