Fighting crime in Haringey

Posted on 7th Apr 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Here’s my latest Muswell Flyer article, also available here.

When I’m out on the doorsteps or at my local constituency surgery – I often hear awful stories from people who have been victims of burglary or fraud, for instance. Crime does unfortunately affect the vast majority of people at some point in life.

On the whole, crime is currently falling – but we must remain vigilant. Figures recently revealed the Muswell Hill area to be in the top 10 UK ‘burglary hotspots’ – and other types of crime in the Wood Green area remain a concern to local residents.

But there are some things we can do to help.

The Haringey Liberal Democrats, for instance, have put together a fully-costed plan to replace Haringey’s old street lighting with new energy efficient LED street lights.

As well as reducing the Council’s electricity bills and helping the environment through lower electricity usage, the new lights will help to reduce crime and the fear of crime by making our streets brighter at night.

The Haringey Lib Dems want to cover all of Haringey’s street lights – provided of course they win the local elections in May and get the chance to introduce it!

The local Lib Dems and I have also teamed up with residents to fight for a replacement police base in Muswell Hill.

Having a police presence back on or around the Broadway would certainly make people feel a lot safer, and we have been working hard to find a suitable property. We hope to have some good news on this front very soon.

Thirdly, the Lib Dems and I have just launched a campaign to give local Special Constables a 50% discount on their Council Tax.

This campaign has already been supported by hundreds of local residents, and our Borough Commander Victor Olisa.

He said: “I am fully behind the proposal to give our Special Constables a 50% Council Tax discount. I think it would be a good reward for the current Specials, and it would encourage more people to sign up and volunteer to fight crime in Haringey.”

Special Constables have the same powers and responsibilities as regular police officers, and spend up to 16 hours a month volunteering with the police – all without pay – in order to help make our community safer.

We think these volunteers deserve to be rewarded for their hard work and assistance in tackling crime. And, if the Council Tax discount helps encourage more people to become Special Constables – increasing police presence on our streets – all the better!

Haringey Borough Commander ‘fully behind’ Special Constable campaign

Posted on 10th Feb 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Haringey Borough Commander, Victor Olisa, has backed the local Liberal Democrat campaign for a 50% Council Tax discount for Special Constables.

The Commander, who confirmed his support during a meeting with Liberal Democrat MP Lynne Featherstone, joins the hundreds of residents who have already signed up to show their support.

The proposal would see every Special Constable in Haringey receive a 50% Council Tax discount. Campaigners say this will reward existing Special Constables, as well as encouraging other local residents to volunteer and help the police fight crime.

Labour-run Haringey Council will make the decision on whether to adopt the proposal at a Council meeting on the 26^th February.

Lynne Featherstone MP commented:

“It is great to secure the support of the Borough Commander on this campaign to reward and encourage our hardworking special constables.

“Hundreds of residents have already registered their support for our campaign. If you haven’t yet – please do sign up – the more signatures, the more chance we have of making this happen!”

“The Haringey Lib Dems and I are working hard to help fight crime in the borough – on this campaign and others – including our campaign for a replacement police base in Muswell Hill and for better street lighting.”

Haringey Borough Commander, Victor Olisa, said:

“I am fully behind the proposal to give our Special Constables a 50% Council Tax discount. I think it would be a good reward for the current Specials, and it would encourage more people to sign up and volunteer to fight crime in Haringey.”

Support the campaign to give special constables a Council Tax discount

Posted on 4th Feb 2014 by Lynne Featherstone

Lynne Featherstone MP and the Haringey Liberal Democrats have today launched a campaign to give local special constables a 50% discount on their Council Tax.

The campaigners say this will reward existing special constables, as well as encouraging other local residents to volunteer and help the police fight crime.

The Haringey Liberal Democrats are looking to collect as many signatures as possible to support the campaign – which has been successfully implemented in other Council’s in the UK. Haringey Council will make a decision on whether to adopt the Liberal Democrat’s proposal later in the month.

Special constables have the same powers and responsibilities as regular police officers, and spend up to 16 hours a month volunteering with the police – all without pay – in order to help make our community safer.

Haringey Liberal Democrat crime spokesperson, Cllr Martin Newton, said:

“Our campaign to give Special Constables a 50% reduction in Council Tax will increase the number of these volunteers across the borough. This will give the local police extra help, and make residents feel safer, too.

“Although crime is generally falling, we have seen some shocking burglary figures in parts of Haringey recently. This campaign is just one step in our bid to tackle crime. We’re also campaigning for a replacement police base and front counter in the Muswell Hill area and for better street lighting across the borough.”

Liberal Democrat MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, Lynne Featherstone MP, commented:

“When I’m out on the doorsteps, residents regularly speak to me about crime, or fear of crime. It’s an issue that affects all of us at some point in life.

“So, it’s vital that we give reward and incentivise Special Constables, who give up their own time to fight crime for free. And under our proposal – volunteering to fight crime really would pay off!

“Haringey Council will be voting on 26 February on whether to adopt this policy, so please add your voice to our campaign today.”