|
|
 |
| |
Police are doing well in the fight against
street youth crime
• IN view of your recent reports as to the incidence of street crime in Camden, can I offer a word of praise for our Gospel Oak Safer Neighbourhoods (GOSN) police team?
Over more than a year, GOSN police have worked constructively with the community, reporting to a representative citizens’ panel, as well as liaising with Camden housing department and police in neighbouring wards, to produce a sharp decrease in anti-social behaviour and street drinking in our ward.
In addition our police team recently organised and participated in a highly successful youth football tournament, involving at least 50 young people from Gospel Oak and Highgate wards, held at Haverstock School.
This work by Gospel Oak police took place out of hours and in their spare time.
The long-term aim of the Safer Neighbourhoods programme is to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and, just as importantly, to reduce anxiety about these factors in the community at large.
I would offer a plea to all Camden residents to find out more about their local Safer Neighbourhoods police teams and the positive work they are contributing to their communities.
CHRIS FAGG
Chair
Gospel Oak Safer Neighbourhood Citizens’ Panel
* I read with interest last week’s story on Councillor Russell Eagling’s encounter with the charming ‘yoof’ of Hampstead (Lib Dem is third councillor to be mugged).
He stated that the assault had reinforced his conviction that society “should not tolerate any level of crime”.
Highly commendable remarks indeed. It is noted that the councillor works for liberal think tank, CentreForum.
This is a quote from the ‘Anxious Britain’ report as published on the website of said organisation:
“This government has, like its Conservative predecessors, adopted a ‘tough’ and occasionally draconian approach to law and order. A whole generation of young people are now threatened with a form of summary justice for non-criminal but undesirable behaviour in the form of Asbos. Liberals have rejected this approach promising instead to pursue a policy of ‘engagement, rather than exclusion’.
Further to his recent encounter, is the councillor now feeling suitably “engaged”?
OWEN HART
Crayle House
Malta Street, EC1
|
 |
|
|
|
