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 streets rather than displacing them to another part of the estate.
The project was undertaken by Islington Council in conjunction with the police Safer Neighbourhood Team and the Islington drug and alcohol team.
In addition, a poster campaign in August in Market Road, Holloway, reminded vice girls and kerb crawlers that they were being watched on CCTV. The area will now have new CCTV cameras in January 2007.
Rene Toumany, 24, a resident on the Market Estate, said: "This area feels much safer to walk through now. You can really notice the difference - it is much more open, light and secure."
Lucy Watt (Liberal Democrat), executive councillor for environment, said: "Unregulated parking was a target for drug addicts stealing cars for drug money and used by prostitutes to meet clients. The recent introduction of parking enforcement has all but stopped those activities."
Sharon Jobe, head of the Market Estate Tenants' and Residents' Association, said: "The reduction in crime has been almost immediate - with a visible reduction in the number of sex workers on the streets.
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 streets rather than displacing them to another part of the estate.
The project was undertaken by Islington Council in conjunction with the police Safer Neighbourhood Team and the Islington drug and alcohol team.
In addition, a poster campaign in August in Market Road, Holloway, reminded vice girls and kerb crawlers that they were being watched on CCTV. The area will now have new CCTV cameras in January 2007.
Rene Toumany, 24, a resident on the Market Estate, said: "This area feels much safer to walk through now. You can really notice the difference - it is much more open, light and secure."
Lucy Watt (Liberal Democrat), executive councillor for environment, said: "Unregulated parking was a target for drug addicts stealing cars for drug money and used by prostitutes to meet clients. The recent introduction of parking enforcement has all but stopped those activities."
Sharon Jobe, head of the Market Estate Tenants' and Residents' Association, said: "The reduction in crime has been almost immediate - with a visible reduction in the number of sex workers on the streets.
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