Priest in call for action over pushy beggars
nlnews@archant.co.uk
10 January 2007
Reverend Clinton Crawshaw says he wants more done to tackle aggressive begging
A PRIEST is demanding action over the growing problem of aggressive begging at Highbury Corner.
The Reverend Clinton Crawshaw, of Dixon Clark Court, in nearby Canonbury Road, says the tactics of Highbury's homeless population are striking fear into residents.
He decided to speak out after the Gazette reported that trader Harendra Bhatt is facing police charges for using a baseball bat to defend his Highbury Corner kiosk from an alleged drunken thief.
Mr Bhatt found an ally in conservative MP Boris Johnson, and almost 100 people have signed a petition in support.
Now Reverend Crawshaw has joined the cry for Islington Council and the police to do more.
Reverend Crawshaw, who is chairman of the Tenant Management Organisation for Dixon Clark Court - a tower block overlooking Highbury Corner - said: "Mr Bhatt was frightened for his safety. He says things are worse and I agree with him.
"Aggressive begging is increasing and it is affecting our residents, especially the elderly and most vulnerable. But Islington Council seems to have no long term strategy for tackling it.
"I would like to see more outreach work and the police getting involved more."
Reverend Crawshaw used to work in King's Cross during its days as the capital's notorious red-light capital.
"Fifteen years ago there were a lot of homeless people around the Angel, but it's not the same now," he said. "Highbury Corner has ended up a dumping ground.
"A lot of people live and work here and we want to see them putting as much energy into Highbury Corner as they do into the Angel."
A spokeswoman for Islington Council said: "We are working with St Mungo's and the police to discourage begging.
"Support staff, with experience of this work, approach people they see begging and tell them where they can go to get help finding somewhere to live and about substance misuse services."
'We do get involved'
SUPERINTENDENT Alan Baldwin, in charge of operations at Islington police, said: "Since November we've been heavily involved in dealing with aggressive begging around the Angel and the shopkeepers have told us that things are better. We now need to focus on the other end of Upper Street at Highbury Corner.
"We do intervene but there's a balance to be struck because these are vulnerable people with nowhere to go. They require support.
"We work with Islington Council and St Mungo's to make the environment better. But we will listen to the community who report crimes and anti-social behaviour to us.
"Contact us can ring the Highbury East Safer Neighbourhood team on 020 8721 2665 or Islington police on 020 7704 1212.
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