A Crouch End councillor is backing an anti-crime action plan formulated by CREOS (Crouch End Open Space), the Shepherds Cott Trust and local cricket and tennis clubs. Lib Dem Ron Aitken says the plan will set out to counter an alarming spate of car fires and vandalism on Crouch End Playing Fields – the sports fields bordered by Park Road, Wood Vale and Shepherd’s Hill.

Following these incidents, which have included the burning down of a cricket pavilion and the dumping of cars, the Trust has been spending up to £4,000 per month on security patrols.

In a further development Cllr Aitken has forwarded to the police the registration number of a vehicle seen in the area at the time of several incidents.

Ron Aitken comments:”There is a real crime problem here, and I am very anxious that further incidents should be prevented. The 300 people who watch or participate in spots activities in the area can play a part too. Public vigilance has a key part to play in the fight against crime.

“Crime problems in the area have regularly been raised by residents with myself and my colleague Lynne Featherstone. This is a welcome step forward.”