49 illegal gaming machines seized in raids on clubs

Forty nine illegal gaming machines were seized in raids on clubs across Haringey.

Haringey council enforcement officers carried out Operation Elgar with the Met police and the Gambling Commission in a crackdown on illegal gambling.

The two-day operation saw premises in Green Lanes, West Green Road and Lordship Lane, targeted after concerns were raised by the Gambling Commission about illegal 'black horse' gaming machines in social and snooker clubs.

The multi-agency op is the second of its kind to be carried out in the borough, taking the total haul of machines seized to 93.

Cllr Nilgun Canver, Cabinet Member for the Environment, said: "The council is determined to ensure that only premises with licences are allowed to have gaming machines as they can attract anti-social behaviour problems for local communities. It is also important that we're able to monitor their effect on the community, which is why they need to be licenced. I'm glad to see these latest raids have successfully removed so many illegal machines."

Haringey Borough Commander Sandra Looby said: "We will continue to use our full range of powers alongside the council and other law enforcement agencies, in order to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour to make Haringey safer."

The Gambling Commission's Regional Compliance Manager for the South-East, Clive Noblett said they had also been pleased to play a part in the successful multi-agency operation.