More than 1,150 knives and bladed items have been surrendered through a permanent knife bin in Harold Hill during its first year. Havering Council says the facility allows weapons to be disposed of safely and anonymously as part of its wider work to prevent knife crime. A second permanent knife bin has since opened outside Havering Town Hall in Romford.
Gallows Corner in Romford is expected to fully reopen by the end of September as improvement works enter their final stages. A full weekend closure of the flyover and roundabout is planned from 18 to 21 September to allow resurfacing work to take place. Havering Council says the reopening should bring months of significant disruption to an end.
Jake on Friday Drive (11/09) spoke with Fran from The Havering Daily in “The Local Update” discussing big local news stories affecting the Havering Community. – Listen again to the Podcast – This week talking about Romford Market, The draft London Plan & Rainham’s Wresting World Champion!
Listen again to the first instalment of “The Local Update” – Bedrock Radio’s Evening Drive host Jake is joined by Fran from The Havering Daily to discuss pressing local news. – From recent wildfires, toxic smoke from Launders Lane & a recent police operation.
A new Family Welcome Centre has opened in Harold Hill, providing 74 self-contained homes for Havering families in temporary accommodation. The council says the development will help keep families closer to local services while saving an estimated £1.7 million a year by reducing reliance on hotels and other costly temporary housing.
A new out-of-hours mental health support service has opened at St George’s Health and Wellbeing Hub in Havering, offering free, confidential help for adults experiencing emotional distress. The Reset Hub is open every evening and weekend without the need for an appointment or referral, providing an alternative to A&E for people in mental health crisis.
Young athletes from Havering have enjoyed an outstanding run at the 2026 London Youth Games, bringing home four team medals across athletics, swimming and aquathlon competitions.
Havering Council’s Trading Standards team has carried out test purchasing operations in Hornchurch and Rainham to ensure retailers are not selling age-restricted products, including knives and vapes, to under-18s. With the support of Metropolitan Police cadets, officers visited five businesses, all of which correctly refused sales to the young volunteers.
Local Trading Standards teams have delivered a significant hit to organized crime this month, removing more than £56,000 worth of illicit tobacco and vapes from
The scheme will see a locally listed historic building brought back into use while delivering nine much needed family homes in Romford.
The development includes nine residential houses, including one two bedroom house and eight, three bedroom family homes, which will protect the historic core of the building, erected in the late 1800s.
