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We are working to fight crime
• I AM writing in response to your letters last week from residents Yasmin Allen and Mrs S Robinson, and a letter from a local Labour Party organiser (Why have we been abandoned to the criminals, September 28).
Gospel Oak’s three Conservative Councillors (who all live in the Ward) are very actively involved in stepping up the fight against crime in our neighbourhood.
Councillor Keith Sedgwick has been instrumental in getting the police and council to work more energetically together in targeting the source of crime in Gospel Oak. As a consequence, the police – for the first time – will now be working formally with the Gospel Oak’s District Housing Office to target the small number of council tenants who are responsible for many of the area’s problems.
It is a sad fact that a small number of youths living in council property are the cause of two-thirds of offences committed.
As Chairman of the Community Safety Scrutiny Committee, I have made anti-social behaviour the first topic to be examined. I have had set up an all-party working group, which includes Councillor Keith Sedgwick, to come up with more ideas on fixing this problem. They will be producing actionable recommendations in November.
Councillor Lulu Mitchell is working on arranging an inter-estate football tournament to build trust amongst the area’s youths, whose co-operation is so vital in tackling violence.
The causes of anti-social behaviour and crime have been building over many years. There is no overnight solution. But you may be sure of one thing. We will not stand by and let this happen to our neighbours and to our community.
CLLR CHRIS PHILIP
Gospel Oak (Conservative) |
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