Key information
Petition presented by: Jennette Arnold OBE
Date petition submitted: Tuesday 8 September 2015
Petition presented at: London Assembly Plenary
Summary of petition
‘We, the residents of Lordship Park N16 and the surrounding area ask that more funding be made available to Hackney police to enable them to plan and pursue a long-term strategy for ridding the area of prostitution, kerb-crawling and associated anti-social behaviour.
Increasingly, kerb crawlers are accosting local residents, and such incidents have involved victims between the ages of 14 and 60. These activities are highly inappropriate in a family residential area, particularly one with an exceptionally high proportion of young people.
It’s time for a safer neighbourhood!’
Response information
Response title: Mayor's Response
Name of person responding: Boris Johnson MP, Mayor of London
Response date: Friday 23 October 2015
"Thank you for your letter of 11 September about the petition to tackle issues relating to prostitution in Lordship Park N16.
Let me reassure you that I take seriously anything that blights local communities, and the prostitution and kerb crawling issues raised here are clearly doing just that. Addressing prostitution is a priority in my Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) strategy and I remain committed to ensuring that the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and partners are working to tackle this in an appropriate way.
The MPS also recognises how damaging these issues can be to the quality of residents’ lives in Hackney and are taking a proactive approach to address and reduce this. I am assured that they are working to balance enforcement and support. First and foremost, local police are targeting kerb crawlers using a range of tactics from plain clothes operations to using CCTV to identify vehicles and subsequently send warning letters to the owners’ homes. In addition, Hackney police have made use of new anti-social behaviour dispersal zones in an effort to take back areas for the residents and divert prostitution activity away. In partnership with Hackney Council, the MPS have also worked to develop a diversion course for those found kerb crawling. To date, none of the individuals that have attended this course have reoffended.
I acknowledge that this is a sensitive and challenging issue for those in your community and thank you for bringing it to my attention.
I would suggest that, if you have not done so already, you raise this petition at the Hackney Safer Neighbourhood Board who I am sure will want to keep abreast of the issue and ensure there is a continued focus on this at a local level.”
Related documents
Mayor's Response