ONE of the borough's top policemen has defended his force in the wake of Leytonstone's three stabbings in a week, saying that extra resources have made a “significant” impact.

The head of Waltham Forest CID, detective superintendent Adrian Hutchinson, said he was “concerned and disappointed” by the attacks, but said they were a blip in an otherwise “effective” crackdown on gangs and street robberies.

Last Tuesday (July 27) Andrew Moskal, 29, was slashed in the stomach after trying to break up a fight in Leytonstone High Road, while a 23-year-old was stabbed nearby on Sunday (August 1) and an 18-year-old was attacked with a knife on Monday (August 2) in Cecil Road.

All three are expected to make full recoveries.

He said: “They [the stabbings] are completely unconnected but I do understand the local concern.

“I appreciate that sometimes people don't see police patrols if they're in their homes at night but there has been a significant amount of extra patrols and resources.

“We've had mounted officers, traffic officers and officers from the Territorial Support Group (TSG) - and also additional local officers. That means more cops on the ground.

“What we have seen from this is a significant reduction in street robberies.

“We've got a whole menu of options we're working with and we're identifying locations where there are problematic groups.

“Often the violence is young people against young people and it is often connected to the respect agenda, but I understand the impact it has on the wider community.

“I fully understand those concerns and I can reassure residents that my officers are working hard with partners to make the borough a much safer place.”

Det supt Hutchinson said that police had been working with Waltham Forest Council on a range of measures to tackle gang violence and robberies, including license inspections and test purchases of knife sales to young people.

Officers have also been visiting charity and second hand shops in the borough to look for stolen property, and have recovered “a number” of mobile phones.

He could not say how long the extra resources would be allocated to Leytonstone, but said: “The public should also be reassured that we agitate hard for extra resources in the borough.”

Figures released yesterday showed the TSG have charged two people for possessing a knife and 22 people for drug related offences since the unit started operating in the borough last month.

Det supt Hutchinson added that the attack in Cecil Road on Monday was probably gang related.

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