Camden New Journal - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Published: 3 May 2007
Stop the hanging around
•GROUPS of young people are hanging around Chalton Street, Somers Town, mainly because they have nothing else to do, and nowhere else to go. Residents say they often feel intimidated and unsafe.
In one incident, a shopkeeper had items stolen from his shop by members of a gang of youths.When the same thing happened twice in 10 minutes, the shopkeeper, Mr Patel, ran after them and fell over. The youths should apologise and return any items they stole from him.
But the main problem is the lack of facilities in the area. It is unfortunate the Camden council has cut funding for youth provision. Summer is on the way and if we are to prevent incidents of the sort I’ve described there needs to be proper youth clubs with activities which provide a meaningful alternative to ‘hanging around’, or worse. MUKUL HIRA
Chalton Street, NW1
Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, Camden New Journal, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@camdennewjournal.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Tuesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld. Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number. Letters may be edited for reasons of space.