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Police shouldn’t think public is wrong on crime
• As a long-term Camden resident, I will be interested to see the outcome of the crime-mapping scheme being proposed, but I must admit I am surprised and a little concerned that the Chief Superintendent Dominic Clout is of the view that “that the public would be shocked at the low numbers of crimes reported” (Top cop backs crime map, January 8).
Even if the figures for Camden show burglaries are being reported at a rate of five a day (which doesn’t include the non-reported burglaries) it still feels like a lot of crime when you live here day by day.
Add to those figures all the other reportable crimes, it is understandable how the figures quickly add up to 3,000 a month – just for Camden.
The 2008 Annual Residents Survey for Camden demonstrated a stark picture of how it feels to live in Camden, with almost half of the borough’s residents citing crime as their biggest concern.
And that had not improved from the previous year.
Chief Superintendent Clout seems to put this down to “the perception that people have from what they read in the newspaper”.
This, in part, is true but much of our perception also comes from what we experience in our everyday lives in Camden which includes the non-reported crimes, anti-social behaviour, vandalism and graffiti, and simmering social tensions, brought on by a whole variety of reasons, which add to an atmosphere of vulnerability.
I also suggest that the chief superintendent might consider changing his approach to this problem and actually listen to what people’s perceptions are and take a more empathetic approach to their perspective, rather than just assuming that people are wrong in their assessment. The issue remains, whether it is real or perceived. It won’t go away with one of his “party tricks at public meetings”.
Brad Hepburn
Gospel Oak resident
Address supplied
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