Living Streets: King's Cross (Camden)

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

Local police web chat

(06/16/2011)

Thursday June 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

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

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	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