A thriving and safe part of London and gateway to Europe
Our goal is to make Camden a safer place while retaining its vibrancy.
Why this issue is important
Camden is a vibrant and culturally-rich place but also one where crime and anti-social
behaviour, particularly drugs, are a concern to many. Camden has a thriving
night-time economy based on pubs, clubs and restaurants.
A huge number of visitors
come to the borough and it is a major transport interchange for London. This
adds to the challenge of maintaining a high-quality urban environment, including
clean streets, which can contribute to feelings of safety.
Our challenge is to balance the vibrancy of the borough - and our role as a
borough at the heart of London - with the need to make it even safer than it
is now. King's Cross has a particularly important role to play as a renewed
urban quarter in the city.
What is already being done
Overall, crime in Camden
has fallen by just under 20% since 2003 through a combination of prevention
and enforcement. For example, about 300 drug dealers have been arrested in the
past 12 months.
A number of preventative approaches are being used in the borough including
parenting programmes and behaviour contracts such as Acceptable Behaviour Agreements.
Preventative action also includes licensing activity to promote a strong and
diverse late-night economy that ensures the safety and quality of life of local
residents.
More than 200 anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) have been issued
since 1999, mainly to adults.
ASBOs are used as a last resort after other interventions - such as mediation,
rehabilitation and diversionary activities - have failed to improve a person’s
behaviour. Here are some of the specific aims we are working towards:
- reducing overall crime and anti-social behaviour, particularly robbery and violent crime
- reducing fear of crime
- reducing the number of adult and young offenders who re-offend
- reducing the harm caused by alcohol and illegal drugs
- increasing the numbers of drug users in treatment programmes
- preventing children and young people becoming involved in bullying, anti-social behaviour and crime
What people have told us
Drugs and associated anti-social behaviour were a major theme of the public
consultation. Many residents felt that these issues seriously undermined quality
of life, particularly in some parts of the borough.
Camden Town was often mentioned as the area with the most visible drugs problem.
People wanted to be informed about how we tackle crime and anti-social behaviour
and to be part of the solutions. People felt that King’s Cross should be
developed in a way that brings benefits for local people.
What the Council and its partners will do
- harness opportunities to create a new and exciting quarter for London at King’s Cross, including its development into a cultural hub and gateway for London
- make it easier for residents to report anti-social behaviour
- tackle the causes of anti-social behaviour. For example, by providing parental support, backed up with enforcement measures
- improve bullying and racist incident monitoring systems, and access to support in relation to bullying, harassment, racism and crime
- make sure that Camden’s diverse communities play a part in making our neighbourhoods safer
- reduce fear of crime by working in partnership with the community, empowering people to make decisions and providing timely information about community safety in local areas
How local people can contribute
- reporting anti-social behaviour and taking a stand in your local community
- becoming a Special Constable or volunteering with the local police force to enable more officers to be released to the frontline
- getting involved in Safer Neighbourhood Panels or Community Payback schemes where residents can decide on local projects for offenders serving community orders
- mentoring a young person.
- not buying counterfeit goods from illegal street traders
