MAJOR FUNDING BOOST TO HELP CUT CRIME IN CAMDEN

18th June 2007

CAMDEN Council is giving the fight against crime a major boost by investing £130,000 in the police.

The latest crime figures for Camden have concerned the council and it recognises more needs to be done to support the police in tackling crime.

The council's most recent cash injection will be made available immediately to support police operations against crime in Camden.

In the first instance, targeted "Weeks of Action" events will be held throughout July focusing police resources on the people who commit most crime and the places where their activities take place.

The action will be led by the police, and supported by the council and other partners, with the aim of having a direct and visible impact on reducing crime in the borough.

Weeks of Action events will include addressing youth related crime and disorder by targeting known hot spots throughout the month. In addition shops that sell drug related equipment would also be visited.

The council has already given police power a huge boost by investing an additional £300,000 to tackle street drug dealing in Camden Town. The cash will fund 18 additional police community support officers for two years, with ten due by the end of July.

In addition the police are providing ten additional police officers for Camden Town to tackle the aggressive drugs market - a top priority for residents in all parts of the borough.

Both the council and local police believe this enhanced visible police presence is a critical part of the answer to the destructive drugs market in Camden Town, particularly the sale of cannabis, alongside a package of environmental and physical improvements to the area.

Cllr Keith Moffitt, Leader of Camden Council, said:

"Crime is a serious concern and an area where we need to do more, to reduce criminal activity in the borough and the fear of crime. Crime is something that concerns all of us and we know from the community strategy that drugs and other crime are very high up the list of problems our residents' want addressed. This cash injection demonstrates the council's continued commitment to tackle crime with the police and other partners."

Mark Heath, Camden police borough commander, said:

"This additional funding from the Local Area Agreement budget will contribute and assist in delivering continued crime reduction, supporting and enabling the partnership to meet the public-agreed target on tackling crime."

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