Progress is made in fight against crime in Hampstead

The litter, the blackened pavements, the Lime bikes, the tables and chairs scattered all over walkways, making it impossible to do a straight walk without having to navigate or move something out of the way.

The hated A-boards. Our shop assistants cowed by shoplifters.

We were an easy target.

What’s there not to like?

Our desirable, inviting, displays. A liberal, kind-hearted populace.

Complaints of antisocial behaviour and blatant criminal behaviour got nowhere.

Now no more.

After years of work, with the support of colleagues, my cries that services and forces should all join together to provide an all-round credible quality of service to citizens might at last be beginning to get through.

Cllr Linda Chung says that positive changes are being made to the streets of Hampstead (Image: Cllr Linda Chung)

I feel that, certainly on the security side, shop assistants are beginning to have the confidence to open their shop doors again.

The professional thieves, who knew how and where to make a quick getaway and hide their stash in hidden corners of Hampstead won’t find it quite so easy.

The security teams know each other now, they complement and respect each other’s roles.

It took some changes of leadership, and some proactive individuals to start to make it work.

There’s still a lot more to do.

I’m sorry that some businesses feel targeted on the new refuse collection enforcement regimes, and that A-boards are not permissible.

Those are issues that Camden need to get right.

There’s been no clarity of communication.

I was shocked at the announcement that the business rates annual consultation received no responses.

I should not have been surprised, I never received such when I worked in my high street office.

Hampstead is lucky to have business owners that live and work in Hampstead.

We very much need and welcome the “corporates” but they are a different species, and need different care and attention.

Both need to be fairly informed on what is, and is not, acceptable.

The boss who is around, needs to realise that it’s their own behaviour that needs to conform when it comes to reasonable pavement space, and not believe that because another is behaving badly they are also allowed to do so.

The bosses of the corporates should protect their staff by ensuring training and awareness of the rules around business conduct.

All feedback and comments on how things can be further improved are welcome, contact me at: linda.chung@camden.gov.uk

• Linda Chung is the Liberal Democrat councillor for Hampstead Town ward, Camden Council.