Residents and local businesses have welcomed a commitment from the Labour-run Islington Council to install new CCTV security cameras along Whitecross Street, near Old Street.

Problems down Whitecross Street have been building for several years, including shop-lifting, drinking and other anti-social behaviour.  Most worryingly of all, a small minority are known to race mopeds and scooters down the road, intimidating and endangering local residents.

Three local Labour Councillors represent the area – Cllr Troy Gallagher, Cllr Claudia Webbe and Cllr Robert Khan – and they have been campaigning alongside local businesses for the installation of CCTV on Whitecross Street to act as a deterrent against these activities.

Unfortunately under the previous Lib Dem administration in Islington, these requests fell upon deaf ears.

However, under the new Labour Council’s Ward Improvement Plans budget – which targets money for local needs – the local councillors have been able to access money to pay for the security measures which local people desperately need.

Cllr Troy Gallagher, who has been campaigning for the CCTV cameras since 2005, said “we’ve listened to local residents and we are on their side. After years of the previous Lib Dem administration refusing to grant funding for CCTV for Whitecross Street, we are prioritising residents’ safety and security.  This will mean we will be able to take firm action against those who speed dangerously up and down the street on scooters; those who cause anti-social behaviour towards residents; those who engage in noise nuisance and those who loiter outside licensed premises making life a misery for our residents.  The message to these people is clear: your reign is over.”

Cllr Robert Khan emphasised that the CCTV cameras are only part of the plan to improve the area and tackle anti-social behaviour in saying “the new CCTV cameras will be an effective deterrent because they will work in conjunction with the other changes already taking place on Whitecross Street.  Local restaurants have already installed outdoor eating facilities which have made the Street more welcoming for families – we’re supporting them by listening to their needs and installing CCTV cameras so we can identify and bring to book the small number of people who are making life on Whitecross Street a misery for our residents.”

Cllr Claudia Webbe added “making people feel safer in their local environment can increase feelings of belonging and community cohesion, reduce both real and perceived levels of crime and encourage people to spend more time out and about in their community, engaging with others and improving their health and well-being”.

The CCTV cameras will be installed in the near future, and will be monitored from the Council’s central monitoring station in Old Street.  This will send a clear message, Labour is on the side of the law-abiding majority in Islington and is acting to address their concerns.