Pay us a visit

Published: 20 January, 2011

• WHAT, fearlessly quoting his plumber, and without even leaving his kitchen, John Gulliver (January 13) follows the usual New Journal line of portraying Gospel Oak and Queen’s Crescent as a drug-driven urban wasteland. 

The facts are very different:

• Gospel Oak, which covers much of Queen’s Crescent, has the fourth lowest crime rate of all 18 Camden wards.

• At four drug offences per thousand of population over 10 months, Gospel Oak registers barely one third of the rate of the borough as a whole.

• Queen’s Crescent Community Centre delivers programmes and events for every age group in the population.

• Over 100 residents, representing vibrant tenants’ and residents’ associations in the community at large, have been attending meetings with Camden Council designed to produce   community/ council partnership to drive positive future development for the area.

So, the real community, as opposed to John Gulliver’s gloomy media fantasy, is active, positive and planning for the future. 

Like any inner-London population it has its problems, which it faces up to with good spirit and strong local volunteer groups. Perhaps John Gulliver should take his courage in both hands and leave his kitchen in order actually to visit the area!

CHRIS FAGG
Chair Gospel Oak Safer Neighbourhood Panel