Forum topic: Residents' 'fear and lack of trust' prompts Palmers Green crime walkabout by politicians and police officers

A recent walkabout of reported crime and ASB hotspots in Palmers Green by councillors and senior police officers was prompted by a letter from the local MP passing on concerns from constituents about incidents such as drug dealing carried out in broad daylight, leading to some residents "withdrawing from their community" due to "fear and lack of trust".

MP, councillors and police officers in Devonshire Square during their PG walkabout in the rain: council leader Ergin Erbil (3rd from left); Bambos Charalambous MP (2nd from right); Cllr Doug Taylor (far right) 

The Palmers Green walkabout was held at the initiative of Southgate & Wood Green MP Bambos Charalambous, and took place last weekend. The MP was accompanied by the leader of Enfield Council, Ergin Erbil, Palmers Green Ward councillor Doug Taylor and three police officers.

The walkabout was arranged after Bambos wrote to Enfield Council leader Ergin Erbil and Detective Superintendent Marco Bardetti in September, passing on concerns expressed by "many residents" about the current level of crime and antisocial behaviour, particularly drug dealing, noting that many people "report that these incidents occur openly, in broad daylight, and on residential streets". Constituents were, he wrote, saying that they felt increasingly unsafe, were questioning a "lack of preventative measures and visible police presence", and in some cases were "withdrawing from their community and high streets due to fear and lack of trust".

The MP's letter also reported concerns about "suspected illegal business practices", which have "led to a growing sense of unease and raised questions about the regulations that are governing businesses". The MP stresses the importance of residents feeling safe and "assured that effective measures are in place to prevent both anti-social behaviour and unlawful business activity", and expresses a desire to work more closely with the council and the borough commander to address concerns and enhance safety.

The full text of the letteris at the end of this report. It was included in Bambos's regular email newsletter to constituents. Additionally, he published the following statement on his website, including a link to mobile phone camera footage recorded during the tour.

In response to an invitation to comment and for an update, Bambos replied:

As a result of recent discussions, I am hoping for additional security measures from Enfield Council such as CCTV, increased lighting and, when appropriate, enhanced patrols at hotspots by the Safer Neighbourhood Team.

He also wrote that, "due to public demand and the success of the walkabout, we are hoping to do another one elsewhere in the borough", which would involve the council leader, environmental officers and police.