Caledonian Park, Holloway, Islington

Islington Gazette - CCTV cameras now go in to parks : "'In one point of view CCTV helps the fight against crime by making the act of crime visible but often the quality is so poor - or the camera is facing the other way.' Councillor Marisha Ray (Liberal Democrat), Islington's executive member for community safety, said: 'Putting cameras in parks is not the only answer to issues like anti-social behaviour. We use a variety of measures depending on the nature of the problem reported. 'It's important our crime response is based on the needs of the local community and existing security measures - so we are liaising with safer neighbourhoods teams and their panels made up of local people."

Islington Tribune - News: MP in training for husky trek across Arctic Circle : " Emily Thornberry with fitness instructor Serbo at the Virgin gym MP in training for husky trek across Arctic Circle Fundraiser prepares for -40C temperatures on charity challenge NEW Year resolutions to go to the gym more often are hardly unusual, but in MP Emily Thornberry’s case, the stakes are particularly high. The Islington South and Finsbury Labour MP is entering the final preparations for her 400km charity trek across the Arctic Circle in "

Islington Gazette - Broken promises on 'yob estate' : "A spokeswoman for Homes for Islington (HfI), responsible for part of the estate, said: 'HfI originally planned to launch a small CCTV scheme on the Marquess Estate in the summer 2005. However, in February 2006 Southern Housing Group expressed an interest in working jointly with HfI to install a more comprehensive CCTV system in which most of the main roads and junctions would be covered. 'The scheme will provide more comprehensive coverage of the area when it is launched. However, its increased size meant we had to apply for planning permission and put data protection protocols in place. Residents have been kept fully informed on the scheme's progress via area meetings and we expect it to finally launch later this spring. 'We are sorry for the delay but think the improvements will be worth the wait.' A spokeswoman for Southern Housing Group, responsible for the part of the Marquess now known as New

Ann puts the Widdies up the hoodies Ann Widdecombe on the streets It's hard to decide which is more frightening - a gang of skulking hoodies in a dark alley -­ or Ann Widdecombe on the warpath. The veteran Tory MP confronts drugtaking youths and leaves them cowed in a new documentary for ITV. Sign up for the latest news alerts In Ann Widdecombe v The Hoodies the eccentric politician spends a week living with families in two of the capital's most crime-ridden estates - the Andover in Islington and Brixton - Myatts Fields - and she demands answers from the gangs who strike fear into residents. In one scene, Miss Widdecombe squares up to two young men loitering in a doorway, demanding: "Why do you wear your hood?" and browbeating one into admitting: "I wear it to feel safe. I want to scare people who scare me. Not old ladies." She also confronts a gang smoking in a stairwell, saying: "That smells like pot. It's not good for your lungs, nor your brain.

Estate glad to see back of crime and prostitution 20 December 2006 Sergeant Franc Francioni with Councillor Marisha Ray (left), resident Rene Toumany (centre) and Councillor Lucy Watt (right) on the “safer"" Market Estate CRIME and anti-social behaviour on an estate plagued with prostitution has plummeted following a regeneration scheme. There were 33 crimes on the Market Estate, off North Road, Holloway, between April and July this year. That is 60 per cent down on the number of crimes during the same period last year, when 82 incidents were reported. Fred White Walk, a narrow passage running along the east side of the estate, had been a no-go area synonymous with prostitution, drug dealing, car theft and criminal damage. But a package of measures was put in place to deal with sex workers, parking problems and car crime. New lighting was installed, trees and bushes were cut back, parking was enforced and community policing boosted. This helped take prostitutes off the stre

Estate glad to see back of crime and prostitution 20 December 2006 Sergeant Franc Francioni with Councillor Marisha Ray (left), resident Rene Toumany (centre) and Councillor Lucy Watt (right) on the “safer"" Market Estate CRIME and anti-social behaviour on an estate plagued with prostitution has plummeted following a regeneration scheme. There were 33 crimes on the Market Estate, off North Road, Holloway, between April and July this year. That is 60 per cent down on the number of crimes during the same period last year, when 82 incidents were reported. Fred White Walk, a narrow passage running along the east side of the estate, had been a no-go area synonymous with prostitution, drug dealing, car theft and criminal damage. But a package of measures was put in place to deal with sex workers, parking problems and car crime. New lighting was installed, trees and bushes were cut back, parking was enforced and community policing boosted. This helped take prostitutes off the stre

Associations told: you’re not listening to tenants By Keith Cooper Published: 04 January 2007 Housing associations have come under attack from the London mayor and a newly elected member of an influential parliamentary committee for supposedly failing to listen to tenants. Mayor Ken Livingstone has branded some associations’ approach to tenant involvement as abysmal and promised to take action when he gains control over the grant they rely on to build affordable homes. His pledge comes as Communities and Local Government select committee member Emily Thornberry launched a private member’s bill aimed at making housing associations more democratic. The Labour MP for Islington South & Finsbury told Inside Housing the bill had already gained widespread cross-party support from MPs. MPs and local government councillors had become ‘incredibly frustrated’ when dealing with tenants’ complaints about housing association landlords, she added. ‘Most MPs just feel that tenants’ opinions are no