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‘Give us some real coppers’
PCSOs, specials and street wardens 'powerless' to tackle street gangs
PUBLICANS in Camden Town have called time on cheap policing methods and demanded more “real” police officers after a man was beaten up by youths.
Richard James, 38, was beaten with bottles after being caught up in a gang fight in Inverness Street in the early hours of Sunday morning. But staff in bars and restaurants say street wardens and newly-employed security guards are powerless to tackle gangs of young men who fight, openly deal drugs and intimidate customers around the clock.
A female manager, who wanted to remain anonymous said: “We see the drug-dealers talking and joking with the wardens so they’re not scared of them. We pay an extra £1,000 to have security who don’t even look scary and the youths won’t respect them either. We need extra police here at night not more wardens who stop before the trouble starts.”
Neither council-employed wardens nor security guards who hit the streets last week, employed by business forum Camden Town Unlimited (CTU) and funded through a one per cent levy on businesses rates, have the power of arrest, or work at night when publicans say most of the street violence takes place.
Camden’s crime chief Lib Dem councillor Ben Rawlings said he was lobbying for more police in Inverness Street.
A police spokesman claimed police community support officers (PCSOs) and special constables were making a difference in the area. He said: “PCSOs can also issue Fixed Penalty Notices for various offences and they provide a reassuring presence to the area.”
Mr James of Agar Grove was phoning police when a youth punched him in the face and smashed his phone. Others joined in the attack before Mr James could stagger inside the Good Mixer pub on the corner with Arlington Road.
He has accused police of letting his attackers off scot-free after they released them without charge. Mr James said: “Police officers didn’t seem interested in talking to me.”
Police have claimed they were forced to release the suspects after no victims came forward.
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