A spokesperson for The Golden Fish, in Becontree Avenue, told this paper it has been subject to severe anti-social behaviour since the installation of pavement and benches opposite the shop.
In May, the manager said that since the Greening the Fiddlers initiative, his business has been “killed” by day drinkers and drug users who congregate on the pavement opposite the restaurant.
Last week, this paper was told that whilst the situation has “marginally improved overall”, the behaviour of people outside the chippy has increased in hostility and aggression.
The Golden Fish in Becontree Avenue(Image: Gianni Cirillo)
The spokesperson said: “The activity dipped for a bit but a lot of them were clearly aggrieved that they were mentioned in the press and since then they’ve been threatening staff and shouting abuse at us.
“We’ve had people walk up to our shop window, look at our staff and draw their fingers across their throats to say, ‘we’re going to kill you’.
“We feel unsafe and we have done for the past year and a half, especially at winter when it’s so dark after work.
“One of our staff members was accosted in a sweet shop on the way home at night and we had another incident where one of our workers was waiting for a lift home after work and she was shouted and sworn at.”
In May, a Metropolitan Police spokesperson confirmed that the Fiddlers area remained “a key priority” for neighbourhood officers.
They also said that officers carry out “regular patrols of the area” although the spokesperson for the chippy claimed an officer is seen “once a blue moon”.
New CCTV cameras were installed outside the chippy following an incident involving a drunk man at the end of August.
A member of staff ended up confronting him over his language to staff, only to be told by the man he would “burn the shop down”, smash their car up and spit on them.
The shop said it has seen a decline in customers since the Greening The Fiddlers initiative and recalled one customer who came in to make an order and jokingly asked if there was a drug distribution centre nearby.
The spokesperson added: “I know they (the council) put the benches in for the right reasons but it was always going to become a hot spot for people that shouldn’t be there.
“The idea that it was going to become a nice, community space is laudable but misplaced.”
A Barking and Dagenham Council spokesperson told this paper it understood the concerns raised by businesses and residents regarding anti-social behaviour in the Fiddlers area.
They said: “Our community safety and licensing teams have visited the location to assess the situation and ensure local off-licences are complying with their licence conditions.
“While no incidents were observed during the visit, we did note signs of ongoing issues such as littering.
“We are continuing to monitor the area and are exploring options to strengthen our response.
“We remain committed to working closely with the police and local partners to ensure the safety and wellbeing of residents, businesses and staff in the area.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “Following concerns raised about anti-social behaviour (ASB), officers from the Neighbourhood Policing Team carry out regular patrols to engage with those congregating in the area.
“Officers make use of our ASB powers where applicable to move people on.
“Neighbourhood Policing Team continue to support local businesses and do check in with them regularly.
“If anyone has any ongoing concerns, they should contact their local team via Met Engage, or to report crime by dialling 101, in an emergency 999.”
The Golden Fish has won multiple awards across its 50 years of operations in Dagenham, including being named the best chippy in the UK around ten years ago.
