Tuesday, 20 December 2011

Vigil at King's Cross

A vigil was held to remember road accident victims in King's Cross tonight. Living Streets Islington campaigner, Caroline Russell, said that the deaths on bicycles at the adjacent site - in front of the Lighthouse building on King's Cross Square in the town centre - ranged from Leslie Michaelson fourteen years ago to the recent death of Min Joo Lee. She said there had been sixteen cyclists killed and over sixty pedestrians killed this year in London - the situation is unacceptable. She implored the community to consult with and work with Transport for London.

A costly TfL "Crossing Removal Progamme", another campaigner noted, would help keep motor traffic moving, at the expense of pedestrian safety.

The group londonersonbikes.org.uk notes that transport is one thing the Mayor of London really does control, and suggests that Londoners "vote with their bikes" at elections on 3 May 2012. Will this help save King's Cross' town centre?

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Tuesday, 13 December 2011

King's Cross Town Centre and "Friends of the (former) KX Gyratory"

The Mayor of London, responding through TfL Officers, says the 2008 Living Streets report was 'superseded' by the 2009 Buchanan consultants' report (which uses older, more favourable data for 36 months to December 2007 - prior to the opening of St Pancras station and the Northern Ticket Hall) and that TfL's current 'Junction improvements' scheme is based on a 30% increase in footfall for the Olympics (which, with changes at London Underground Northern Ticket Hall and the Stations since 2007, must have occurred long ago).

The Mayor has no plans to improve the gyratory, and there is a Mayoral election approaching. A Kings Cross Neighbourhood Forum formed under the new Localism Act (Nov 2011) could direct local changes next year.


King’s Cross Junction (2)
Question No: 3268 / 2011
Caroline Pidgeon
Three years ago a report titled ‘The TfL PERS and CSA 07/08 Category A Station Audits King’s Cross and St Pancras Stations Final Report’ included a clear recommendation that TfL should “reduce traffic speeds around the [Euston Road/Gray’s Inn Road/Pentonville Road/York Way] junction” in order to improve safety. Can you explain the reasons why you discarded the advice that was presented to you, and what factors you took into account when choosing to do so?
Written response from the Mayor
Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.
Written answer provided on 9 December 2011:
The report contained a number of short–term actions, including re-freshing road markings and repairing defects. Most of these were acted upon immediately after publication. The report also contained a number of longer-term aspirations and issues requiring more in-depth investigation.
In May 2009, TfL published the ‘King’s Cross Traffic and Pedestrian Study’, which set out TfL’s response to the longer-term issues raised. It included high-level proposals for a number of initiatives to improve the King’s Cross environment, which were subsequently translated into preliminary designs that could be discussed with stakeholders and implemented.
TfL began consultation on three schemes to provide pedestrian and cyclist improvements at three key junctions in May this year and will begin construction of these during December 2011.
King’s Cross Junction (4)
Question No: 3270 / 2011
Caroline Pidgeon
Further to MQ (1875/2011), you said that one-way systems where there is “evidence of poor performance, particularly in terms of safety” and where there is “a strong local consensus for change” are prioritised for removal. You added that schemes to remove gyratories must be feasible in engineering terms and those that have funding from external sources such as redevelopment schemes are prioritised. Do you think the King’s Cross gyratory system is performing well, particularly in terms of safety? If not, what steps will you take to ensure the removal of this gyratory system, in line with your policy?
Written response from the Mayor
Officers are drafting a response which will be sent shortly.
Written answer provided on 9 December 2011:
TfL is implementing schemes to improve road conditions at three key junctions in Kings Cross. These are:
  • At Euston Road/Pancras Road, extending the footway and installing new tactile paving on both sides of the road. Extending the pedestrian island on Euston Road to make it easier for pedestrians to cross. (Advanced stop lines (ASLs) are present in the existing layout). This element of the scheme is designed to accommodate a 30 per cent predicted increase in pedestrian footfall over this junction during the Games.
  • At Euston Road/York Way, extending the footway on the western side. Installing new Advanced Stop Lines for cyclists and tactile paving and changes to the signal control to a left ahead and two straight ahead movements at Euston Rd EB.
  • At Pentonville Road at its junction with Kings Cross Bridge and Caledonian Road, installing new tactile paving on either side of Pentonville Road and widening two existing pedestrian crossings on Caledonian Road and Kings Cross Bridge to accommodate a greater number of pedestrians. Provision of new Advanced Stop Lines for cyclists on Caledonian Road.
In general I support the removal of gyratories, wherever feasible, and where funding can be made available. The gyratory is complex and at a key location on the Transport for London Road Network. TfL does not currently believe that it is feasible to remove it. The very significant levels of funding that would be required to undertake such a task is also not available. However, all key junctions, such as this one, are kept under constant review.

Thursday, 8 December 2011

Islington KX and Euston Circus Update

















On Wednesday 8 December I presented for Living Streets King's Cross at Living Streets Islington's branch meeting, at Islington Town Hall. My short presentation joined two others on removing gyratories at Archway and Highbury Corner. Although it is widely accepted that the replacement of gyratory systems with more liveable, walkable streets is very good for neighbourhoods, for economic vitality of local areas and streets, for environmental and air quality, much work is needed to promote these regeneration schemes beyond cosmetic changes, especially given the disenfranchisement of those who work and live on the existing gyratories.

Now that Islington borough has 20MPH streets, we can follow the initiative in King's Cross, including the Mayor/TfL controlled 'red routes' as a next step. The CNJ story about reclaiming the Olympic Lanes as cycle lanes in King's Cross had been noticed in Islington.

Formation of a 'Friends of the (former) King's Cross Gyratory' group was jokingly discussed as a way of balancing the burgeoning Friends of Regent's Canal group. Afterwards, excellent (home-made) festive season delicacies were enjoyed with drinks.

Euston Circus
Our group was asked (via Camden Streets and TfL Programme Planner, Joanne Elmer*) to comment at Palestra on TfL proposals for Euston Circus (replacing Design for London's scheme). Propoerty Developers British Land have commissioned Hyder and McAslan to design improvements on the bridge over Euston Road cutting and pavement widening and planting is proposed as part of the s106 planning gain agreement. An anticipated 2000 additional pedestrian movements from Warren Street Station to the development on the north-western corner is the design basis, and LEGION traffic modelling was used. It is unclear whether overall vehicle movements would be reduced with fewer vehicle lanes and given future the two-way Tottenham Court Road. Future southbound contraflow bus lane passengers on the footways were not yet taken into account.

The 'smoothing traffic' agenda at TfL was discussed as "increasing vehicle journey time reliability".

York Stone and asphalt surface treatments, seating options and Liquidambar plantings were discussed, particularly adjoining the UCL hospital corner cafe curtilage. There will be green walls cladding the reverse of the new advertising billboards. Will anyone want to sit there on the bridge?

TfL Programme Planner Joanne Elmer told me that Camden's public realm design team (Sam Monck, Simon Piper et al) will meet monthly with Transport for London designers and the consultants to refine the design. Following detailed design in March, construction is planned to begin in October 2012.

Wednesday, 7 December 2011

Kings Cross Town Centre


Plans (or more accurately, a lack of effective public realm planning) for Kings Cross Town Centre and Kings Cross Square were discussed last night with Camden Councillor Paul Braithwaite and chair of the London Assembly Transport Committee, Caroline Pidgeon.

King's Cross Forum member Hugh Lake pointed out the lack of coordination and ineffectiveness of Camden's Placeshaping Strategy for the area, which ignored aspects of transport and development south of the square. The GLA Transport Committee chair admitted in the meeting that the Mayor and Transport for London were not tackling the area adequately, nor were Boroughs.

It was noted that the TfL plans for cosmetic junction improvements (due for completion next year) were based on a report (Buchanan consultants) using data which predates the reopening of St Pancras International Station in 2007 (see pages 14-26).

Notes

Following the meeting, London Assembly Transport Committee chair Caroline Pidgeon received confirmation in a response - which she had to use the Freedom of Information Act to get! - that two of the crossings do not meet national minimum standards on safety. (Already clear from the 2008 report) They are unsafe and don't provide enough time for pedestrians to cross. This crossing time is further diminished by vehicles running red lights.

Caroline Pidgeon is also urgently seeking input into the TfL review of the junctions that is taking place behind closed doors, and wants, as a bare minimum, for them to use up-to-date info on the number of pedestrians using the junctions and, even better, to actually listen to the pedestrians and cyclists using the junctions.

Lee Baker today put a short article on Lib Dem's website about their walkabout and their mayoral candidate's campaign " Why not transform Euston Road into a boulevard that is a pleasure to walk along and across?" (Referring to the 100 Great Spaces 2009) Mayors make great promises in campaigns; the current mayor has brought blue cycle lanes and hire bikes, but neglected the previous Mayor's and Design for London's plans for Euston Road.

Background paper (no date) on King's Cross 'place shaping' from RUDI

Tuesday, 8 November 2011

Camden's plans for Kings Cross

"Predominantly north of Euston Road" was the phrase which jumped out at me from Councillor Sarah Hayward's cabinet portfolio report on Placeshaping King's Cross to Camden Council at the Town Hall on 7 November (Agenda p48). The community consultations in October 2011 (where Cr Hayward was not present) and in October 2010 strongly emphasised the need for permeability north-south across Euston Road (especially with the council relocating) and east-west across King's Cross station and York Way into Islington.

Although Camden says it wants to capitalise on "the opportunities presented by King's Cross Central and the 2012 Olympics" - and certainly its deal with the developer to move the Town Hall offices to Building B3 in Pancras Square will do that by selling off the Town Hall extension, the council's strategy commitment to improving cycling and walking, street environment and air quality and in the borough apparently stops right at its office doorstep.

A deputation from London Cycling Campaign (see LCC response to Placeshaping) to Council at the Town Hall on 7 November elicited a non-committal response from Council about working with TfL to improve streets and crossings in King's Cross. Council would not even review the planned cosmetic and piecemeal junction improvements on Euston Road, which it says TfL aims to complete in January. Councillors were interested to know from LCC about a corporate manslaughter claim against TfL, but did not express any willingness for council to work harder or more closely with TfL on improving the King's Cross transport hub area, beyond leaving everything to council officers in its transport department. (York Way and Pancras Square do not bode well.)

Another deputation in favour of increasing the diversity of sexual entertainment licences held that a 250m cordon proposed around premises would conventionalise sexual entertainment types to lap dancing and pole dancing. This rather than encouraging more diverse gay, women only, couples and bisexual entertainment for sexual stimulation, which might be tolerated with a 100m or 50m cordon in Camden. The latter subtle and diverse forms of entertainment for sexual stimulation, it was suggested by council however, may be so normal as to not require licencing.

Back to King's Cross; Camden councillors said Transport for London were highly resistant to the removal of the King's Cross Gyratory System, and councillors seemed unwilling to take the removal any further. Transport for London has "doubled the capacity" of King's Cross St Pancras Underground Station in the midst of Camden, without improving (or adequately future planning) the connections around the station or across the main roads - who knows about the 20 new streets Camden is to adopt? Those accessing King's Cross (a promised world-class destination in the making) are finding Camden's public realm here seriously underwhelming and deadly. The Mayor of London is unresponsive.

The political relationship between Camden and TfL (and also with the Mayor of London) is complex - especially Camden's relationship with TfL on the Red Routes, on (motor) transport, parking, and on street Skip and Scaffold licence incomes. Users of the public realm, those who want to walk and cycle and breathe safely and healthily - while living, working, shopping or playing in King's Cross - are suffering.

Wednesday, 2 November 2011

Town hall services move across the A501

Living Streets Kings Cross group members are concerned that the Transport Strategy for B3 has not properly prioritised or addressed the planning of safe and enjoyable walking, cycling and public transport access for people approaching the council offices (B3) via the public highways onto which this building fronts.

Our group was alerted by a local campaigner Lee Baker to the possibility of commenting on the new Camden borough offices in King's Cross, which will move from Bidborough Street across to King's Cross Central "building B3" to save money. We thought this would reduce the accessibility of the Camden services building on foot and by bicycle, despite this being a brand new building in the King's Cross funded by Camden as a tenant. We wrote the following deputation statement for Thursday Evening's Planning meeting:

Deputation Statement on 3 Pancras Square (Planning Application 2011/4090/P Plot B3, 3 Pancras Square)

Living Streets Kings Cross group promotes and campaigns for safer, more enjoyable streets where we work and live in King’s Cross, in the vicinity of King’s Cross Station. Living Streets King’s Cross group requests that
Camden - through planning obligations (section 106) agreements - make its future offices highly accessible to the walking, cycling and public-transport-using public, including all ages and abilities, and including newly arrived international passengers. Living Streets Kings Cross group asks that Camden ensure that surrounding streets are measurably safer and more pleasant to use than those currently existing and planned, in keeping with Camden's Planning Strategies, and that Camden planners make it safer and easier to walk to new Camden offices at Pancras Square, especially, to make it safer and more pleasant crossing under the station tunnel, from St Pancras Station, from Pancras Road, from Camley Street, from Goods Way and from Euston Road.

The planning obligations (s106) associated with outline planning consent in 2008 for King’s Cross Central were that the streets would be safely walkable and easy to cross for diverse pedestrians and cyclists, connecting the entire Kings Cross Central area with the remainder of the borough, north, south east and west. Planning consideration has now been narrowed to the footways onto the roads outside B3. We are concerned about a reference in the current planning submission to new bus and coach drop-off facilities at B3, to avoid 'road crossing' (6.62) and would conflict with core strategy and with pedestrian, public transport and cycle access. The bus bays would therefore replace the existing safe walking access for schools and other groups to the Council offices currently available in
Euston Road with unnecessarily motor-vehicle-dependent access. This contradicts Camden's strategic plans for improving walking, pedestrian and cycle accessibility, air quality and the environment (Core Strategy Document CS11, CS13).

The cosmetic junction improvements (‘extended pedestrian island’) planned by TfL London Streets for 2011-12 at Euston Road and Pancras Road junction seem pitifully inadequate to address the 2008 safety report UPR/T/029/08, and will be obsolete for the 2012 Olympics and when B3 is complete. There are no improvements proposed for crossing the dangerous junction of
Camley Street, Goods Way and Pancras Road in front of B3 where Emma Foa was killed. (See 2008 report) (see also page 47 of public reports pack)

Camden’s recent cosmetic (s.106 funded) improvements to York Way are already obsolete, and the road remains unnecessarily unsafe. Group members are concerned that Camden is not planning these public areas including Pancras Road, Camley Street, Goods Way to be effective, pleasant or sufficiently safe, and that planning for these areas should be of a coherent and excellent international standard, rather than piecemeal and inconsistent.

The walking and cycling access standards for proposals for B3 and Kings Cross Central are not in accordance with the Kings Cross Place Plan developed and agreed by
Camden with the community (Matthew Furness et al). The group requests that pedestrian and cycling access standards be of an international standard befitting such an internationally significant location. The current standards are compromised and inadequate.

In all, Living Streets Kings Cross group members are concerned that the Transport Strategy for B3 has not properly prioritised or addressed the planning of safe and enjoyable walking, cycling and public transport access for people approaching the council offices (B3) via the public highways onto which this building fronts.

~

Friday, 28 October 2011

DIY King's Cross

It is increasingly apparent that agencies - LB Camden, LB Islington, Network Rail and Transport for London - are reluctant collectively to make King's Cross streets in the area around this internationally unique transport hub into a safer and more pleasant set of places to live and work.

One possibility for the holistic redesign of the area as a circulation system is not to leave it to 'fall between the stools' of these various agencies with their separate bureaucratic problems and resource limitations but to drive the process through a local group pf stakeholders.

The process could be modelled on what Sustrans calls DIY Streets :
http://www.sustrans.org.uk/what-we-do/liveable-neighbourhoods/diy-streets 

 and the 'Placecheck' method could be used for basic assessment of the streets.

Friday, 21 October 2011

Placeshaping - Shaping future King's Cross

King's Cross Placeshaping Workshop (20 Oct 2011, hosted by LB Camden Placeshaping, at the Camden Centre in the Town Hall)

This short list (pictured) of priorities for the future of King's Cross was assembled, all in response to the draft from October 2010 workshops and more recent documents drafted by LB Camden (pdf). Each group represented communicated its issues for the Vision for King's Cross. These were prioritised for importance and for desired engagement with 'Camden Placeshaping team'.
(Following an an unsuccessful touchy-feely draw a crest exercise)

The red dots here indicate partcicpants votes for importance of issue (12 dots per participant allocated as they wished)
Coloured Stars show the groups' desired (voluntary) resource commitment to each issue - except that police are not voluntary (9 per participant allocated as they wished)

Looks like the gyratory is of key importance, but then, that was clear years ago. Safety in the public realm on the (motor) traffic system which forms the armature of this urban area is unsurprisingly fundamentally important, especially in light of recent casualties on it.

Howewer, it seems that Camden does not have it within its scope or capacity to influence this, nor even to ensure that its planning requirement for public access across King's Cross station ("Battle Bridge" - top right) can be upheld against Network Rail, which now considers it unnecessary.

Greg

Attendees:
Participating Residents / Consultees: 7
representing:
Living Streets King's Cross 1 (Greg)
King's Cross Development Forum 1
Camden Square Neighbourhood Association 1
Camden Community Radio 1
The Calthorpe Project 1
King's Cross Brunswick Neighbourhood Association - Youth Services 1
Resident and Lib Dem Campaigner Lee Baker

Participating police officers in uniform: 2; PC Jonathan Oran, Sgt. Gary McGovern

Non-participants
Council Officers: 5
Facilitators: 2

There was an undertaking that Placeshaping document draft would be redrafted with these priorities and resources in mind, with Head of Shaping Services "Helen" and Matthew Furness leading at LB Camden. The exercise seemed to revisit many issues from the October 2010 workshop.


Monday, 17 October 2011

King's Crossings

Should there be a connection between King's Cross Square and King's Cross Traffic Gyratory? There is one already, in that many users of the stations cross the roads in order to use the surrounding area; shopping, residing temporarily or permanently, working, going to entertainments and recreation, etc.

Motor vehicles on these busy roads, which are part of the "arterial" and "ring road" road transport systems "A501" and "A5200" have had a history to date of dangerous and violent physical contact between users of the road , and also produce noise, pollution and an arguably anti-social effects every day for the ambiance of these public spaces, and affecting the people who visit or live in the area, and those who work in or visit shops and businesses in the area.

The licensed operators of heavy vehicles are not personally responsible for the environmental impacts of these vehicles, and even in a conflict or deadly accident, may be exonerated as merely 'inadvertent'. Does the responsibility for care of these public realms rest solely with the collective publics, then?

One part of King's Cross' the public realm here, the square, is managed by Camden/Network Rail/King's Cross Redevelopment, however another, the roads A501 and A5200, are managed exclusively by Transport for London.

King's Cross is currently the focus of local debate about traffic danger on junctions which could be potentially far safer and far more pleasant to walk through (and even to shop in). King's Cross Square is the subject of recent discussion about (privately funded) public art in this prominent London public space, where even the responsibility for maintaining dangerous icy pavements in front of bus stands is ambiguous.

Could these public realms be more harmoniously connected? Could there be a better balance between pedestrians and vehicles in these important spaces, despite the Mayor's preoccupation with (motorised) traffic, in line with Transport for London promoting walking and cycling?






















new from King's Cross Environment

More on the call for a corporate manslaughter claim here in the Guardian Bike Blog.
Response in Drawing Rings Around the World blog with some useful data like this:
 













Imminent workshops on the King's Cross Place Plan  - although unlikely to address the Camden-Islington separation, may be another opportunity to discuss some of these issues about managing the public realm in King's Cross. rsvp!

Thursday, 13 October 2011

Wild Food

King's Cross Forage
Wild food walk - foraging on a radius around Camley Street Nature Reserve on a two hour walk, we found innumerable things growing in unexpected nooks by roads, along the canal, in ambiguous abandoned parts of road reserve, and on housing estates.
Six of us set off on a Thursday morning with a long forked birch stick, some books to identify species, a bucket and a blanket.

Some of our locations and finds included;
St Pancras Station road reserve on Pancras Way - a variety of nettles














At London's newest large street, King's Boulevarde, we found Plane Trees, and spoke to a keen street warden, and discussed the potential for guerilla planting some edible plants on the Boulevarde where Eat Street was setting up for the Central St Martin's students...














Grapes near Battlebridge Canal Basin

Local fishermen were catching (small) fish - mentioning pike, perch, dock, bream.














King's Cross Wild Grapes!





























Many salads, including rocket and nettles were discovered, and flowers, like miniature Daisies... on the towpath














Blackberries were found growing on Goods Way, opposite the old Petrol Station














Cherries in Fyfe Terrace
Pears in Killick Street














A bucket of large apples was collected from trees in Birkenhead Street - shared with residents, and for Rubies in the Rubble..
Cherries in Judd Street....
Now to wash and process everything!

 page 1

 page 2












Addendum 24 October
Map to print double sided on A4 and fold to pocket-size!
Great Work Jeannine and friends

Monday, 4 July 2011

Bertolini on Multi-level Perspectives on Urban Transition

Luca Bertolini (author with Tejo Spit of Cities on Rails SPON 1998), is talking in Perth about landscape pressure (especially on public transport) in urban transition. He says there are many approaches, including both carrrots and sticks, from political actors to social movements, which can be engaged in transition, the urban densification of the kind which we could say is occuring in King's Cross, and which is outlined in the chapter about King's Cross in the 1980s and 1990s in his book.

Bertolini gives the example of redevelopment and transition in Amsterdam, including the perhaps little-remembered unbuilt proposals for highway developments in the sixties even in the city centre. He mentions the roles of various actors in arriving at the present conditions of this now exemplary 'bicycle city' which is widely admired as a model city for sustainable development.

Just a few of the points which stood out to me - and which he promises to develop in his paper for the Congress (#WPSC) - are;
- exogenous development - the approach which puts development outside of the city, (Amsterdam South and beyond?)
- transition pathways - how these connect with environmental pathways
- necessity of cut and cover development in Amsterdam - which necessitated destroying and rebuilding infrastructure at enoroumous investment cost

The 'moments of change' Bertolini is discussing are a reminder, in my view, that there are difficult compromises to be negotiated between many actors (formal and informal) in redevelopment - and a continual balancing of stakeholder interests. The view of planners should indeed be widened, and rather than educating the public or planning students to "ask the right questions" - as one planning educator suggested yesterday - planners might do the harder work of observing a wider range of stakeholder views.

Monday, 27 June 2011

St Pancras-Somerstown-King's Cross Improvement Scheme

20mph speed limit areas and zebra crossings are some of the measures proposed by L B Camden for an improvement scheme in St. Pancras, for which feedback is currently being sought.

Plender Street market, St. Pancras Way (unfortunately only the west side to the north, ignoring advice from the 2008 pedestrian audit about station access) and some junctions will be changed or simplified, in what seems an inexpensive scheme which will be unlikely to attract attention.

Comments and discussion of the documents?

see Camden Website

LDF (Local Development Framework Nov. 2010)

Thursday, 16 June 2011

Issues on the Streets of King's Cross

Two hours of constructive chat with Islington King's Cross Cops


Local police web chat
(06/16/2011)
5:43

williamperrin:
hi folks - i'll be opening this up at 1830
5:43
[Standby] Will open up at 1830
6:29
williamperrin:
Evening all
6:34

Comment From Greg C
Hello, Hope it goes well, I have to g to rehearsal
6:34
williamperrin:
thanks greg hope you hit the right notes - i have the questions you asked will drop them in later
6:36
williamperrin:
here's a police video to pass the time - it's by the Met about police community work in Islington and Camden
6:38

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Ello, Ello, Ello.....
6:38

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Do Islington Police have responsibility for enforcing speed limits in the boro?
6:39
williamperrin:
Thanks Purple... will answer these from 7 is speeding an issue where you are
6:39

Comment From Greg C
Cheers
6:43

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Yep. We just got a 20mph limit on our road but traffic hasn't slowed down....
6:46

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Claire Clarke: Shadow Line or Injustice?
6:47
williamperrin:
ahhh the telly - knew the important stuff would come out wil get you and answer - may not be what you expect?
6:48
Twitter
getgood:
RT @karenstrunks: via @willperrin questions for kings cross police? - use #kxcops to feed into live webchat with police today from 7-9 ... [via Twitter]
6:49
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Good evening
6:51
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
Good evening
6:52

Comment From Sean
great idea Will
6:53

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Yeah Will, brave move and a brill one....
6:58

Comment From Sean
We had a large spike of rough sleeping in and around York Way, Caledonia st around 6 months ago. it wasn't the odd concern but at one point up to around 10 people camped out for many nights. We contacted the community team but the response was not clear. we had to engage Paul our councillor to ensure the rough sleepers got the support they needed.
6:59
Expand
7:01
williamperrin:
evening folks- about to kick off answering questions here in the hub on york way
7:01

Comment From Sean
who is responsible - the one point of contact if this happens again?
7:01
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
The local SNT worked in partnership with Islington council and outreach workers over the festive period to identify the rough sleepers and find out why they were there.
7:02
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Please contact the SNT on 02074210271 in future if you have any issues regarding this
7:02
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
that is my direct number
7:05
williamperrin:
next up - 20 mph speed limits
7:06
williamperrin:
typing away furiously here.......
7:07
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
The local authority in consultation with local residents have implemented 20 mph speed limits in some areas of the borough. The Police will not be enforcing this limit. Police resources are limited and priority is given through TfL to red routes. The local police at Islington do not have the resources unfortunately.
7:08
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
I am wholly sympathetic to the plight of residents in this issue but unfortunately we just do not have enough officers.
7:10

Comment From Purplenaartjie
So what was the point of that then? We live in an area that's high on the indices of deprivation for dangerous traffic yet no-one does anything about it.
7:11

Comment From Purplenaartjie
What's the day to day relationship like between Camden and Islington police? I live on the boundary....
7:12
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
Speed limits are part of the rules of the road, much like all the other road side signs. The good bit about the signs is that they are a visible deterrent and indication to motorists to slow down. It isn't perfect but it is a start.
7:14
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
From a SNT point of view we have a limited interaction with our camden colleagues. This is mainly due to Kings cross railway station running between the two wards. When there is a specific issue that requires a joint approach then we will contact them. There is a British transport police neighbourhood team between the two wards
7:14
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
Purple... asked what my favourite TV Police drama is. Has to be The Wire. I know it isn't UK based but it has to be the most accurate, well researched and well scripted drama I have seen. If I had to choose a UK one, I think Case Histories which is on at the moment has been well done.But I did read the book first!
7:14
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Claire Clark will comment from a more strategic partnership
7:16

Comment From Sean
sorry but reelised that SNT is the who we called before and more often than not is was an answer phone service and when we left messages over a period of around 2 months - only once did we get a call back. We need a number where it's answered or at least we get called back?
7:17
williamperrin:
thanks for the questions folks - the officers here are battering out answers. if there's a slight delay before your question is posted it's me holding it up a bit so that we can see questions and answers together
7:17

Comment From Purplenaartjie
They are tiny! Why so small and why no massive signage at the start of the 20mph zone all around King's Cross????
7:17
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Sean - I take on board your coments and apologise if this is your experience. We now have a system in place where every call is logged onto a database and the caller will be contacted within 48 hours (this is the longest period due to days off)
7:18
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
There is also a mobile telephone number which is on when the team are working
7:18
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
would you like the number?
7:19
williamperrin:
question in from @bridgetfox on twitter 'Would ending the gyratory system around KX make the street environment safer? '
7:19

Comment From Sean
ok - i hope the feedback has been useful.
7:19

Comment From Sean
yes please,
7:19

Comment From Sean
i also think the contact numbers on this site may need checking?
7:19
williamperrin:
hi sean - do you mean the ones on the kings cross site - i checked them the other day - they were out of date apols for that......
7:20
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
very much so and thank you. I will look at the web page tomorrow morning and ensure it is up to date
7:20
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
From a more senior policing point of view - Islington and Camden Police have a really good working relationship. It is always prudent to get on well with your neighbours! This weekend we have a joint awards ceremony celebrating young people who have carried out projects addressing issues in their neighbourhoods. We are currently working together to address potential issues around the regeneration of Kings Cross. Both borough's youth engagement teams are working together looking at gang issues. So some really good work goes on.
7:20

Comment From Cally
Do you think there should be more support for activities for kids in the area? That could help kids stay away from crime... Like http://www.cyproject.org/
7:21

Comment From Sean
yep KX site - good they have been fixed.
7:21

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Like Cally's comment :)
7:22

Comment From rupert perry
No questions, but I am reading the various comments
7:24
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
I think the youth provisions we do have are very good but I do believe that we could do with more. There are obvious funding issues at present. officers from the Caledonian safer neighbourhoods team work with and support young people on positive projects to improve the area such as the Safer Neighbourhoods Annual challenge.
7:24

Comment From Will P
Hi can anyone explain the helicopter that seems to be around kings cross quite often. It hovers over our apartment close to the station and circles a lot... Is this a police thing!? If so it's understandable.. But would be nice to know. Thanks.
7:26
williamperrin:
i've been on the board of the CYP youth charity - there's a big problem in Cally with the lack of a boys secondary school and thus a big hub for after school activities. it's really important to fund voluntary sector stuff like CYP and the marvellous Crumbles Castle
7:26

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Am loving living in a boro with a woman at the helm of the council and a woman CPO. Didn't realise.......
7:27
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
Purple.... signs. Sadly I have no control over that. The signs have to be in context to the street environment. There are points of view that streets should have less street furniture and signs. Some boroughs are experimenting with that. I would be in favour of signs that are clear and visible. That might mean larger - some councils are not keen at all. It is a difficult balance.
7:28
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
regarding youth provisions across Islington - there has been a recent refurbishment of serveral youth clubs which have been relaunched as hubs with fantastic facilities such as the rose bowl and we encourage young people to use these.
7:30

Comment From Purplenaartjie
CYP has massive funding problems... are the police part of any strategic partnership that could give core (not project or capital) funding to CYP????
7:31

Comment From rupert perry
I see that Albert Beale wrote some comments on the kingscrossenvironment web site concerning his problems with motorists. Has that been passed on
7:31
williamperrin:
thanks rupert yes i am saving alberts for a slow spot.....
7:31
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
Bridget - the KX gyratory is a TfL route so if it were to be changes, it would be a decision which would not be taken without public consultation.
7:31
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Will P, there are numerous helicopters around the kings cross area. Its difficult to say if its the police helicopter. We have looked at complaints before which turned out not to be the police helicopter
7:32
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
we often use the police helicopter to search for outstanding suspects following some offences at all times of the day
7:33

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Albert's a local hero!
7:33
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
Crime Mapping - It has the potential to be a really useful tool for residents to see exactly what is happening in their area. I am not sure that the product that is available at the moment is the finished product.
7:34
williamperrin:
Bridget's question: Would ending the gyratory system around KX make the street environment safer?
7:34

Comment From Sean
be good if you tweeted to let people know it's your chopper!
7:34

Comment From Sean
YES!!!!
7:34
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Sean, I was not aware of the 3000 students as this will be based on Camden. We wil liaise with Camden if this starts to be a ward issue. Camden will no doubt be contacting the principal of the college
7:35
williamperrin:
thanks for the questions folks we're loving this here but having all sorts of fun juggling the order of questions and answers please bear with us......!
7:36

Comment From Sean
I am sure they'll add heaps of colour but clearly it's a major change to KX
7:36
williamperrin:
yep am looking forward to the students no end
7:37
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
at this time we only have 1 twiter site for the Met police. It is very new for us and will hopefully be being developed to work at a local level. Watch this space and I am hapy to take suggestions forward
7:37

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Yay! Love the diea of police tweeting wots going on when they can do that... it'd put minds at rest...
7:37

Comment From Nicky Getgood
Sean we have a great tweeting police helicopter in Birmingham: http://twitter.com/WMP_Helicopter :)
7:38
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
I would love to see that! Is it blue like the Twitter logo?
7:38
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
I will have a look at that site!
7:41

Comment From Purplenaartjie
This KX gyratory thang is crazy. This is a densely populated area. The, only TFL can do anything answer just puts a massive community at risk - help! We need someone to champion this, Claire that could be you....
7:43
williamperrin:
Albert Beale asked a long and very pertinent question over on the kings cross site - it boils down to the severe threat posed by cars, buses and lorries to human safety and mental health.
See http://www.kingscrossenvironment.com/2011/06/what-would-you-ask-the-chief-inspector-about-policing-in-islington-live-web-chat-today-7-9pm-on-this.html#comments
Officers are working on an answer now
7:44
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
Purple... re CYP funding. Like most public sectors, we have reduced funding for projects. Currently I am looking at all the youth projects that Police support in Islington to make sure that the funding we do have is being spent appropriately.
7:44

Comment From Cally
Check out @hotelalpha9 - a police office in yorkshire who tweets from the beat
7:45

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Damn, just dished out me dinner when this is getting good!!!!
7:46
williamperrin:
Ha! whats for dinner. Bring us some.....
7:46
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
we are very hungry
7:48

Comment From Cally
This is better than SNT meetings - I can have my dinner in front of the computer! Send out for Royal Thai takeout!
7:49
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
My favourite is Pad Thai - what's theirs like?
7:49
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Cally, I am aware of hotelalpha9 and think it is a good idea. Unfortunatly with an orgaisation as big as the Met police these things are more difficult to do. Thats not to say that this wont happen in the future
7:49
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
CAN WE STOP TALKING ABOUT FOOD!!!!!
7:49
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Claire has just popped out for food
7:50

Comment From Nicky Getgood
Cally @hotelalpha9 is great. @brumpolice on twitter also good - engaging with local community sites as well as local twitter folk. Featured quite a few of their appeals on Digbeth is Good: http://is.gd/L7iXVb
7:50

Comment From Cally
Ok, I won't tell you that their pad thai is fab... :-)
7:50

Comment From Nicky Getgood
I'm just about to tuck into a lovely prawn curry for my tea...
7:52
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
That's really unfair. love Thai food. I have had to settle for a croissant!
7:54
williamperrin:
we have a question by email - a local resident was verbally threatened by some young people who have a track record of ASB often in front of a CCTV cameras on a public housing estate. how does the hand over work between housing CCTV, housing patrol and police officers?
7:56
williamperrin:
I haven't had my say on food yet - Royal Thai is superb, possibly the best value place to eat in KX, a lot better than many full priced restaurants. They also have a BYO wine licence which i love.
7:59
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Given the evidence mentioned in your question I am a little dissapointed at the response (or lack of it) to your issues. What should happen is a partnership problem solving approach between your safer neighbourhood team, the local authority and housing provider. Once these individuals have been identified there are various options available to deal with them and their behaviour. We also work with parents to address any problems with their children.
7:59
williamperrin:
that answer was in response to email question
7:59

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Addis. For local Ethiopian it has to be Addis. But tonight it was homemade hash browns, black pud, bacon, eggs, toms and I left the mushies in the oven cos I forgot about them....
8:00
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
That sounds like a Met Police 'fatboy' breakfast.
8:01

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Claire really! It was a Fatgirl brekky! For dinner.
8:02

Comment From HoltParkToday - lukeb3000
Hellop Just signed in - Leeds Hyper Local Blogger here :) Hope I can have some useful input :)
8:02
williamperrin:
hiya holt park - nice to see you, to see you nice etc. So you must get a train from here to Leeds every now and then?
8:02
williamperrin:
Did you come down for the Leeds-Arsenal match?
8:03

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Leeds? Yorkshire? How's things!!!
8:03

Comment From Karen Strunks
Hello. Just popping in. From Birmingham. Have you seen the police dog tweets from West Mids? http://twitter.com/#!/WMPDMambo
8:03
williamperrin:
wooof
8:03
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
I thought dogs barked
8:04

Comment From Purplenaartjie
OMG we gone global! We got west mids and west yorks hurray!!!!
8:04

Comment From Cally
@WMPcsidogsmithy is great too
8:04

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Can we have tweeting police dogs please?
8:05
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
I'll pass it on to the Dogs Section - interesting idea. What about Horses?
8:05

Comment From HoltParkToday - lukeb3000
@William I get down to London every so often, usually in summer for a UK YouTube meet up,
8:06

Comment From Karen Strunks
@WMPcsidogsmithy is my fav :)
8:06

Comment From HoltParkToday - lukeb3000
@Purplenaartjie Yes everything is grand in Yorkshire :)
8:06

Comment From Karen Strunks
@claire great idea re horses.
8:06

Comment From Purplenaartjie
I love our police horses, and the beagles in the stations.... Am I off topic?
8:06

Comment From HoltParkToday - lukeb3000
@Karren Hello Karren good to see you again! How is everything in Wake Green Park?
8:06
williamperrin:
ok folks - enough animals already.......
8:07
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
In response to Albert's extremely valid question on problems on the roads. I understand how frightening it is cycling on our roads sometimes and how vital it is that people take the Highway Code seriously.

If enough people are concerned about this issue, we can make it a ward priority and take measures to enforce people cycling or driving irresponsibly and illegally. I am definitely prepared to look into this further and discuss this with local residents at our next ward panel meeting. To contact me directly call 0207 421 0271.
8:08
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
We are always looking to increase the numbers of people on the ward panels. If anyone is interested they can contact their ward team via the Met web site.
8:08

Comment From Noon
What's the toughest part of your job?
8:08
williamperrin:
and geography folks, think geography the birmginham/leeds banter is lovely but i'm not letting any more through.....
8:09

Comment From Purplenaartjie
YES PLEASSE Sgt Michael. I'm no good at meetings but I so want traffic to be a priority here. If you can do that you'd be a local hero....
8:10
Jon F:
@Michael Out of interest - how many would "enough" be? And say if it was people supporting the issue through comments on this blog, is that something you'd take into account as well as those at meetings?
8:10

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Will Perrin is a Stalinist ;) (not)
8:10
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Noon - personnally as a trained sexual offences officer I find it hard to deal with offences relating to children, one of the few times I have had tears in my eyes!
8:10
williamperrin:
yeah, careful - we have a labour camp...
8:11
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
There are several 'tough' parts - over 20 years there have been some really difficult things I have dealt with. Telling someone their loved one has died has to be the most difficult.
8:12

Comment From Keane
What's the biggest priority problem for crime in the KX area? What's top of your list? and how do you set priorities - is it crimes that happen the most or the most serious?
8:12
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Purple - please contact me with your experiences. If you contact me with specifics outside of this meeting I can look at it
8:13

Comment From Andy
You mentioned ward panels. How much influence does each ward actually have when it comes to policing priortities?
8:14
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Keane - our local priorities are set by our residents on issues that are important to them. We hold priority seting meetings every 12 weeks on average and the biggest issue currently in the area is ant social behaviour by young people
8:15

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Re Keane answer from Sgt Michael. I'm not surpirsed the top issue on these panels is anti social behaviour by yoofs. I'd assume the cross section of people that would attend meetings like that would be over sensitive about kids.
8:15
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Specifically from my ward panel meetings I have no say on what is set. I try to inform the residents on crime patterns across the ward and let them decide what is important to them
8:16
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
Ward Panels - the meetings are all slightly different, dependant on in which ward you live but basically local people will bring their issues to the meeting and the panel will decide whether that issue is one which is relevant to the ward as a whole and whether it is worth adopting as a priority. The idea is to do some medium to long term problem solving to try and eradicate it.
8:21

Comment From Purplenaartjie
There's been an increase in attacks on an estate I work in over the tracks in Camden and it's a really hot issue, is the same happening here?
8:22
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
I have just looked at my stats and there has been no increase in assaults over the past 2 months on Caledonian ward. We currently have a dispersal zone on Cally ward which will impact on youth disorder and hopefully reduced it.
8:23
Expand
typing away furiously
8:23
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
not the most flatering pic!!lol
8:23

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Will are you the one behind the camera?
8:24
williamperrin:
yep it's me phone
8:24
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
At Islington we have a specific unit which deals with estate policing and they work from Highbury Vale. They also have the drugs and anti social behaviour remit. They work across the entire borough. When it comes to specific estate issues they work with the Safer Neighbourhood teams. A recent success story has been on the Crouch Hall Court estate where there was a spike in youth activity. now all the parents and young people are engaged in positive activity.
8:24

Comment From Cally
has the opening of St Pancras made a difference to crime in the area?
8:25
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
I cant comment as it is before my time here!
8:27

Comment From HoltParkToday - lukeb3000
Very cool to be able to see your location, / what your doing though! I think this is a brilliant way to show how technology can break down barriers and help bring people together!
8:28

Comment From Beef@prospextweets
Some of the most positive projects with young people and the police we have been involved in have been Trading Places where both young people and police come together over a number of sessions and put themselves in each others shoes particually when it has been the local beat officers involved. To really be of value they need to happen more regularly. Is this something you see of value? Could some more be arranged.
8:28
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
I think the re development of St Pancras has been astonishing. I love the environment and I am particularly fond of a specific coffee shop (sorry Will - food again). British Transport Police are really visible in the station environment and I have no doubt that visible police make a different to crime levels.
8:29

Comment From Andy
Cally, have you seen a change and if so do you think it has been for the better?
8:30
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Beef, I am a big fan of this and one of my officers did look into this last year. I am told that the borough are looking into this and it may happen in the near future. I am happy for you to contact me to take this further
8:30

Comment From Angela
There's been really sad cases of stabbing and knife crime round here over past years...do you think its getting worse??
8:31

Comment From Beef@prospextweets
That is great to hear and I will definately be in touch soon.
8:33

Comment From Cally
Andy - I think its mainly been for good
8:34
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Angela, Claire is trying away at a response for you
8:34
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
*typing even
8:34
williamperrin:
Angela - the stabbings and murders have been appalling - i wrote a retrospective peice here http://www.kingscrossenvironment.com/2010/04/murder.html
8:36
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
Re Stabbings - I do not think that it is getting worse, I think that communities are rallying around and are supporting all the positive work that is being done to prevent this. I feel that it is really sad that young people feel that they have to carry knives and other weapons. It is an appalling statistic that you are more likely to be stabbed if you carry a knife than if you don't. I think that education is the way forward and there are several projects that are running across the borough to address this.
8:39
How many burglaries are there on the ward each week on average?
0
( 0% )
2
( 43% )
10
( 29% )
27
( 14% )
44
( 14% )

8:39
williamperrin:
we've put a little quiz in for you
8:40

Comment From Angela
Thanks Claire.
8:41
Clare H:
Fully approve of the infographic prettiness of the poll...
8:42
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
I hope you have all heard about the Cally festival! Sunday 3rd July from 12! I hope to see you all there for what promises to be a fantastic event bringing the whole community together.
8:43

Comment From Daniel
That sounds great!
8:43
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Will you be there Daniel?
8:44

Comment From Daniel
I am hoping to go! Its in my diary
8:44

Comment From Beef@prospextweets
The Cally Fest is a fantastic idea and will be there without a doubt. Lets hope that sun shines!
8:44

Comment From Daniel
So long as there isnt a torrential downpour!
8:44
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
And please can you support the Schools Rock 4 Islington competition on Saturday 16th July at the Plesance Theatre, N7 - doors open at 4.30pm. Tickets cost £3. Proceeds to charity.
8:45

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Thought that was a hellicopter for a minute!
8:45
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
I will tweet it for you purple!
8:45

Comment From Daniel
BTW - I think this website is great for the community. Thanks to everyone who contributes.
8:46
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
Wholeheartedly agree with that comment Daniel
8:46
williamperrin:
thanks daniel - it feels like a slog sometimes but it's lovely to get some feedback. big team effort
8:47
williamperrin:
so folks about 15 minutes to go - are you running out of steam out there? have a go at the quiz/poll - how many burglaries do you think?
8:47

Comment From Daniel
10!!
8:49

Comment From Cally
This has been really cool - are you going to do this again sometime?
8:49

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Sorry onto me pud now. Baked cheesecake....
8:50
Jon F:
Quick one from me - how effective do you find the dispersal zones/no drinking zones/etc when enforcing them? I can't help thinking they just create more agro when you try and move people on, or that people learn the tricks and congregate/drink/whatever just outside the area.
8:50
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
Is it lemon? Homemade? I use Nigella's recipe
8:52
williamperrin:
Cally thanks - glad you enjoying it. It's easy from the web perspective so would be happy to do it again. Delighted that the police were up for it - not always easy for them to innovate so hope they would do it again too. Maybe a web chat with our councillors sometime?
8:52

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Well caught out there. It's Waitrose's vanilla, oops!
8:53

Comment From Andy
You (the police) would probably get better results from this type of research than you will from other surveys. Most of us realise Islington is no different form other areas of London when it comes to crime. Good v Bad areas. With proposed cutbacks how long will the police be able to counter the negative crime messages which raises the fear of crime?
8:53
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
Jon - the dispersal zone gives the police an additional power to identify who is causing the problem and move them on. It can be very resource intensive to police an area like the Bemerton estate. There is work that goes on in the background such as behavioural contracts and ASBOs to take a longer term poblem solving approach. I try to use additional resourses from the local authority and special constables
8:53

Comment From Purplenaartjie
How about a cross borough chat with cllrs from both sides of KX?
8:53

Comment From Daniel
I'd love to have a chance to chat to them as well! Im sure there would be lots of questions.
8:54
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
The answer to the poll!!!
8:54
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
it was 2!
8:55
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
however on 3 consecutive weeks it was 0
8:55
Clare H:
Ditto it would be great for a webchat with Police for the south side of KX in the future.
8:55
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
The No drinking zone is actually called a Designated Public Protection Order, otherwise known as a controlled drinking zone. There is one in existence in Clerkenwell and one around the Emirates stadium. It is a discretionary power. It is a really effective tool and one which will be used more in Islington when the borough wide one comes in later this year.
8:56

Comment From rupert perry
Thanks, Will Claire and Michael for running this web chat. I found many of the comments and responses very interesting.
8:56

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Yay I won - what's the prize Will?
8:57
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
a cheesecake baked by Claire
8:57
Jon F:
Thanks Michael & Claire - that's really interesting
And yeah - a chat with Councillors is a great idea!
8:57
williamperrin:
purple... the prize is you get to make us all cheesecake
8:57

Comment From Purplenaartjie
OMG that's me done then, DnD was bad enough, don't wanna see the inside of Tolpuddle cells again agh!
8:58

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Nigella's recipe hurray!
8:58
williamperrin:
nearly at the end folks - the hub is packing up around us - any last quick questions?
8:58

Comment From cally
could you do a webchat for local kids?
8:58
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
Andy - re fear of crime. That is the most difficult challenge facing policing today. We all know about the gap between fear of crime and actual crime. Perception is hard to manage. We are doing out best to ensure that services are not affected by the cut backs that we are facing. Time will tell if we are successful.
8:58
williamperrin:
yes certainly could do one for local kids but moderating that might be fun
8:59
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
I hope you all found this useful and I would be interested to hear if you think I should arrange more?? Thank you all very much for contributing to our very first web chat
8:59

Comment From HoltParkToday - lukeb3000
Thanks for letting me sit in on this will, a very interesting idea, that I would love to repeat on my own hyperlocal blog with your guidance, hope I didn't interupt you guys too much! :/
8:59
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
I think a web chat with the young people would help with the fear of crime
8:59

Comment From Purplenaartjie
Yes more defo... the word will get round and more people will wanna take part
9:00
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
Thank you to all of you wh
9:00
Chief Inspector Claire Clark:
who participated tonight
9:00
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
nice chatting to you all
9:00
Jon F:
Thanks Michael & Claire - very useful, and more would be great!
9:00

Comment From Beef@prospextweets
yep great idea re web chat with young people
9:00

Comment From Purplenaartjie
TY all
9:01

Comment From HoltParkToday - lukeb3000
@Sergeant Michael, I'm not from your local area, but I think web chat's like this are invaluable, even though I'm not from near you I have enjoyed very much watching how this type of thing could benefit a local community (hope that input is useful to you)
9:01

Comment From HoltParkToday - lukeb3000
@Sergent Michael I can see this has been useful to people
9:02
williamperrin:
a big thanks to claire clark and michael atkinson and susannah taw from the police for answering all your questions this evening. thanks also to clare hill for being here to back me up on the tech side and jon foster in birmingham as a remote producer thanks to mike rawlins for tips from stoke on trent and thanks to you all out there for gamely taking part - see you soon
9:02
Sergeant Michael Atkinson:
thank you holt, i will do more
9:03

Comment From HoltParkToday - lukeb3000
Thanks WIll (and everyone else involved) Keep up all the good work! :)
9:03


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