Local MP Nickie Aiken has backed calls for a greater police presence in and around Great Peter Street. The existing local police team is 50% down on official staffing levels - which makes it harder for them to tackle anti-social behaviour and criminality.
Meanwhile, local people, especially parents with school-age children, churchgoers, and businesses, are very concerned about anti-social behaviour, drug taking, drug dealing and drunkenness.
Nickie spoke with local Cllr Tim Mitchell. Watch their conversation or read it below.
"I'm here with Councilor Tim Mitchell from St James's Ward.
"We have had so many complaints from local people about anti-social behaviour and crime in this area.
"So bad has it become, the children at the local school, St Matthew's, told us they're scared to come to school.
"Tim, what action have you been taking?"
Tim explained,
"We've been working with the local police and council officers and the hostel managers and the estate managers for Peabody Estates to tackle this problem. "The main problem which we've identified is that there aren’t unfortunately enough police officers in the local area.
"So we're asking people to sign our petition to get the Mayor of London to ensure that we're properly resourced."
Nickie concluded,
"So, this is the petition. "There aren't enough police on our streets.
"We're calling on the Mayor of London (Sadiq Khan) to give us more police.
"Please sign our petition."
