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Islington Tribune - by JAMIE WELHAM
Published: 25 January 2008

Labour call for ‘zero tolerance’ to tackle violent crime

NAMING and shaming and metal detectors in schools are some of the controversial measures being called for to halt the rising tide of violent crime in the borough.
Islington Labour group is urging the Town Hall to “get tough on criminals” – demanding zero tolerance on knife crime in light of the fatal stabbing of 16-year-old Nassirudeen Osawe last month.
The measures are part of a raft of hardline proposals which include wider CCTV coverage, more stop-and-searches, tougher sentencing and an increase in prosecutions.
The council has rubbished the proposals, saying they are dangerous scaremongering which will only criminalise youths.
The Labour group will consult residents in crime hotspots on their plans, before reporting back to the council with a list of recommendations.
Councillor Richard Watts, Labour spokesman on Children, said the proposals were a wake-up call to the “overly liberal” council which he accused of brazenly ignoring public opinion on crime.
Cllr Watts said: “Now is the time to get tough on crime. The message from the people is loud and clear. Everyone is saying enough is enough but the council are dragging their heels.
“For too long they have been too worried about the rights of criminals and not about the victims. It might be seen as reactionary, but from talking with the police and the people of Islington there is no question that this is what they want and also what they need.
“Some of the measures may be controversial but we know they make our streets safer and are not scared of saying that. As long as we are sensitive and really engage with young people then things can change for the better.”
Labour leader Catherine West gave the plans a ringing endorsement. She said: “The council needs to be on the side of people who are worried about violent crime.
“Nothing is as serious right now for people in the borough than the violent crime that has taken too many young lives. Now we are taking the first steps forward to give our neighbourhoods the protection they need.”
The message from teachers is one of caution. Ken Muller from Islington National Union of Teachers said: “I would be very worried that these proposals would demonise children. Clearly we are worried about knives being brought into school but I think the dangers are being exaggerated. We certainly don’t want our schools to start resembling prisons.”
The Liberal Democrat council has accused the Labour group of scaremongering and hypocrisy, saying it was Labour MPs who rejected the bill to bring knife sentencing in line with gun offences.
Ursula Woolley, executive member for children and young people, said: “Their proposals are so over the top. If metal detectors in schools were backed by the police London-wide then we would consider them, but at the moment it is an over-reaction. They are doing there very best to make people afraid by what I see as scaremongering. The fact is Islington has got safer. We want everyone to feel safe walking the streets and we have done a lot and will continue to work with police to make that happen.”

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