wcomment: Need for police at weekends q My partner and I have lived in Old Compton Street for a number of years and greatly enjoy the diversity, culture and vibrancy of Soho and its surrounding areas.

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West End Extra - LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Published:30 May 2008

WEE | letters | Police at weekends | Old Compton Street | Soho | Culture and vibrancy | Brewer Street | beggars | Prostitutes | drug dealers

Need for police at weekends

• MY partner and I have lived in Old Compton Street for a number of years and greatly enjoy the diversity, culture and vibrancy of Soho and its surrounding areas.
Over the past few years there has been a noticeable decline in police officers in the area, which is particularly noticeable at the weekends.
My partner is a police officer and is therefore well aware of the demands of policing resources, and the constraints on time during busy periods.
Not withstanding these operational excuses, an increased presence is greatly needed, especially during the busiest periods when there are thousands of people converging on the busy Soho streets, all with the aim of enjoying recreation time free of crime and the fear of crime.
On walking through Brewer Street at night there is often a collection of drug dealers openly trading in the doorways opposite one bar and the surrounding areas.
As the night draws on this is added to by beggars, flower sellers and prostitutes – none of which are desirable to tourists, visitors or residents alike, and all of which prove intimidating and threatening.
Into the early hours these “unsavouries” are joined by pimps and crack heads.
It is becoming increasingly menacing and getting out of hand.
I understand that the Metropolitan Police’s Safer Neighbourhoods scheme was created to reduce crime, the fear of crime and issues that affect the quality of life in London – and to put the “Bobby back onto the beat”.
I, my partner and my neighbours all think that this sceme is failing – miserably in our area.
We don’t feel reassured, we don’t feel safe, but we do fear crime!
Name supplied
Old Compton Street, W1

Send your letters to: The Letters Editor, West End Extra, 40 Camden Road, London, NW1 9DR or email to letters@westendextra.co.uk. The deadline for letters is midday Wednesday. The editor regrets that anonymous letters cannot be published, although names and addresses can be withheld.
Please include a full name, postal address and telephone number.
Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

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