Pubdate: Fri, 27 May 2005
Source: Hampstead And Highgate Express, The (UK)
Copyright: 2005 Archant Regional
Contact:  http://www.hamhigh.co.uk
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2597
Author: Caroline McClatchey

NEW FEARS OF SUMMER DRUG ADDICT INVASION

FRIGHTENED residents in Camden Town are calling for more police to ward off 
the summer invasion of drug dealers and addicts.

People living in Greenland Road, Carol Street and Bayham Street are 
literally stepping over addicts as they shoot up on their doorsteps.

The area is so plagued by anti-social behaviour, more than 400 neighbours 
have signed a petition demanding more police patrols and greater surveillance.

Aftab Ahmed, who runs Greenland Enterprise corner shop in Greenland Road, 
said: "They are sitting on our doorsteps, swearing and taking and selling 
drugs.

"They have the community running scared. Many local people are involved in 
the petition.

"The problems of King's Cross have been moved up here by the redevelopment.

"It started last summer and died away with the winter. Now, with the better 
weather, they are coming back and increasing every day."

A resident, who did not wish to be named, said: "Most of the dealers and 
addicts are familiar to us as we pass them on our way to Sainsbury's every day.

"If we know them, why don't the police?"

Drug crime in Camden has fallen slightly with 438 offences, mostly for 
possession, recorded from May-July 2004 compared to 405 from February-April 
2005. Pat Callaghan, councillor for the Camden Town with Primrose Hill 
ward, said: "It was awful last summer with people shooting up on doorsteps.

"And now the lighter nights and better weather are bringing them back out 
in force. It's very residential and there has been extra policing down there.

"But I think the police will have to look at it yet again."

Camden Council is currently refurbishing homes in Carol Street and every 
night temporary gates have to be erected between portable buildings and 
houses to stop addicts congregating.

Ms Callaghan added that the new police base planned for the former Camden 
Town Neighbourhood Advice Centre (CTNAC) in Greenland Road would help drive 
away the drug element.

The run-down grade II-listed building has been boarded up for more than a 
year after the CTNAC's volunteers were evicted for not raising enough funds 
to cover costs.

Renovations are due to start this summer to provide a base for Camden 
Town's Safer Neighbourhoods police unit.

The anti-drugs petition is to be handed over to the Camden Town ward 
councillors today outside the former Neighbourhood Centre.

A copy has already been sent to Inspector John Daly of Kentish Town Police, 
who was unavailable for comment.
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