Press Release

SUPER POLICE FORCE TO SMASH DRUGS MARKET IN CAMDEN TOWN

10/10/07

WHAT: 18 new Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) start work in Camden Town. The boost in police power aims to tackle the aggressive drugs market resulting in a Camden Town which is a safer and better place to live, work and visit.

WHERE: Inverness Street, Camden Town

WHEN: 2pm, Friday 19 October 2007

THE battle to drive down crime and drug dealing in Camden Town is to receive a major boost following the arrival of 18 new Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) on Friday 19 October 2007.

The extra police power, jointly funded by Camden Council and the police, marks the beginning of a two-year drive to clean-up the area.

The officers aim to dramatically reduce the cannabis market in Camden Town - a top priority for residents in the borough - by working alongside the regular police officers to frustrate the activities of the drug dealers, occupy their space and provide additional evidence to enable action to be taken against them.

On top of the 18 new PCSOs, ten additional police officers will also now patrol the area bringing the total police power up to nearly 50 officers dedicated to Camden Town.

The significant investment marks the beginning of a major venture, led by the Council and Camden police, to bring together public services, businesses and residents to make Camden Town a safer and more enjoyable place to live, work and visit.

The project includes a package of environmental and physical improvements to the area such as:

• More than £100,000 which has been invested in improving the pedestrian and shopping environment of Camden Town with new pavements, lighting and plants
• Iconic Camden Lock bridge recently received a fresh lick of paint to brighten it up
• Inverness Street has been given a facelift with a new market layout and market stalls, which improve visibility up and down the street making it harder for drug dealing to take place
• In the longer term London Underground plans to transform Camden Town tube station.

Following calls from residents, businesses and others, Camden Council announced in February this year its decision to invest £300,000 (1) to fund the additional PCSOs.

Leader of the Council, Cllr Keith Moffitt, said:

"We have listened to residents' calls for strong action to be taken against the drugs market in Camden Town and we have responded by making this significant investment in a strong police presence. The Council can now kick-start a focussed and co-ordinated effort to break the drugs market and make real progress towards a safer Camden Town for all."

Cllr Ben Rawlings, Executive Member for Community Safety, said:

"This new, dedicated police force aims to directly challenge the aggressive drugs market in Camden Town, while the Council and other partners work on other environmental issues and long-term solutions. We want to see a Camden Town which is safe for all who live, work and visit it but still keeps that special vibrancy which makes the area one of the most unique places in the world."

Ch Insp Paul Morris, Camden police, said, "The additional officers in Camden Town will provide an enhanced visible presence in the area, which is a critical part of the answer to tackling the drugs market, particularly the sale of cannabis.  However, the partnership between the Council and the police needs to be widened to include more of the business community, as it is only by all of us working together, that we will be able to combat this type of crime and anti-social behaviour. Not only will Camden Town be safer, but it will also improve everyone's quality of life."