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Camden Council and the police are teaming up to ensure youth crime and antisocial behaviour does not spoil the summer break this year. To coincide with the school summer holidays a six-week operation has been launched, which aims to target known youth crime suspects and will provide high visibility patrols at hotspots. The operation - which starts on Monday, 21 July - will involve the police, street wardens, youth disorder and engagement officers, parks patrols, housing patrols, street environment officers, trading standards, and district housing officers. Targeted patrols will take place across Camden including areas around schools and in other areas where there have been problems in the past. The aim of the patrols is to provide reassurance and deter any would-be troublemakers. Other activities will include:
· Street wardens will use handheld CCTV cameras to record incidents of youth crime and antisocial behaviour to gather evidence and act as a deterrent.
· An extensive summer activities programme, which will reach nearly 1,000 young people from all over the borough.
· Street wardens, parks patrol, environmental officers and caretakers will be checking areas for knives and other weapons
· Patrols will be stepped up in hotspot areas to deter any potential youth-related disorder
· The Council's CCTV van will be touring the borough to gather evidence and deter trouble
· Council and police officers will make home visits to young people involved in gangs
· Street environment officers will monitor waste contracts to ensure potential weapons are being picked up
· Trading standards to send letters to all retailers in Camden to remind them of underage legislation with regards to alcohol, knives and cigarettes. Test purchasing operations with young people will also take place. Leader of Camden Council, Cllr Keith Moffitt said: "The Council is determined to give our young people every opportunity to succeed in life and at the same time to drive down youth-related disorder.
"We have invested more in youth services this year than ever before and we've recently launched an extensive summer activities programme which will reach nearly 1,000 young people from all over the borough." Cllr James King, Executive Member for Community Safety, said: "It's important to note that the overwhelming majority of young people in Camden are not involved in youth crime at all - in fact crime in Camden is down by 22 per cent. "However following the recent tragic events in both Camden and neighbouring borough Islington, the Council is ever more conscious about clamping down on any potential risk of any youth related violence. This latest operation aims to nip problem behaviour in the bud from the off and ensure the summer holidays are enjoyable for all." Superintendent Paul Morris said: "The summer period for young people should be one to look forward to and I am pleased that together, we are being very visible at this time, to both reassure young people and equally, to reinforce the message that criminal and anti social activities will not be tolerated in Camden. "I am hopeful that this partnership initiative will allow young people to take advantage of the events planned for this period and dissuade the disruptive minority from spoiling what should be a happy holiday break." http://www.camden.gov.uk/ |
