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We need firm action to rid estate of gang ringleaders
• I WOULD like to publicly thank the Borough Commander, Chief Superintendent Mike Wise, for visiting us at the Elthorne estate. He came to walk around and meet residents, to see first hand the kind of issues we have with crime and anti-social behaviour.
Thanks also to our councillor, Greg Foxsmith, for helping set up the visit.
Residents of the Elthorne estate have been having trouble with gangs of youths, often from other areas, causing anti-social behaviour. We needed to know that the police and the council were taking our problems seriously.
The chief superintendent convinced me that they were. The police and the council have agreed a dispersal order for the estate and Elthorne Park, so they now have an efficient means of dealing with anti-social behaviour in our area.
A dispersal order lets the police break up the gangs of young men that congregate in intimidating groups of up to 20 or more, loitering, drinking, intimidating people and worse. But this can’t be an end in itself. The police have said they will increase their presence in the dispersal zone, and we need them to take firm action on the ringleaders.
We also need the council to help steer young people into the many positive activities available in the area, like the boxing club, youth club or football club.
Homes for Islington (HfI) needs to install CCTV cameras on the estate.
Our councillors have already agreed money for them from the council’s ward budget, and HfI must put them in as soon as possible. HfI must also take action if its tenants are responsible for anti-social behaviour. I want residents of the neighbourhood to have the confidence to report problems to the police. Working together we can make the Elthorne a better and safer place for us to live in.
Lorraine Constantino
Brooke Park Tenant Management
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