HIGHGATE/LONDON: Demand for a fence to keep out the yobs

Demand for a fence to keep out the yobs

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ANTI-social behaviour on a Kentish Town estate could be wiped out by putting up a perimeter fence, according to residents.

People living on the Denton estate in Prince of Wales Road say yobs are making their lives a nightmare by taking advantage of the block's open-plan design.

Denton Tenants and Residents Association chairwoman Linda Carnell said: "At the moment our residents simply have no quality of life. As far as I am concerned, the estate is so open and has so many exits that we get youths from all over north-west London coming in and indulging in anti-social behaviour."

She added that despite pleas from the association, Camden Council has not taken plans for a perimeter fence seriously.

"We badly need this fence so we can feel safe in our own space again as we should be able to," she said.

When police are called to the 1960s estate, troublemakers scatter and escape easily via any one of the several exits.

Some residents say they fear for their safety because of visiting hooligans, who smash windows and create noise late into the night.

Ground floor resident Sue Parker, 56, said: "The worst problem is definitely the noise. On Monday night there were youngsters riding their mopeds right through the estate at midnight. You never ever get a decent night's sleep here."

According to Ms Parker, a fence surrounding the block would make it clear who was letting in the troublemakers.

She added: "There are so many little alleyways that they can come and go wherever they want and you have no idea who they are or where they've come from.

"This is one of the only estates in the area that doesn't have a perimeter fence and it's about time we had one."

Labour councillor Syed Hoque has backed the idea.

He said: "I think this would really help the police no end. It would be much easier for them to catch the offenders and make a record of their actions.

"It would improve the quality of life for the residents of Denton estate immeasurably. The people committing this anti-social behaviour are persistent offenders - some come from Denton and some come from outside, but a perimeter fence would go a long way to solving the problem."

A council spokeswoman said: "Perimeter fencing is very expensive and is not always effective at reducing anti-social behaviour. There are many other things we can do to reduce anti-social behaviour and we are working closely with police and residents on the Denton estate.

"Police patrols have already been increased and we've improved how the estate looks by picking up litter, painting and gardening.

"We have also arranged for low-level fencing and railings in two areas and will be looking at other initiatives with residents to tackle the problems."