Covent Garden London
The heart of London's West End
Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour Public Meeting
Quick Report
At a recent Public Meeting organised by, among other local interested parties, the Covent Garden Community Association and the Covent Garden Business Group, 465 people discussed the issues of Drugs and Anti-Social Behaviour in Covent Garden. The following positive undertakings were heard:
- The so-called "soup runs" in the area would cease.
- The needle exchange would be closed. It no longer has any backup for rehabilitation work, Project Lilac having ended.
- Camden and Westminster Police are to instigate cross border drugs teams.
- A police kiosk will be opened in Moor Street.
Long term: the closing of St Mungo's hostel, with a plan to work with smaller units purchased through the sale of the property.
This was a meeting at which many locals took the opportunity to bring home the severity of the situation to anybody - or any body - that had previously underestimated it. Despite the supporting announcements of the authorities, the mood of the meeting was that it is through the community, and community action, that the menace of drugs and related street crime will be successfully countered. The Covent Garden Community Association received pledges from over 50 people willing to help in some way, while many businesses in the area are keen to develop a concerted campaign.
There were even calls for the legalisation of drugs - views which reflected, perhaps, the openness of the meeting and the diversity of our vibrant community.
It's planned that a second meeting will be held in 6 months, when promises and progress will be assessed. What is clear is the community must continue to make aware to the relevant authorities the problems caused by drugs and its associated crime, and all bodies must work more closely in developing coherent strategies.
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