Powers ensure neighbourhoods are safer

Published: 5 August, 2010

• THE announcement that the government plans to review anti-social behaviour legislation could have a worrying impact in Camden, where the council and police have used the legislation more extensively and successfully than in many other areas.  

The new government talks of localism, but we are very concerned that they could take away the very powers we have used to make our neighbourhoods safer over the last 10 years.

Camden Council, in partnership with the police, has granted 460 Asbos since they were introduced in 1999. 

We have used the powers available successfully to tackle a broad range of issues, including street activity, drug activity, neighbour nuisance and youth disorder.

Apart from Asbos Camden uses a range of anti-social behaviour legislation, including anti-social behaviour injunctions and premises closure orders.

These have been particularly successful in tackling housing issues where we have closed down properties for a period of time when they have been used for activities such as drug dealing and prostitution.

This has broken the cycle of offending and improved the lives of many residents.

New Journal readers will know how these issues affect their estates and streets.

I ask residents to join with us in our lobbying to ensure that the council retains the ability to act effectively with the police, Police Community Support Officers and street wardens as these powers are reviewed by the new government later this year.

CLLR ABDUL HAI
Cabinet Member for Community Safety