Area ‘stereotype’ hurts us

Published: 12 August, 2010

• I FEAR your correspondent (A few minutes pass… another two teenagers are stabbed... , August 5) needs to consult an A-Z map.. 

Neither Willes Road nor Prince of Wales Road are in Gospel Oak by any stretch of the imagination, journalistic licence or otherwise. 

Both are at the southernmost end of Haverstock ward. This may seem petty but the constant attribution of events of violence to Gospel Oak irrespective of where they actually happen only serves to reinforce the stereotype of the area. Similarly quotes from our former councillor Keith Sedgwick such as “it’s like no-man’s land where people come to deal drugs” and it has “always been the place where gangs meet to fight” are wildly exaggerated, to put it mildly.  

Such comments make the work of organisations like the Queen’s Crescent Community Centre and Carlton Primary School much harder as potential pupils and customers are deterred from coming into the area. They could also attract those elements to come to the area for a “bit of bother”. Similarly, charities which might otherwise be prepared to give money to local organisations in Gospel Oak will think twice thus increasing the deprivation of the area. 
Mick Farrant
Oak Village, NW5

More police, please

• YOU report on gang violence, where two teens had been stabbed. 

One witness said that fights are common up to three times a month with 15 or more youths meeting up for arranged violence in the Gospel Oak area, because it is a “no-man’s land”.

The trouble happens after midnight; which is notable, as there is an absence of police. 

Denton estate residents have long called for a greater police presence.

Perhaps the police could set up a sub-station in the long-vacant shop premises on the corner of Malden and Prince of Wales roads. 

They could patrol in the hours of darkness. 

Were London mayor Boris Johnson, as keen on adequate policing as he is on cycling, then he would find extra funds for (safety) patrols.

 It is reported that the bicycle hire scheme has cost about £140million to set up. With 5,000 bicycles, this means that each bike has cost £28,000!

There must not be any reduction in police funding.

Fewer police equals more crime.
Jamie McNulty
Courthope Road, NW3

Improving

• FURTHER to your article (A few minutes pass… another two teenagers are stabbed... , August 5), I want to reassure residents in Gospel Oak that the police and council are continuing to tackle problems in the area.

A CCTV camera was installed at the junction of Malden Road and Prince of Wales Road a year ago in response to youth disorder. 

Since then the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour and related crimes has fallen considerably.

The council and police continue to tackle youth issues in the area. 

We have carried out a number of late-night patrols and visited the families of young people involved in anti-social behaviour. 

Several people have been referred to the Youth Inclusion Support Panel (YISP) and YISP Plus so they can receive support and interventions. We also carry out youth events to encourage young people to take part in positive activities.

An example is the bike project on the Denton estate, which is also open to young people from Queen’s Crescent. The inter-generational project involves reconditioning old and stolen bikes claimed by the police, and aims to create understanding between young people and older people. Anyone completing the 10-week course gets to keep the bike. 

We have targeted several council tenants who have disrupted other residents with their behaviour. We have already served notice on some tenants, and will not hesitate to demote people’s tenancies or repossess homes if they are using them for illegal or immoral activities. 

The council and police will continue to work together to improve the situation in the area during the summer and beyond, and I encourage residents to continue to report anti-social behaviour. While I understand that there is still some way to go we are determined to build on the successes we have achieved. 
Cllr Abdul Hai
Cabinet Member for Community Safety