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Police must vet zones
• LABOUR councillor Natasha Chatterjee’s call to “get tough on crime” is pathetic (It’s time to get tough, January 30).
This very week, Liberal Democrats have agreed two new dispersal zones in Islington – around Tufnell Park station and in St George’s – to stop blatant drug dealing and intimidation of residents. This is in addition to the dispersal zones we have already agreed on the Elthorne estate and in Junction ward, both around the Archway.
Labour doesn’t get it. I have told them twice in public already but will say it again now: the crucial difference between their idea and all the dispersal orders the Liberal Democrat council has already agreed is that they are backed by the police.
To date, Labour has not been able to show any support from the police for its proposed dispersal zone in Market Road.
I don’t know if it’s ignorance or just grandstanding. But their own government came up with the process for introducing dispersal zones – any proposal must have the police’s support and evidence. The police then ask the council for permission. But Labour wants to bend the rules because it can’t meet them.
We all know the problems there have been over the years with anti-social behaviour around the Market estate. I am pleased that partnership working between the residents, police and council means that things are a lot better than they used to be.
But we know how these problems can come back so we are monitoring the situation closely.
As soon as Labour can show the police there is a real problem in the area then Liberal Democrats will have no problem bringing in a dispersal zone. But only if that’s what the police recommend.
CLLR TERRY STACY
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