Bemerton Residents Tell Barry How It Is

Labour Councillor Lisa Spall, Borough Commander Barry Norman, Bemerton Resident & Emily	Labour Councillor Lisa Spall, Borough Commander Barry Norman & Emily

Tuesday 11th October 2005

Over fifty residents of the Bemerton Estate told Islington Borough Commander Barry Norman, in a meeting chaired by Emily Thornberry MP, that the crime and anti-social behaviour problems on the estate had to be sorted out.

He was told about crack houses, drug dealing and intimidation on the Bemerton Estate. One resident told a horrendous tale of telling a prostitute to work somewhere other than by the rubbish chute, only to be threatened with a needle. Another told of constant intimidation by youths on the estate.

Emily Thornberry MP said:

‘Clearly Bemerton residents are very frustrated about the anti-social behaviour they experience in their daily lives.  People don’t feel safe on their own doorsteps, with prostitutes using stairwells and known crack houses on the estate. The government has given powers to the Police and Council to deal with the problem. In Camden, the Labour Council has been using those powers, and Camden has seen a 10.5% fall in crime. The Liberal Democrat Council in Islington has not been willing to use ASBOs and crime has fallen by only 3.5%. Islington residents deserve better. The Police and Council should be clearing these known offenders off the estate and shutting down the crack houses’

Councillor Lisa Spall said:

‘The Anti-Social Behaviour Act gave the police powers to shut down crack houses. At the Bemerton meeting residents said that there were at least four known crack houses. Why hasn’t the Council done something about it?’

One Bemerton resident said:

‘I went to throw my rubbish out one day and found a prostitute with a client by the rubbish chute. I told her to clear off but was threatened by her with a needle. When is something going to be done?’

Residents were given the mobile phone number of the Caledonian Safer Neighbourhood’s Team (07876132092) and told of plans to introduce limited CCTV on the estate.

Another Bemerton resident said:

‘I receive constant abuse from people hanging around the estate. This problem has to be dealt with, because it has become intolerable’

They were also told of the crisis in funding for youth work in the area. Father Jim Kennedy, from Copenhagen Youth Project, said that money that should be used in the Caledonian was being used elsewhere.

Steven Griffith, a Youth Worker for Copenhagen Youth Project said:

‘We know that there are young people out there who could be stopped from falling into trouble. However, our funding for youth work is under serious threat. Those people who the Council do send round simply don’t know the area. They put a football pitch in, but it doesn’t have any floodlights and so will be useless in winter!’

Emily Thornberry MP said:

‘The government has provided funds that could be used to tackle these problems but the council is using those funds on fancy projects like hanging baskets on Upper Street. The real need is on estates like the Bemerton, where we should be investing to keep kids off the street and using their time productively. Copenhagen Youth Project is doing a fantastic job.  We are blessed to have people like Steve working in the area, but unfortunately the Council is not giving it the support it needs and deserves.’