Dirty restaurants face instant closure checks

Food retailers and restaurants that pose a risk to public health will be closed immediately under a new crackdown.

The food safety team in Waltham Forest will visit high-street outlets to check for poor standards of food handling, pest infestations and unacceptable practices. Repeat offenders could be prosecuted.

Afzal Akram, cabinet member for the community, said: "We take food safety very seriously and as it is a new year we wanted to have a high-profile event in an area with lots of food retailers."

Recent actions include the closure of Mauritian Delights in Lea Bridge Road, Leyton, on 25 November because of mouse and cockroach infestations.