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Teams offer dedicated and positive policing, ward by ward
• I SUPPOSE any local newspaper in a slow month will be tempted to find an issue around which to create those good old journalistic standbys, fear, uncertainty and doubt (Neighbourhood safety meetings snub for public, August 13).
In fact, Safer Neighbourhoods initiatives in Camden, together with
all-volunteer forums such as the Camden police consultative group, have undoubtedly made an effective contribution to the current level of public confidence in policing in Camden – some 92 per cent – and the year-on-year reduction in reported crime in the borough.
Obviously different wards face different challenges, but the Safer Neighbourhoods offer – dedicated local policing on a ward-by-ward basis – has overall proved a pragmatic and positive way of tackling local issues. Make no mistake, energetic Safer Neighbourhoods panel chairs are always looking for volunteers to support diversity on their panels and at their regular meetings, as well as discussing with their police teams better ways of engaging with the public at large, at the same time recognising that results may come in the longer term rather than overnight.
It may well be that today’s 17-year-old, impatient of “boring” community meetings may feel differently about taking part in such a group in five or even 10 years’ time.
It’s up to volunteer groups such as Safer Neighbourhoods panels and Camden Community and Police Consultative Group to ensure that those opportunities will still exist.
CHRIS FAGG
Chair, Gospel Oak Safer Neighbourhoods Citizens’ Panel
No ‘snub’
• I WOULD like to reassure both local businesses and residents that the public in Hampstead Town ward have never been snubbed, and never will be while I remain Safer Neighbourhoods chair, and my Safer Neighbourhoods sergeant and inspector remain in post .
We were the first panel in Camden (some years ago) to welcome the local press to our meetings, and they have been present on many occasions both at our panel meetings and our public meetings .
Our public meetings are held twice a year , and are very widely advertised.
The new Safer Neighbourhoods team surgery meetings are naturally open to all the public and are clearly advertised both on the internet and on the notice boards outside Hampstead police station .
We also have a record of accepting local deputations to our panel meetings and, not surprisingly, this policy has proved successful in hearing genuine concerns and complaints first hand and thus enabling the police and Camden Council to defuse potential conflicts at an early stage .
These general principles will remain unchanged , and I have to say that I find the police management views as expressed in your article both confusing and unhelpful to the Safer Neighbourhoods partnership cause.
NIGEL STEWARD
Chair Hampstead Safer Neighbourhoods Panel
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