Safer Neighbourhoods teams set up Finsbury Park dispersal zone
By LiseS | Monday, January 03, 2011, 14:46
Tollington and Finsbury Park Safer Neighbourhoods Teams are working with Islington Council on an operation to tackle drug-related crime and antisocial behaviour by groups of young people around Finsbury Park in response to concerns raised by local people.
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Rowdy groups of young people can be moved on by police
A five-month dispersal zone has been introduced around the Wray Crescent Park, Six Acres and Andover estates, giving police the power to move on groups of two or more youths likely to be involved in crime or anti-social behaviour. Those who fail to comply with police requests to move on face arrest.
Anti-social behaviour and drug dealing are two of the biggest concerns raised by residents in Tollington and Finsbury Park wards, and this action aims to reduce intimidation of residents by groups of youths by improving police visibility and dispersing large groups before trouble starts.
A similar scheme in Isledon Park last year succeeded in lowering incidence of crime and anti-social behaviour in that area, The Safer Neighbourhoods teams have powers to obtain ASBOs against persistent offenders and to arrest anyone breaching an order. The Finsbury Park order will continue until May 19 this year. Sergeant Chris Walsh of Finsbury Park SNT hopes to find permanent solutions to crime and public order problems by that time.
To report anti-social behaviour or drug dealing in Finsbury Park call the Safer Neighbourhoods Team on 020 8721 2778 or Tollington SNT on 020 7421 0559. To report a crime which has already taken place, call 0300 123 1212. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Image courtesy of SIN Cru
Comments
What do other readers think?
By LiseS at 18:37 on 17/01/11
ReportMy honest feeling is that I've never had a particular problem in Finsbury Park; I've often come home on the tube late at night asa lone woman and not felt threatened either on the tube, at the station, or on the walk home. Crime isn't zero anywhere in London, and living in any big city means taking sensible precautions. Take a look at http://tinyurl.com/5w6cjc - it has some useful data on crime trends and you can search by subward, which give detail about usefully small areas.
By LiseS at 18:37 on 17/01/11
ReportHi,
my partner and I are considering buying a flat on 31 somerfleld road. My partner is a bit worried by what we heard about crime and people hanging about the tube and the park. Could you tell us what is the everydaylife in the area? how safe a woman can feel during the day or at night? than you so much.
By outis at 18:13 on 17/01/11
Report