Vulnerable and worried residents took the opportunity to share their concerns with police representatives from Camden in an open meeting yesterday evening.
Organised by Tulip Siddiq MP, people sat down with officers to share their experiences and seek reassurance that the police were active in combatting moped crime.
Recent statistics show that Camden has seen more moped-related crime than anywhere else in London, with 4,147 recorded in the borough betwene January and September of this year.
The open forum took place at Swiss Cottage Community Centre, and Ms Siddiq was accompanied by Inspector Richard Berns from Camden’s Safe Neighbourhood Team, Inspector Lynne Foster from Kilburn Safe Neighbourhood Team, DI Greg Coates from Operation Attrition, Camden and Islington motor crime, and constables Jim Craig and Simon Bishop.
Unlike a public meeting, attendees were offered the chance to have one on one chats with the police.
Margaret Philips from West Hampstead said it was a “great set-up”.
“I think this is a great initiative. It was a really quick response from the MP and police to set this up. I spoke to Inspector Berns about walking round with my phone.
“He advised that when I’m at a bus stop, I should stand agaisnt the world and try and conceal myself because then you’re much less likely to be targeted.
Carlie Newman from Belsize Park wanted to meet the local police in an attempt to reassure herself that the street were safe. Ms Newman, who is in her seventies, says she is “scared” to walk and has resorted to taking really short car journeys instead.
“I really want the streets to be safer but I just don’t see any police around. If I do see a policeman, all I want to do is ask them to accompany me home,” she said.
Following the meeting, Tulip Sidiq, MP for Hampstead and Kilburn said: “I found the drop-in event to be an extremely useful exercise for all those who participated. The police were able to hear first-hand testimonies from residents who have been affected by moped crime, and in turn, residents heard exactly what steps the police are taking to make our area safe.
“Everybody wants to see an end to the scourge of violent crime in Hampstead and Kilburn, and I fully intend to continue providing residents with a voice on this issue in the weeks and months ahead.”
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