The people behind work innovative ways to reduce crime in Romford town centre have been recognised with a top award.

The Havering Safe and Sound group – made up of Havering Council, police and local businesses - meets regularly to share information on general problems and intelligence on known troublemakers.

They received a distinction, the highest accolade possible, from the Association of Business Crime Partnerships.

London Mayor Boris Johnson visited the town last month to hear about new ideas to tackle alcohol-related disorder.

Teenagers caught attempting to use fake ID to drink under age are to be barred from Romford’s pubs and clubs until they are 19.

And troublemakers under the influence of alcohol in the streets are being given ‘yellow cards’ to temporarily exclude them from the area.

A Banned From One, Banned From All scheme was introduced in pubs and clubs which sees drunkards caught causing to in one premises would be barred all in the town.

This was also rolled out to cover the town’s shops in December.

Anyone arrested for theft or pick-pocketing face being banned from the town centre.

The group also recently received a ‘highly commended’ in the Managing Evening Economy category of the annual Partnership Excellence awards run by the Business Against Crime Partnership.

The group has also been shortlisted in the Association of Town Centre Management awards for Developing the Evening and Night-time Economy.

The winner will be announced on June 30.

Cllr Geoff Starns, Cabinet member for community safety, said: “These three accolades demonstrate how well we, the police, local licensed premises and retailers are working together to make Romford a more pleasant and safer place to enjoy a night out and shop.”