News on Safer Spaces Islington

November update on safer spaces

Thank you for providing us with your feedback on safer spaces in Islington. The comments we have received are very useful in helping us understand where you feel unsafe and why.

In response to your feedback we have:

been working with the local street population around Archway town centre. Assisting people who are rough sleeping into safe, secure accommodation

been working with people in Archway who are taking part in in anti-social behaviour such as begging, street drinking and open drug use, to address the root causes of these behaviours

identified areas where improvements can be made to the local environment, for example adding in extra bins and recycling and installing CCTV

been working with the police and ParkGuard to tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) around Finsbury Park. A property in the area that was attracting drug users and rough sleepers has been made secure. Council services are working to provide support to those that need assistance. There has now been a drop in anti-social behaviour giving much needed respite to neighbours

installed CCTV cameras on an estate in Clerkenwell and outside Birchmore Hall in Highbury

closed a property in Highbury New Park following numerous resident complaints and an investigation. We hope this will improve the lives of the local residents who live near this property

reduced the begging activity outside Carpetright at Holloway by providing support to people engaging in these activities

We are going to be carrying out an Environmental Visual Audit (EVA) at the front of Finsbury Park station to look at possible design changes that could make this area feel safer and reduce crime and ASB, and also at Vaudeville Court and Prah Road, close to Finsbury Park, in response to reports of drug use and rough sleepers entering the estate to sleep. We also have our Street Outreach team visiting this site on each shift to provide the required support and manage this.

We have been running safety events across the borough, the next one is on Thursday 9 December between 9am and midday outside Farringdon station. You can get your bike marked and registered for free and checked by Dr Bike. If you have a car you can collect a free catalytic convertor marking kit for your car and you can get safety advice on any issue you are concerned about.

We are going to be sending out a local newsletter to neighbourhoods across Islington every three months. It will include a variety of news, from local events to safety updates, you can sign up to receive the newsletter for your area here.

We know we can reach many more voices across Islington and we want to hear from everyone in the borough – please do keep sharing the site with your friends, family and colleagues. Click on the ‘share’ buttons below!

Posted on 26th November 2021

by Islington Council Community Safety Team