Cllr Raj Chada

Town Hall considers Asbos to fight sale of drug paraphernalia

STALLHOLDERS and shopkeepers legally selling drugs paraphernalia in Camden Town could be hit with Asbos under radical plans being considered by the Town Hall.
Under proposals discussed at a meeting of senior police officers, members of Labour’s ruling council executive and business leaders last Wednesday, traders in Camden High Street and market would be asked to stop selling bongs, extra-large cigarette papers and crack pipes.
If they refused, the traders may be threatened with court action that could see them jailed.
Council leader Councillor Raj Chada pledged to rid Camden Town of drug dealers within two years on Monday.
When quizzed by the New Journal how he intended to do this, he refused to rule out the use of anti-social behaviour orders.
He said: “We will look at all the powers that we have to discourage people from selling drugs and drug paraphernalia from Camden Town.”
He believes he is the man to put an end to the area’s notorious reputation as a place where drugs can be bought openly.
Using his leader’s speech at Monday’s full council meeting, Cllr Chada said that he would clear away the cannabis peddlers who harass people in Camden High Street.
He said: “We will not tolerate a tiny, selfish minority. We are making a renewed effort to reduce drug and alcohol-related crime, in particular the visible drugs markets.
“We will look to use Asbos, we will look at shops selling drugs paraphernalia and we will look to improve our environment – we will look to eradicate open drug dealing within two years.”
Camden pioneered the use of so-called white-collar Asbos last year when it won a court order against millionaire flyposting king Tim Horrox.
Conservative leader Councillor Piers Wauchope said: “It was a very good election speech. It is no good after all this time saying there is renewed focus – there never was any focus.
“Go down there tonight and you will be able to buy cannabis. Nothing is being done.”
Police statistics confirm Camden Town as a cannabis hotspot, with 1,070 arrests for drug offences – about 70 per cent for cannabis.
The lawful sale of drugs paraphernalia, memorabilia and magic mushrooms was identified as a key problem with Camden Town’s reputation by borough commander Chief Superintendent Mark Heath when he took over a year and a half ago.
Magic mushrooms were criminalised by a change in legislation last summer, but until now the authorities have had no leverage with traders selling paraphernalia.