• MANY thanks to those who attended to discuss policing and community safety in Gospel Oak ward.

While we heard a real appreciation of the constraints on police resources, there were also deep concerns about increasing anti-social behaviour and open drug dealing.

Statistics bear this out: in a two-year period, Gospel Oak has gone from a reported crime rate of seven to eight per 1,000 residents to a current 12.6 – getting on for double.

At the same time there were worries over the effectiveness of council efforts on community safety. People were not clear of the remit of the housing patrol, for which council tenants pay a substantial annual premium.

Finally, people expressed disappointment at the council’s efforts in holding parents to account for the behaviour of their children, and in dealing with long-running neighbourhood disputes where mental health issues are involved.

I’m sure Gospel Oak is not alone in these concerns, which also show that community safety cannot simply be the remit of the police alone but needs all the active commitment that Camden Council can bring to bear.

It’s clear from meetings like this communities are anxious to help and, whatever the cuts, it is the responsibility of local government to improve real, effective opportunities for such engagement to happen.

CHRIS FAGG
Chair, Gospel Oak Safer Neighbourhood Panel