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The towpath at Treaty Street |
Attack sparks towpath safety 'summit' call
AN attack on a teenager who was abducted, assaulted and thrown into Regent’s Canal in daylight on Sunday has brought calls for a towpath safety “summit”.
Caledonian ward Labour councillor Paul Convery has warned of a mini-crimewave blighting the area as “an ugly mood” develops among a small group of troublemakers.
Speaking following Sunday’s attack, Cllr Convery said: “The towpath is almost the playground turf of this violent, hardcore bunch of people.”
The attack followed a similar incident in November last year, when a 15-year-old girl was thrown into Regent’s Canal.
Detectives are hunting a group of youths who attacked the 16-year-old in Wynford Road, off Caledonian Road, just after 3pm on Sunday.
The teenager was dragged into a black Mercedes people-carrier and assaulted by one of the suspects. Minutes later, the car stopped in Treaty Street, where two suspects and the victim got out.
The teenager was assaulted again and then thrown into the canal. He was left with cuts and bruises to his face and taken to hospital.
Police were later called to nearby Havelock Street, where a burned-out Mercedes – believed to be the one used in the abduction – was abandoned.
Duncan Webster, who lives close to the canal, said: “We were walking along the canal when we saw 10 police running down the road. There were two ambulance people there and a big wet mark where something had been dragged from the canal.”
He added: “We’re really worried about the safety of youths around the area.”
A neighbour whose home overlooks the spot where the teenager was thrown into the canal said: “My daughter saw the boy with a blanket around him going to the ambulance. He looked like he had a black eye and was bleeding. He was only young. She won’t be going down there anymore.
“You see boys of a night on bikes. They are a nuisance riding back and forth. It’s frightening because there’s no lights. It’s lovely along there but I’m scared to go.”
Cllr Convery said: “We’re seeing a mini crimewave of anti-social behaviour and it’s taking a pretty nasty turn. There have been several incidents in the last few weeks, particularly along the canal. It’s causing some unease. There’s been immense amounts of really quite aggressive behaviour.”
He added: “I hesitate to say this as I’m hugely in favour of more people using the towpath but maybe we need to think about whether it’s safe to keep it open 24 hours a day.”
He blamed the failure to install lighting on bureaucratic infighting as British Waterways and Islington Council argue over whose responsibility it is to install security measures. “We need to have a towpath summit,” he said.
Islington’s Lib Dem community safety chief Councillor Terry Stacy said: “This incident concerns me and I’ll be taking it up with police. The council will take up the issue of lighting on the canal but closing it is controversial.
“It may be a debate that needs to happen and I’m interested in feedback from people who use the canal.”
Jon Guest, customer operations manager for British Waterways London, said: “I was saddened to hear of the recent attack on the young man on the towpath, and wish him well in his recovery.
“Unfortunately, the canal in Islington is not immune to some of the anti-social problems the area around Treaty Street suffers from. British Waterways works collaboratively with the police, the council, businesses and landowners in the area to tackle these issues.”
He added: “Part of the charm of the canal is that it is away from busy streets, acting as a green corridor supporting a variety of wildlife. However, during the hours of darkness this means it may not be the best route to choose. We would therefore always advise people to take a safe, well-lit route at night.”
Mr Guest said there were long-term plans to upgrade the towpath as part of the redevelopment of area.
Anyone with information about Sunday’s attack is asked to call PC Kerry Cooper, from Islington CID, on 020 7421 0350 or Crimestoppers anonymously on
0800 555 111. |
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