HORNSEY/LONDON: Police get tough with teen gangs

Police get tough with teen gangs

POLICE have banned youths from hanging out with more than one friend in a bid to curb teenage gangs in Hornsey.

Some teenagers who gather on the Campsbourne Estate have been told they could be in trouble if seen in a group of more than two people.

The tough line has been taken by police on the estate to reduce the intimidation felt by residents, who live with large numbers of youths gathering close to their homes.

Some teenagers have also been told that they cannot gather in the neighbourhood after 10pm.

The strict rules have been laid out in Acceptable Behaviour Contracts, and if they are broken it could be used as evidence to pursue the more severe Anti-Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) - which can lead to a prison sentences if not adhered to.

So far the contracts have not been totally successful in dealing with the problem.

Sergeant John Scott, of Hornsey Safer Neighbourhood Team, said: "Although anti-social behaviour had reduced over a few weeks, it again seems to be on the rise. We have reports of large groups hanging around. Some of the youths do have contracts, which state they should not be in a group of more than two persons. We are enforcing this when these contracts are breached.

"We need the community to help us tackle these issues. Call us if you witness any anti-social behaviour in Hornsey."

Police have argued congregating youths do not necessarily represent criminal behaviour and that the presence of groups increases the fear of crime more than the actual chances of becoming a victim of crime.

Last week the Journal reported that a summer programme designed to keep kids occupied on The Campsbourne over the summer actually led to more youths gathering on the estate - much to the unhappiness of some residents living in Harvey House.

Robert Groves, a cab driver who lives on the estate, said the problem of anti-social behaviour has remained the same on Campsbourne.

"We have a little shop on the estate and come 8pm or 9pm I wouldn't go down there by myself. I am 16 stone and 5ft 8ins tall and can handle myself but I would be far too wary to go down there."

He described the move to stop kids from congregating as "unworkable".

Mr Groves added: "To be honest, I think it is an infringement of their human rights to stop them from hanging around with their own mates. What we can do to solve this problem is the $64,000 question.

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