Agenda item

The meeting received feedback from the seven Area Committee Chairs on issues which had been raised at the recent round of Area Committee meetings in relation to the riots, and outlined the key themes from each Area as follows:

Tottenham and Seven Sisters

·        Concerns were raised regarding the Police’s handling of the events around Mr Duggan’s death and on the night of 6^th August, and also the level of communication provided.

·        People appreciated the authorities’ response, including the Community Assistance Centre, work to re-house those affected, response to physical damage and assistance to small traders.

·        A link was made between cuts in youth services and the riots, and this needed to be addressed.

·        There was pride in the community’s response, particularly the clean-up and donations.

West Green and Bruce Grove

·        There was a positive focus on what could have been done better, to avoid the same mistakes in future; lack of pride in the community, frustration with and poor communication from the police, a weak initial police response and an increasing sense of alienation among young people were highlighted as contributing factors to events.

·        Concerns were raised regarding education, unemployment and lack of opportunities in the area. Engagement with young people was needed, as well as funding for youth provision and a coordinated approach to regeneration, leading to sustainable jobs.

·        Residents were proud of the area and unhappy about the damage done to the community and the area’s reputation. There was a desire for Tottenham to be built back better than before.

Northumberland Park and White Hart Lane

·        People supported the work of the SNTs and recognised the different roles played by local policing and external operations. Poor communication and initial inertia from the police was felt to have caused the situation to escalate. It was felt that there was a need for a review of Police tactics, greater Police presence and more protection for property and citizens.

·        Concern was expressed about the reduction in youth services, the rise in unemployment and the disengagement of young people from society. Better support was needed, and teenagers should be given a stake in society and decision-making processes. Trust needed rebuilding between young people, the council and the police.

·        There was concern regarding poverty, deprivation, general unemployment and the bleak economic outlook. Improvements in employment, housing and regeneration were needed.

Wood Green

·        Residents responded with horror and shock to events both in Wood Green and Tottenham. Greater work with young people at a very early age was felt to be needed, via children’s centres, schools and family support, to prevent people becoming disconnected from society.

·        It was felt that a tolerance for low-level anti-social behaviour and ‘victimless’ crime had contributed, and that a zero-tolerance approach should be adopted.

·        Police were felt to have been slow to respond initially and there should be better community policing.

·        There was great pride in the borough, and its greatest asset was its people. The community remained strong and wanted to help with the restoration work, despite some negative media coverage.

St Ann’s and Harringay

·        People objected to the references to ‘disturbances’ - this downplayed the scale of what had happened.

·        Green Lanes had been protected by local shopkeepers; this raised the question of how far people should go to protect their own property when Police were occupied elsewhere.

·        There were lessons for the authorities to learn, especially the Police. Residents needed assurance that their properties would be protected if a similar situation occurred.

·        The importance of providing facilities, support, job prospects and aspirations for young people was emphasised to prevent people being tempted by crime or gang culture and encourage them to take pride in their neighbourhood.

·        Residents wanted the regeneration of Tottenham for the benefit of the whole area, and for the release of promised funds.

Muswell Hill, Fortis Green, Alexandra and Highgate

·        Though there had been little damage in the local area, residents extended sympathy to all those who had been affected, and had shown generosity in volunteering at the Community Assistance Centre, the clean up and making donations.

·        Fear had been one outcome, and there was gratitude to the local SNT for their work reassuring residents and businesses, and keeping people informed. Local councillors also visited businesses, particularly those who were more vulnerable, to offer assistance.

·        It was felt that the issue of cuts to youth services should be revisited, and there was discussion of whether any of the funding pledged to Tottenham should be allocated specifically for youth activities.

·        Residents had been advised of other meetings taking place, at which further discussion of the riots would be taking place.

Crouch End, Hornsey and Stroud Green

• There had been two well-attended community meetings locally to discuss events and organise goods for donation to the Community Assistance Centre.
• All praised the bravery and work of the police and emergency services, and the community leadership shown by local councillors and especially Cllr Vanier, who had worked to keep people informed throughout the night of 6^th August.
• Borough-wide issues such as parental and social responsibility were discussed, and there was a plea to reconsider the cuts in youth services.
• Communication with the family of Mr Duggan by the Police was felt to have been abysmal and was an area that needed improvement.
• There were questions regarding the deployment of the emergency services; why Carpet Right was completely destroyed, and the lack of protection for business premises at Tottenham Hale and Wood Green.
• Although a dark period in the history of the borough, there was now the opportunity to build a new