• THERE is a theory that says crime is highest in areas where the maintenance of the public realm is at its worst. In essence, in areas where litter is not picked up and fly-tipping goes unchallenged one should expect crime to go up.

It’s “The Broken Window Theory”. If it’s correct, then it may explain why over the past year crime in West Hampstead and Fortune Green has become out of control.

In the past two weeks alone, a dry cleaner and a beauty shop have been targeted by criminals, cars parked in the area have been vandalised and a local bar has had its glass door smashed in an attempted burglary.

Coincidental with all of this has been the marked degradation of the public realm as the reduced, council, rubbish collection has taken effect.

Each day, as I walk along the litter-strewn Fortune Green Road, scattered with fly-tipped, rubbish bags, torn open by rats and foxes, I wonder where exactly my council tax is being spent by this Labour council.

I also wonder why it is my ward Labour councillor, who wields the power of a cabinet member, isn’t doing anything to improve matters in the ward where he actually lives.

Has he no pride? Has he no shame? Can he not see, as do his neighbours, the connection between increased crime levels in this neighbourhood and its forsaken appearance?

KEITH SEDGWICK
Fortune Green Road, NW6