|
|
 |
| |
CCTV THAT ‘VICTIMISES’ TEENAGERS
Camera smashed as under-siege residents plead for help
A SMASHED CCTV camera which had been “victimising” teenagers has become a symbol of rising tensions between young and old in Somers Town, where the authorities met frightened residents this week to pledge change.
Police and council leaders were called to a summit at Ossulston Tenants’ Hall on Thursday and forced to acknowledge that weeks of increasing trouble had not been dealt with, as residents vented anger and fear over vandalism, gang fighting and intimidation.
“These kids have got a vendetta against the place and they’re slowly demolishing it, piece by piece – if I went out there now I’d probably get beaten up,” said one elderly resident.
“There were kids stalking us as we came to this meeting, they were calling us grasses. I mean, what’s wrong with kids? What’s wrong with them? I mean, really, what has happened?”, said another.
But as the police promised extra patrols and the council pledged to use Asbos, a few voices among the 50-strong audience – which contained no teenagers – questioned the relentless enforcement approach.
“Kids today are so rubbished, what can we expect?” said caretaker Daniel Hogan, who called for residents to come together to build a community response.
“The CCTV camera is victimising the same children, day after day, following them as they cross the road to the shops. I don’t believe heavy- handed tactics like this on the kids will help. Our kids are left to stand around when we should be finding ways for them to express themselves.”
Somers Town People’s Forum founder Dave Hoefling said: “You’ll come in like the Marines in Pearl Harbour for a few months, then you’re going to move on. It’s time you took this on board and did something about Somers Town, rather than leaving us as the dumping ground of Camden.”
But the majority echoed St Pancras and Somers Town councillor Roger Robinson, who said: “The last few months have been hell. I have had phone call after phone call. We need a proper programme for dealing with dysfunctional kids and with dysfunctional people.
“We can either do it by legal action or people will find other ways to do it.”
“I recognise the issues you have been dealing with,” said Chief Inspector Louis Smith, who promised motorcycle police and the use of dispersal powers to tackle groups of youths. “We all recognise that anti-social behaviour, if it’s not managed properly, can turn into serious youth violence.”
The Town Hall’s anti-crime chief Tony Brooks said: “We accept and agree there are some very real issues here.
“We also know there is a harder group of core young people here – they are known to us and known to you. We’ve begun interventions against these key individuals – most live in the area – and we are continuing to put effort into the area.” |
 |
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
