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‘Summer of violence’ fears
POLICE and council officials warned of a possible summer of violence as they met residents concerned that an outbreak of street fights could spark clashes between gangs.
A string of incidents around Ossulston Street in Somers Town prompted residents to call a summit with the authorities.
At a “Face the Public” meeting held at Hamilton House, King’s Cross, on Monday, residents said large gatherings of young people in and around estates were causing alarm.
“We have been trying to get accountability for anti-social behaviour for a long, long time,” said Helia Evans, secretary of the Ossulston tenants’ and residents’ assocation. “This is about the community taking ownership of the problem.”
The borough’s senior police officer, Chief Supt Dominic Clout, warned: “The biggest risk we face in Camden this summer is serious youth violence – and it is going to be a long, hot summer.
“Last summer, as regards serious youth violence, there was a low instance of that type of crime. We will use youth stop and search, we will use Section 60, we will use ASBOs and dispersal zones, we will use any measures at our disposal.”
Camden Council’s head of community safety, Tony Brooks, said: “There has been a real problem in and around the Ossulston estate in the last few weeks. There are about five or six young people there that we all know.”
Former Mayor and older people’s champion Barbara Hughes to defended the borough’s youths. “This should not turn into an attack on our young people,” she said.
A meeting of residents and council community safety experts is planned tonight (Thurs day) at Ossulston Tenants’ Hall, Ossulston Street, at 7pm. |
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