‘We need help to beat youth violence’, say Camden police - CNJ join the Borough's night patrol

Published: 16 June 2011
by JOSIE HINTON

SINCE taking the reins of Camden policing last year, Borough Commander John Sutherland set out his number one priority to tackle serious youth violence.

As the man in charge of the Islington force when 16-year-old Ben Kinsella was stabbed to death in 2008, he has been clear with his officers that he does not want another senseless teenage murder on his watch.

While Camden’s gang problem is not considered serious enough to rival boroughs such as Haringey or Hackney, that has not stopped young lives being lost.

Two months ago a 22-year-old man from Swiss Cottage died from stab wounds to the neck and chest after being attacked on the Abbey estate in broad daylight.

Less than a month later, a 21-year-old shot himself in the leg during an incident in Haverstock Hill.

Superintendent Raj Kohli, the borough’s most senior officer dealing with youth violence, told the New Journal the response to recent clashes has been robust.

A dedicated team has been set up comprising an inspector, three sergeants and up to 40 officers focusing specifically on gang crime.

Although still a new unit, a “week of action” last week saw officers recover weapons including six knives and two screwdrivers – they also made 10 arrests, which they considered “significant”.

“As a result of some of the incidents in the last year I’ve re-profiled my response and now have 40 officers dealing specifically with gangs,” said Supt Kohli.

“The response is around three strands: enforcement, that is, let’s get them locked up, engagement, let’s talk to people, and education, let’s get into primary schools and influence children not to behave in a violent manner.”

The New Journal joined the new unit on Saturday night amid the week-long blitz on youth crime. Just a few minutes into the patrol and I am told someone has been arrested for driving offences relating to a moped. I learn they are used as “weapons” against the police and public. Troublemakers use them to terrorise pavements and carry out robberies in the knowledge the Met has a policy of not generating more danger by chasing them.

Once arrested we visit the boy’s sister, who explains he is unable to find work, bored and frustrated and he has got in with the wrong crowd.

Another call comes through stating a man banned from Queen’s Crescent has been spotted in the area, breaking his curfew. The blue lights go on, but he has already scarpered by the time we arrive.

Officers on the frontlines say that even when serious violence has occurred against close friends, many teenagers choose to stay silent rather than risk being seen as a “grass”.

The issue was the subject of a meeting held in the Mortimer estate in Kilburn on Monday night, close to where the fatal stabbing occurred. It was clear the problem extends to entire communities.

“People on this estate won’t ring the council and they won’t ring the police because they are scared,” said one resident. 

Estate housing manager Laura Day stressed the importance of community involvement.

“I understand why people don’t want to report trouble but there is strength in numbers,” she said. “We’ve got a witness support team that can protect you and support you. We can take action, but we need witnesses that are willing to stand up in court.”

A dispersal zone, whereby police have the power to disperse large groups of teens, covering parts of Swiss Cottage, Kilburn and South Hampstead has been extended until November.

Community safety boss Councillor Abdul Hai said: “We need to get communities to stand up and say, you can’t be going round carrying weapons – violence won’t solve anything’.”