|
|
 |
| |
Councillor James King |
Dispersal zone aims to continue war on drugs
A DISPERSAL zone that will ensure 90 per cent of the borough south of Chalk Farm remains under extraordinary police powers is expected to be approved by Town Hall crime chiefs tomorrow (Friday).
The police have applied to renew a notice to cover Camden Town, Primrose Hill and parts of Kentish Town in order to tackle an “entrenched drugs market”.
In dispersal zones, uniformed police have the power to order people in groups of two or more out of the area, and remove under-16s found there after 9pm. They have to be agreed by the council, and are for a six-month period, but there have been dispersal zones continuously covering Camden Town since July 2006.
The council’s report into the proposals said: “Camden Town remains a borough hotspot for priority crime, much of which is associated with the drugs market. Anti-social behaviour by groups and individuals is not only restricted to those involved in the drugs market but also those involved in offences such as robbery and serious public order offences. The area is also associated with violent crime linked to the night-time economy and alcohol consumption.”
Last month, the council pledged to review its policy urgently after another dispersal zone that covers most of southern Camden was approved with minimum publicity and consultation.
Town Hall community safety chief Cllr James King said: “We’re in a better place than we were when these powers were first used [in 2006] but Camden Town is one our main crime centres in the borough, and I know that active use is made of these dispersal powers – it will be justified to keep this dispersal zone working.”
He said the review of policy, and of the area covered by another large dispersal zone, would be complete in “the next few weeks”.
The proposed new zone stretches from Mornington Crescent in the south to Chalk Farm in the north, and from Primrose Hill in the east to St Pancras Way. It adjoins other existing zones, which stretch south from Mornington Crescent to Holborn and the West End, and cover Swiss
Cottage and parts of Kilburn.
There is also a dispersal zone covering the Peckwater estate in Kentish Town. |
 |
|
|
|
Your comments:
SO the new strategy to fight the war on drugs is kick the hoppers off their corner for a few hours every couple days. Sounds like a great plan to me.
John
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
