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Camden New Journal - by SARA NEWMAN
Published: 13 September 2007

Cllr Nasim Ali

Ex-mayor hit by theft

A UNIQUE badge presented to a former Mayor in recognition of his service to the people of Camden has been stolen – and now the heartbroken councillor is offering a reward for its safe return.
The home of Labour councillor Nasim Ali, who held the office between 2003 and 2004, was ransacked by burglars on Tuesday afternoon.
The thieves got away with a 40 inch flat screen TV, a camcorder, in-car DVD player and 200 DVDs.
But what really hurt was the theft of his mayoral badge.
He said: “It’s an irreplaceable piece of my history.”
Mr Ali, who lives in Maitland Park Road, Chalk Farm, with his young family, added the break-in had left his toddler feeling nervous.
He said: “My three-year-old son says he can hear footsteps and see shadows.
“The biggest issue is the intrusion of our privacy. My wife and my kids could have come face to face with the burglars. They might have pushed my wife down the stairs, and she’s pregnant.
“I am happy that my family are OK. The TV and other stuff – we can buy new ones.”
But the councillor, who has served two terms, added he was not looking to condemn the culprits. He said: “We need to invest more in facilities and services for young people.
“There’s always kids hanging around with nothing to do.
“We need to take them away from crime, drugs and anti-social behaviour and convince the youngsters that there’s a better way of life.”
Another badge belonging to Cllr Ali’s son, Rio, was not stolen.
And in a message to the burglars, he told them to turn away from a life of crime.
He said: “Get your qualifications and have a good time and buy a good television for yourself rather than causing aggravation and instilling fear in people.”

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