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Soho is a safe place, but we can’t be complacent
• I SYMPATHISE with your correspondent from Old Compton Street (Need for police at weekends, May 30).
It is very frustrating and can be intimidating to see the persistent presence of those involved in drug dealing on the streets of Soho.
Add to the mix the beggars and clippers and others involved in a range of anti-social street behaviour and the challenge facing the police is clear.
However, contrary to the impression given in the letter that was published, the Soho Safer Neighbourhoods Team is working hard to tackle drug-related problems.
This is a priority which has been highlighted by the local community through the Safer Neighbourhoods Panel.
As chair of the panel, I can confidently say that Soho currently has the best local police team I can remember.
At a recent meeting, members were impressed with a report on the activities of the Soho SNT.
And it is not just a matter of statistics. Unlike your correspondent, I and other local residents have seen a noticeable increase in police activity, both uniformed and plain clothes.
People living and working in Archer Street, for example, have praised recent police action to deal with concerns they have raised.
But we have to be realistic, I’m afraid. Many of the answers to the problems we see on the streets of Soho are beyond the remit of our local police.
Better street lighting (Archer Street has been waiting for years) would help.
Better support for problem individuals who want to change their lifestyle could make a difference.
There should be more effective sanctions to deal with the persistent offenders who have such a miserable impact on the rest of the community.
And more police officers would be very welcome, too!
Surprisingly, given the way it sometimes appears, Soho is a remarkably safe place. But clearly we can’t be complacent, and much still needs to be done to improve the present situation – in particular, by reducing the fear of crime. I would like to invite your correspondent to join the Safer Neighbourhoods Panel to help achieve this.
I can be contacted via Fair Share, at 102 Berwick Street.
Andrew Murray
Berwick Street, W1
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