Wayne Hoban, Alexandra ward councillor, has asked Haringey Council to arrange an urgent public meeting to discuss increasing concerns from both local residents and traders over the apparent lack of effective action to tackle anti-social behaviour which is blighting the area.

Cllr Hoban first contacted Haringey Council and the Safer Neighbourhood police team in early summer to express concern over the fact that the library wall was being dismantled brick by brick; local traders had confirmed that gangs of youths were responsible, often congregating in the area late in the evening, up to 3am in the morning, and indulging in anti-social behaviour including drinking and allegedly drugs.

Cllr Hoban met with the library manager over the weekend to discuss the problem and was informed that an action plan had been agreed by Haringey Council, the ASBO team and the police, but it was confirmed that progress had been hampered through lack of good quality evidence to aid apprehension and conviction of the suspects.

Cllr Hoban states:

“I am increasingly concerned that effective action has not been taken to address this problem.Local residents and traders, and also library staff, are entitled to protection from the terrible effects of anti social behaviour. I want the public meeting to be held, preferably at the library, at the earliest possible opportunity to allow the local community to be involved in identifying a an effective solution. My personal view is that there is a clear need for good quality CCTV surveillance at this spot, which is also a dangerous traffic junction. Installation of CCTV would help deter both bad behaviour and improve traffic management in the area.”