RIOTS: Message from Labour council leader Nasim Ali : 'We can do this together'

AT the time of writing a massively increased police presence is beginning to quell the tide of the terrible destruction and criminality we have seen in London. To see these shocking scenes spreading to other parts of the country too is beyond comprehension and is to be condemned in every sense.

I have seen for myself the direct effects in Camden of the destruction and disorder, particularly in Camden Town and the Chalk Farm Road area. The police had a hugely difficult job to do and worked tirelessly until 5am on Tuesday morning to prevent even more damage and looting.

This destructive behaviour has had a direct affect on businesses and the livelihoods of hard working citizens, in Camden and beyond.

As a youth and community worker I have experience of youth unrest, but I have never seen anything on this scale. I was so pleased to see the positive response of residents who turned out early Tuesday morning to help with the clean up. The efficiency of Camden staff and contractors meant that the work was done, but that didn’t stop residents going to help their fellow Londoners in Clapham. This spirit of civic mindedness is exactly what we need to show, demonstrating that there is no place in our society for this kind of behaviour.

The Council has rightly focussed on supporting the police and other emergency services to maintain order and protect people and property. We will continue to do that for as long as it takes.
 

While we’re working hard to get back to normal safety remains our first priority and we will follow any advice to close services early where residents or staff might be put at risk.

Our youth services team was also working hard to help prevent any further incidents in the borough. Staff made contact with 269 young people we already work with, along with their parents, and also sent 843 text messages to young people to help them stay out of trouble. We will continue to work with young people across the borough.

Along with my fellow councillors I have, as always, been out and about talking with and listening to our electors. We have heard the shock and horror people have expressed at the mindless violence and blatant criminality. Most have fortunately only seen the violence on the television screens rather than experienced it first hand – but our thoughts go out to all those in Camden and across the country who have been affected.

We have heard too of the fear that those images have engendered. Many feel that nowhere is safe and no one can be confident of escaping the next wave of violence. Elderly citizens in particular are choosing to stay at home alone rather than go out to lead their normal lives.

We have also heard the real anger people feel at this mindless violence that has been wreaked on our city. Real anger that wanton criminality has robbed people of their homes and livelihoods. Real anger that our country's reputation has been trashed abroad. Real anger that as we struggle with cuts and job losses the situation has been made worse by mindless looters.

I believe that as well as supporting the police and delivering services across the borough the Council has a role to bring people together to talk about these real concerns.
 

When the situation is improved we will bring people together through resident discussion groups. These will be an opportunity for us to examine the underlying causes and develop an appropriate response. They will also provide an opportunity for you to feedback your views on how the situation was policed as well as feed into any review the Government holds. What more could we have done to help at the time is always important to ask.

Most of all I hope it will provide the opportunity to develop the goodwill and citizenship shown by the volunteer clean up crews to contribute to longer term recovery and future prevention. As a borough Camden has always prided itself on its diversity and its cohesiveness.

But we want to hear your thoughts now too. We have set up a discussion group on your online community wearecamden.org Here we want you to tell us how we can continue to support you, whether you have been directly or indirectly affected. But it’s not just about talking to us, use this as a forum where you can talk to and support each other – continuing the fantastic response we have already seen.

We all want Camden to continue to be a place where people from all backgrounds live and work happily together and where people are not afraid for their safety.

You have told us that people in your neighbourhoods get on well together. We share that community spirit and that will be so important if we are to emerge stronger from these difficult times.

We can only do this together.