UK: Major clampdown on skunk dealers in Camden Town

[Lunar Loops]

This from the UKCIA website (http://www.ukcia.org/news/shownewsar...rticleid=12270):

UK: Major clampdown on skunk dealers in Camden Town

Ian Morgan
24dash.com

Friday 23 Feb 2007

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A huge boost to police power in Camden Town aims to dramatically reduce
the aggressive drugs market - and kick-start a two-year drive to
clean-up the area.

The significant investment marks the beginning of a major project led by
Camden Council and the police to bring together public services,
businesses and residents to make Camden Town a better place to live,
work and visit.

Following calls from residents, businesses and others, Camden Council is
investing £300,000 to fund an additional 18 PCSOs (Police Community
Support Officers) and the local police have agreed to dedicate an
additional ten police officers specifically to Camden Town.

The new police officers will be in place from mid 2007 to tackle the
aggressive cannabis market - only being sent to other areas of the
borough in major emergencies.

Tackling the drugs market in Camden Town is a top priority for residents
in all parts of the borough and that was a clear message from both the
recent consultation on the new Community Strategy and the council's
review of action to tackle anti-social behaviour.

The council and local police believe this enhanced visible police
presence is a critical part of the answer to the destructive drugs
market in Camden Town, particularly the sale of cannabis, alongside a
package of environmental and physical improvements to the area.

People have told the council they want a Camden Town that everyone can
enjoy - young, old and families - with a safe environment and a wider
offer of shops and restaurants.

The council is reviewing its planning guidance on food, drink and
entertainment to help bring about significant changes.

Cllr Ben Rawlings, Executive Member for Community Safety, said: "One
message came very clearly through both the anti-social behaviour review
and the Community Strategy consultation - Camden Town needs more police.
Making a real improvement in Camden Town will require everyone to play
their part, and the council knows that the local community and
businesses have already made good progress. With this investment in a
strong police presence, the council can kick-start a focussed and
co-ordinated effort to break the drugs market and make real progress
towards a safer Camden Town."

Cllr Keith Moffitt, Leader of Camden Council, said: "The Liberal
Democrat/Conservative administration is committed to tackling the
aggressive drugs market in Camden Town. It is one of London's greatest
landmarks and a critical part of the cultural heritage of the borough.
For too long the aggressive, visible cannabis market has blighted the
Camden Town experience and that is why we have been working closely with
the local police to secure this significant additional investment in the
area.

"The additional police power along with the existing Street Warden and
Safer Neighbourhood teams, means that there will be a strong uniformed
presence in Camden Town to crack down on the drugs market and make it a
safer place."

Cllr Andrew Marshall, Deputy Leader of Camden Council, said: "As part of
our Community Strategy consultation, we received overwhelming feedback
that our local residents want to see a Camden Town where drug dealing,
especially visible dealing, is dramatically reduced. The council also
agrees with local residents that we need to keep Camden Town's unique
character while offering more in the area for locals and visitors of all
tastes and ages. The additional PCSOs and other projects we're working
on will help make it a reality."

Mark Heath, Camden Police Borough Commander, said: "I welcome this joint
partnership initiative to provide an increased uniform presence in
Camden Town. This two-year investment provides the opportunity to make a
significant difference by providing high degrees of visibility to match
the enormous numbers of visitors to this, one of the most popular
tourist attractions in London.

"However, for this investment to truly pay off there needs to be a much
wider responsibility to actually change the reasons why Camden Town has
been like this for so long. Success will mean that Camden Town is no
longer associated with the place to go 'if you want to buy cannabis."

The full council is due to agree the final budget at its meeting on
February 28.

[Alicia]

LOL heheheh these posts never cease to amaze swia. specially when they relise they cant come down on it complety I mean presides dont they have more to do like real crime to concentrate one

[CRUNK]

Originally Posted by shroomonger

The council and local police believe this enhanced visible police
presence is a critical part of the answer to the destructive drugs
market in Camden Town, particularly the sale of cannabis,

Their focusing on cannabis? Boy if they only knew about Methampetamine or Heroin!

[brown_thing]

camden was where swims pot dealer used to live but he moved this month because of the pressure on dealers there. but i know what they mean by the cannabis trade being aggressive SWIM was mugged there trying to buy hash and SWIM never gets mugged because of his size not even in the back streets of the dam or soho. but it's just crack heads and junkies with knives posing as dealers and then mugging you. The main problems the amount of competition, and yes it was nice when they sold shrooms legally but now it's just seedy , it's good they are trying to clean it up.

[rizla677]

yeah only a matter of time. sucks tho. camden was a place swim could always goto if no one else could help. still brixton tis just as bad cna always score bud there. the dealers are just gonna move somewhere else.

[Nagognog2]

Please read this before doing jack:

http://www.drugs-forum.com/forum/showthread.php?t=26621