CRIMINALS face an even worse life in Islington thanks to a new police team
paid for by Islington Council and the Metropolitan Police. <br><br>Extra
officers are taking to the streets of Nags Head and Finsbury Park to tackle
rogue traders who break the law and local crime hotspots.<br><br>Eight PCs and
a sergeant will form a new problem-solving team, which builds on the success
of the existing Nags Head Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT).<br><br>Islington
Council and the Met will jointly fund the new team for the next two years,
with the council paying £350,000 towards the wage bill.<br><br>Cllr Marisha
Ray, Islington Council's Executive Member for Community Safety, said:
"Residents have told us stopping crime is their biggest priority, and we've
listened.<br><br>"The extra officers will tackle the illegal traders who
sometimes target this part of our borough, and also respond to crime problems
nearby.<br><br>"Anyone thinking of breaking the law in Islington should get
the message - crime doesn't pay." <br><br>Chief Inspector Jane Johnson, of
Islington Police, said: "The Nag's Head Team was set up in response to
concerns from the local community who said the sale of counterfeit goods was
their number one concern. <br><br>"The team has already made a huge impact
signifcantly reducing the number of illegal traders. I look forward to seeing
what can be achieved by the newly expanded team."<br><br>The existing Nags
Head SNT is smaller than the new problem-solving team, with three PCs, three
Police Community Support Officers, and a sergeant.<br><br>Since being
established by Islington Council and police in November 2006, the SNT has had
a huge impact on tackling illegal street sellers in Nags Head.<br><br>Overall,
it has seized goods worth up to £1 million, including almost 1.5 million
cigarettes and more than 250,000 DVDs.<br><br>Also it has dramatically cut the
number of rogue traders who target the area. <br><br>The new expanded team
will continue this work, making sure illegal sellers stay out of the area, and
also respond to other crime issues in Nags Head and neighbouring Finsbury Park
as needed. It will also work closely with Trading Standards officers to tackle
rogue traders.<br><br>Funding for the policing team has been agreed by
Islington Council's Executive in its budget proposals, and is now due for
consideration by full council on February 28.
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009