|
|
 |
| |
The exclusion zone is marked in red
|
Estates fear trouble from over the border
Warning that exclusion zone will bring gang invasion
TROUBLEMAKERS from Camden could be pushed onto the estates of Archway and Tufnell Park when a new dispersal zone comes into force today (Friday), it is feared.
Even police on the Camden side of the border admit that Islington councillors are “scared” about the repercussions.
The move follows problems with gangs of youths gathering around Kentish Town and Highgate, overturning cars and committing “steaming” robberies.
Billed as “a clampdown on nuisance youths” by Camden Council, the zone will give police powers to ban people from the area for 24 hours or to escort under-16s to their home.
The dispersal zone is bounded by Highgate Road, Lady Margaret Road and the railway line alongside Ingestre Road. It is intended to contain an area that has seen persistent complaints of youth disorder in recent months, including a rampage in January that saw cars overturned in Burghley Road and Oakford Road.
Sergeant Peter Ryan, who heads Kentish Town Safer Neighbourhoods police team, said: “Islington councillors are scared. They’re scared we’re going to bring in a dispersal zone at the end of this week and that that is going to give them a problem behind Tufnell Park station.” Sgt Ryan said the youths saw the area as their own. “These people don’t think: ‘ah, I’ve just moved from one ward to another’ or ‘I’ve just moved from Camden to Islington’,” he said. “They regard it as their area and they haven’t got anywhere else to go.” He added that Islington should consider introducing its own dispersal zone.
The introduction of the zone comes after a summit held by police from Islington, Highgate and Kentish Town to discuss concerns about a 30-strong group intimidating passers-by, vandalising cars and ‘steaming’ shops to steal cash or goods.
Similar initiatives have been run with success to move on street drinkers around Finsbury Park and Holloway.
But Labour councillor Janet Burgess is worried the move will echo the effects of Asbos imposed by Camden on drug dealers and prostitutes around King’s Cross. As a result, they were pushed up Caledonian Road to the Market estate.
Cllr Burgess, former chairwoman of the Police Community Consultative Group, said: “I share that concern because there’s already quite a few problems with vandalism and dogs around the estates of Tufnell Park. It’s right on the border and we know some of the kids are from Camden.”
She added: “I can sympathise with Camden but I am worried about a dispersal order having an effect on us and soon we will have to take steps.”
Lib Dem councillor Ursula Woolley said she was speaking to police about introducing a similar dispersal zone on the Islington side.
|
 |
| |
|
|
|
