June Newsletter

Dear Members

Crime and antisocial behaviour

See attached for the latest report from the Safer Neighbourhood Panel (SNT) meeting of 29 May.  Since then there has been an escalation of trouble in this neighbourhood, from quite young kids kicking doors, jumping on cars and behaving in threatening ways.  If you are on the WhatsApp group you will be following this, and will be aware that we are in touch with the police through our representative on the SNT, John in Raglan St.

The advice remains, ring 999 when Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) is seen actually taking place as that currently is the only guarantee that it can be logged and a cumulative pattern recognised.  If you have a door cam that might provide useful evidence to give to the police.  Pictures of children not actually committing crimes should not be posted online without consent.

Several of us have spoken directly to the kids, with varying results, and one resident has now told a parent that their children are likely to be in trouble with the police.

John adds:

“We have a panel meeting in a couple of weeks on 24th so I can certainly pursue it then too. There is due to be a presentation by the police then on a new Met initiative about engaging with the public so it will be a good opportunity to confirm expected points of contact.”

The Alma St Fair

With all of the above and more going on, the follow up report of the Alma St Fair has been delayed.  In brief it was a great success – some people said it was the best one ever.  The number of people attending was definitely less that previous years. This was partly because it was on a Saturday – a change forced on us as Windrush on Talacre was on the Sunday. And partly because of the heat and the warnings on the media not to bring dogs and children out in the sun.  

That meant  it was not so good for stall holders’ takings but it did mean a calmer atmosphere and more time to talk to each other. And it did just about break even financially. 

It is probably invidious to name people and we will certainly miss many but…

Massive credit and thanks to the main organiser, Jonathan of Willes Rd.   Also to Jane, Sarah and Jeremy of Alma St for organising the huge number of volunteers – who all worked really hard for long hours. David of Willes who had the massive task of organising the 100+ stalls. Jonathan of Brinsmead for getting prizes and organising the raffle which was vital to our viability,  Chris at MAP, Michael Ptootch and Dan Carrier all provided the music.  Autograph for the sound systems. Paul our treasurer for getting the card machines set up and doing the accounts. And about 50 other people including the private stall holders and the businesses who also ran stalls and others who gave raffle prizes.  Others like Morgans and Kall Kwik did us very favourable rates on printing.

The parade was a great success and we are grateful to them and to the first aiders from The Lido. And to Veolia to clearing up and to Camden for support and road closures ….  and we could go on and on!   

West Kentish Town Estate – planning application now online 

Many of you, especially to the west of our area, have been following the saga about the redevelopment of the WKTE.  There is a lot of concern about overcrowding, building height, loss of green space and amenity. This may sound as if it’s a long way away but in fact it is right up next to our area and developments there, especially very tall blocks of flats will have a major impact on us.

This is the application:

Regis Road, the “Film Quarter” and the recycling centre

Again, much activity on the WhatsApp group about Camden’s Local Plan and a proposal to re-site the Recycling Centre on the Police Station car park, near Holmes Road homes and directly across the road from St. Patrick’s School.  Following the earlier consultation, there is a firm commitment to keep a Recycling Centre in the Regis Road area, and this is now in the Local Plan. The actual location if it is re-sited remains controversial. Many residents argue that it should be elsewhere on the site.  Camden say that a new Centre would be enclosed and soundproofed. The developer has proposed a meeting with us to discuss plans, and we will arrange this between them, us and the most affected residents.  Let us know if you have a particular interest in attending.

Camden consultations:

1. Cultural Strategy
   Following extensive consultation with residents, the culture sector, artists, and stakeholders, Camden Council is pleased to share a draft of the new cultural strategy for 2026–2031.  Culture belongs to everyone, and this is your chance to influence how it shapes life in our borough over the next five years.

• Read our Cultural Strategy
• Have your say! It will only take a few minutes and will help us deliver a strategy that truly speaks to our community.

Our survey is open until Thursday 31 July 2025.

2. Camden Town Vision

See attached flyer

Changes in the High Street and nearby:

Many people have reacted enthusiastically to the news about the old Carpetland Shop in the High St, opposite the end of Prince of Wales Road. After months of speculation, it is now definite that it is to be an Aldi.

And the site in the High St that was ironically Aldi’s main competitor, ie Lidl,  and was later Mighty Pound is now slated to be a gym.   There are mixed responses to that news, given the fairly large number already in the neighbourhood.

The Co-op has applied for a licence to sell alcohol up until 2.00 am – through a hatch to customers – or to delivery riders to take to customers. We wrote supporting the objection by Kentish Town Road Action and referred to IARA’s long established and confirmed opposition to extending licensing hours that late, which would be a precedent for all shops. Subsequently a minority of members have wondered whether our support for the existing framework hours is still IARA’s position.  We have agreed to speak at the Licensing Committee to confirm that the majority are concerned about this application.

General sadness at the news that the award winner ice cream place, Caliendo, is closing its doors although it may be that their ice-cream will be available at Phoenicia.

The Grafton Arms is changing,  The people who took it on many months ago have given up, possibly in the face of insoluble problems with the building but the good news is that new people are taking on both the Grafton and the Gypsy Queen on Malden Road.

#2 Prince of Wales Road is the old Law Centre / CAB, and their application is in for major works creating a new floor in the building. This will hopefully allow enough commercial shared office space to fund the ongoing costs of the community use. In the meantime, the IARA yoga group continues to meet Tuesday lunchtimes and Greta of Inkerman Road is very much appreciated as an excellent teacher.

D&D Inkerman Area Residents Association

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Dear Local Residents, Businesses, Organisations, and all other stakeholders,

Have Your Say: Shaping the Future of Camden Town – Public Engagement Now Open!

We are pleased to announce the launch of our public engagement programme to develop a Camden Town Vision.

With so much happening in Camden Town, we believe now is the right time to take a holistic look at its future. We aim to develop a framework that will guide investment to build on Camden Town’s strengths, retain its uniqueness, and foster a place that is vibrant, safe and welcoming. This public engagement is about understanding what issues are important to you and what you see as opportunities for Camden Town. The public engagement is now open and will run until 31st August 2025. We want to hear your views. 

Here are the ways you can have your say:

• Online platform: Visit our online platform at Have Your Say Today – Camden Town Vision – Commonplace to provide your feedback and find details on all in-person events taking place across the area.
• Public exhibition: View our public exhibition at Camden Town Library (218 Eversholt Street, NW1 1BD), during opening hours.
• Public drop-in sessions at Camden Town Library: Come and speak with us in person on:
  • Tuesday 15th July: anytime from 2pm – 6pm
  • Saturday 26th July: anytime from 11am – 3pm
  • Thursday 21st August: anytime from 10am – 2pm
• Street pop-ups on Camden High Street: Come and speak with us at one of the street pop-ups on:
  • Friday 18th July: anytime from 11am – 8pm
  • Saturday 19th July: anytime from 11am – 8pm
  • Wednesday 6th August: anytime from 11am – 5pm
• Email: You can provide written comments or submit any questions by email to camdentownvision@camden.gov.uk
• Telephone: Call us on 020 7974 7949

Attached to this email is the Camden Town Vision flyer with information about our engagement activities. Please share the flyer with anyone you think might be interested in giving their views!

We look forward to hearing from you and working together to shape Camden Town’s future.

Regards,

Design and Place Team

London Borough of Camden

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Minutes of the Kentish Town Safer Neighbourhood Panel Meeting 

Location Willingham Close TRA Hall 

Date & Time 29^th May 2025, 6pm. 

Welcome, Introductions, apologies & minute approval. 

In Attendance: Joyce McLean (Bartholomew Rd / Camden Residents Panel),John Webb (Kennistoun House / Willingham Estate), Sergeant Harvey Stewart (Met Police / Kentish Town SNT), PC Aleksandra Ilkowska (MET Police / Kentish Town SNT), PC Archibald Moore (Kentish Town south), PCSO Danny Fitzsimmons (Kentish Town North), Nick Rabin (Rochester Terrace Gardens), Jeremy Ledlin (Kentish Town south). Fr Guy Willis (St Benet’s), Andrew Deans (Cantelowes Park), 

Apologies:  Derek Jarman (Chair), Paul Braithwaite (Bartholomew Area Residents Association), Cllr James Slater (Kentish Town North), Cllr Meric Apak (ward councillor), Gail Matthews (Kenbrook House), John Nicholson (Inkerman Area). 

John Webb took the Chair (in Derek’s place) and welcomed the attendees. 

The minutes from the previous meeting were circulated and there were no objections. 

Update from the Police – Local Issues 

Sgt Stewart reported the following: 

There are quite a few staffing changes within the Kentish Town safer neighbourhood policing. 

Unfortunately, the MET police have a lot of distractions which draw on staff resources, including policing central London demonstrations (including the middle east conflict, Pakistan / India, extinction rebellion and UK farmers) 

Kentish Town are hoping to get 4 extra PC’s soon and to get them on the streets, as well as taking on more local school roles.   

Shoplifting: police are focussing on this and they’re finding that the shoplifters being caught and charged, are often linked to other crimes that aren’t shoplifting. 

There will be a focus on retail theft, especially Tesco, Sainsburys and the Co-Op.  Boots and Superdrug do internal reports and don’t necessarily bring the issues to the police. 

If needed, extra resources can be drawn from teams in West Hampstead, Belsize Park and others in Camden. 

John Webb noted that Sainsburys have redesigned their layout possibly to reduce shoplifting.  It would be good to know if the new system works. PC Aleksandra noted ‘it’s difficult for the shop security to restrain / detain thieves because their powers are limited’. 

Sainsburys in Camden Town was reported as having ongoing drug / ASB issues in and around the basement car park, despite the re-design and refurbishment. 

Compared to other parts of London, Kentish Town is toward the bottom of the scale when it comes to number of crimes committed. 

Across the last 30 days, the following crimes were reported in Kentish Town: 

• Theft 12 
• Burglary 1 
• Robbery: Drugs 7 
• Public order: 2 
• Criminal damage: 5 
• ASB reports 24 

The Police summary charts of reported crimes, arrests and activity were circulated and are summarised here.  The spreadsheets are at the end of these minutes. 

• Thefts from a vehicle 
• Residential Burglary 
• Sexual Offences 
• Possession of Drugs 
• Violence against a person 

Camden Council Update  

The resident committee members noted that it was disappointing that no-one from the council could attend. It was noted that although there was a lot to discuss, there was no-one from the council to discuss it with.  

It was suggested that all SNP dates for the whole year could be set at one time, in order to reduce the number of cancelled meetings, and to have a better chance of getting local authority officers present at the meetings. John Webb noted that he would look into the potential for booking 12 months of meetings in advance. 

General contact details for Camden Council. 

If anyone is reporting ASB incidents, please send details of the case to the above two Officers, copying in Derek, so he can be aware of the issue/s. 

Natasha Dickinson (South Kentish Town Ward), email: Natasha.Dickinson@camden.gov.uk 

Olutayo Kusanu (North Kentish Town Ward), email: Olutayo.Kusanu@camden.gov.uk 

Matters Arising From Panel Members & Local Issues 

1. Bartholomew (south Kentish Town) 

Joyce commented on an incident where late at night someone was trying to get upstairs with a trolley.  There was a vulnerable female close by – she was eventually supported well by the authorities.  Sgt Stewart commented that he received a good quality image of the offender and someone was apprehended. 

Thefts from people on bikes is a worry for locals in Kentish Town.  Joyce noted that it’s a ‘free for all’ with the bikes on pavements, including electric bikes.  Fr Willis suggested putting more resources on to a specific focus of thefts from bikes.   

Joyce commented that she’s now become too worried about crime and ASB in the Rochester Gardens area and now prefers to go to a park in Finchley, which is a shame. 

2. St Benet’s and surrounding area 

Fr Willis reported that the pedestrianised area by the church, the ‘speedy cut-through’, has had a reduced amount of speedy traffic – good news.  

He also commented that it would have been good it the councillors were present at the meeting, because he has some concerns he would have liked to have discussed. 

There was an incident of tool theft from a vehicle.  It seemed like opportunism. 

3. Rochester Rd / Terrace / Gardens:  

Nick Rabin noted the following: 

There was a mugging of a young girl in April involving 10 persons with knives.  Police apprehended the offenders. 

Last week, 6-10 youths were racing around Rochester Gardens on mopeds. Some residents thought the youths were having fun / horseplay.  Some residents thought it was threatening behaviour.  The youths were wearing black clothing including balaclavas.  Nick noticed them exchanging money amongst themselves. 

Specific times and dates were passed on to the police relating to the above. 

General drug dealing in Rochester Mews is still happening. 

A lot of drug users have been seen moving through the area looking to score from dealers. 

Car break-ins: There have been six since January.  The items of choice for the thieves seem to be the luggage tray at the rear of the vehicle, as well as the retracting boot guard / blind. Popular vehicles include BMW’s and Land Rovers. 

2 x middle aged males were seen on electric bikes (fat tyres), on 30/4/25, behaving suspiciously. 

Parcel theft is ongoing, from doorsteps of residents. 

A resident’s steel bike shed (one of the ones on the street) was broken in to. 

4. Kennistoun / Willingham:  

John Webb commented 

There have been people loitering around the local food bank, acting suspiciously. When he asked the food bank people about it, they commented: ‘Oh, it always happens’. 

There have been people hanging around the back of the Willingham TRA Hall near the container, looking suspicious, probable drug dealers.  When it’s reported and the police arrive, the suspicious persons disappear.  When police leave the scene, the suspicious persons re-appear. They turn up around 4pm / 5pm and they hang around until late at night.  The evidence has been emailed to the police. 

PCSO Danny notes: We will get to this and speak with them, and once they know we’ve clocked them, they will move on. 

John has had discussions about the potential for a group of residents to get together and speak directly with suspicious persons. John asked for police advice on this strategy.  The general police advice is to stay safe, keep your distance and just report the crime.  John will pass this message back to residents and encourage them to report crimes / ASB more. 

5. Cantelowes Gardens: 

Andrew noted: E-bikes are being used by riders all in black. The riders find a target in the skate park, circling their victim and mugg them. 

Andrew noted that there was more sticker-advertising of the sale of drugs via mail-order, and provided examples, below. The stickers appear on street furniture, light posts and in other public places.  According to a recent SKY TV investigation, it all leads back to an eastern European gang. 

Police noted that they remove some stickers themselves (as does Andrew), and have asked Camden for help here, because the police don’t have the resources to do this. 

Andrew was recently violently attacked in Cantelowes Gardens, near the sports pavilion.  After a struggle / fight, the attacker stole Andrew’s iPhone. 

Andrew commented that outsourcing of contracts to external companies to provide security, garden work and maintenance, doesn’t work because there doesn’t appear to be any accountability. 

For example, contractors who come to close the park, usually leave at least one gate open overnight.  The gates are never locked at sundown. 1 open gate provides access for all kinds of undesirables. When the gate/s are left unlocked overnight, one can sometimes walk into the park at 1am / 2am and all kinds of monkey business can happen. 

John Webb said he would pass these comments on to council officers. 

There is the potential for some of the Royal Parks security workers to start working for Camden as in-house staff. Apparently their contracts with Royal Parks have been terminated 

6. South Kentish Town 

Jeremy commented: Good news: Police caught the burglar who broke into Abbey Tavern early one morning.  He was a local person known to the police. 

7. Inkerman Area 

In his absence, John Nicholson emailed the following notes to the committee. 

The annual Alma Street Fair is on Saturday 21 June, from 12 noon.  All welcome 

There has been an increase in ASB on the Raglan Estate, some of which has been reported by neighbours.  This includes an incident in early May when an elderly resident of the flats was punched by teenagers, where the police attended. 

The good weather has seen groups of youths gathering in the children’s play area making lots of noise, drinking and leaving bottles and nitrous oxide gas canisters around.  

Future Priorities, for the next three months 

1. ASB 
2. Shoplifting / retail theft 
3. Phone theft. 

Date and time of two next Meetings. 

Thursday 24^th July at 6pm, Willingham Close TRA Hall. 

Thursday 25^th September at 6pm, Willingham Close TRA Hall.