No more cakes for David Miliband’s door police
Ex-Foreign Secretary says goodbye to armed cops
Published: 29 July, 2010
by JOSIE HINTON
ARMED police officers guarding the home of shadow Foreign Secretary David Miliband have waved goodbye to his Primrose Hill doorstep.
The officers, who have been a familiar fixture over the last three years, completed their final shift on Sunday after a three-month “grace” period following Labour’s General Election defeat.
The armed officers had been an unmissable fixture which divided the neighbourhood.
Tony Peters, who has run the Queens No 1 pub for 30 years, said he was happy to say goodbye after the armed officers scared his customers away.
“They affected my trade,” he said. “I had no problem with the people themselves – they were always friendly – but having armed police outside definitely put punters off coming to the pub.
“People want to have a drink and relax. They don’t want to be constantly overlooked by police officers with guns. I’m hoping trade will pick up again now they’ve gone.”
Mr Peters joked: “I’ve had to go through the smoking ban and the Mili-ban.”
But some neighbours of Mr Miliband, the former Haverstock School pupil who wants to be leader of the Labour Party, were more fond of the boys in blue. Karen Griffiths, of Chalcot Road, could often be seen taking cups of tea out to the officers – even on some occasions baking cakes for them.
She said: “They were such a friendly bunch. Whenever I took the teas out they were so appreciative, especially in the winter when it was cold and wet.
“They knew everyone in the area by name and if someone was locked out they’d be helpful and even try and help them get back in. I’ll be sad to see them go.”
She added that the constant police presence made residents feel safer.
“I’ve been here 30 years and having them there seemed to make a difference to crime. We’ve always had a lot of bikes being stolen and low-level crimes and their presence made a difference.”
According to neighbours, just five hours after the officers finished their final shift at 10pm, a bicycle was stolen from Edis Street.
And when the armed guards took a break over Christmas, crime shot up, with four bicycles stolen and a burglary in the space of four days.
When the armed officers first began patrolling the quiet street in 2007, there was concern the sight of the officer’s guns would be distressing for youngsters attending nearby Primrose Hill Primary School.
Some parents even asked the school to request they be more discreet while children are being dropped off and picked up.