We need our police

Published: September 8, 2011

I WENT to the Camden summit about the riots in Chalk Farm (Mounting resentment of stop-and-search dominates post-riot summit, September 1).

The police do need to deal sensitively with young people but that doesn’t mean that there should be fewer of them on the street.

In fact young people are the group most likely to be victims of crime themselves.

We need the police to protect our young people in Camden, and that is why it is so outrageous that government cuts will mean 50 fewer officers in the borough and why I am campaigning to save our police here and across London.

The police, as well as youth workers and schools, need to provide order and things for young people to do and places to go, otherwise it is gangs who provide the order and the sense of purpose.

At Queen’s Crescent Community Centre, where I am vice-chair, we make youth work a priority and are working with others including the Corporation of London on Hampstead Heath to make sure that all young people can benefit from the amazing amenities which Camden has to offer.
Sally Gimson
Labour Party candidate
Highgate by-election