Letter to Editor: Market Square in Town Centre is still a “No-Go” area
Crime / Sat 14th Sep 2019 at 09:15am
Dear Editor,
CAN you contact Harlow police and find out what they are doing to tackle the problems with the kids around the Adams House area in the Town Centre?
We are shop owners in the area and are sick to death of the weed smoking, drug dealing and fighting.
Last week someone was glassed in the face. This week someone was stabbed in the head with a corkscrew.
This week, one of the feral kids swung a D bike lock at a middle aged man’s head.
Yesterday the ‘kids’ were out in force.
The police are very aware of all the problems but do nothing about it.
Yesterday we saw one police officer drive up in his car and drive straight off again.
We don’t know what to do any more. We are scared to go to work and will end up losing our business.
We don’t want to give our names or we will start getting trouble from the kids. Apparently they are worse at night and that part of town is a ‘no go’
Name and address supplied
durcant
2019-09-14 13:46:52
Let’s be absolutely clear Harlow Town centre is not and never will be a no go area. We have a few people who want to damage and destroy the great reputation that shop owners and landlords have within the town centre. Talking down the town centre won’t resolve the problem. Telling people if they come into the town they will be glassed or attacked with a corkscrew won’t help local businesses. Every town centre has and sadly will have isolated idiots and thugs who think it’s ok for anti social behaviour. It is fundamental wrong to blame all anti social behaviour on kids. Whilst I full accept we have challenges and incidents let’s not carried away.
MickyB77
2019-09-14 16:41:44
As usual durcant, you're completely missing the point. "isolated idiots and thugs" , are you for real ? Gangs of feral youths are rampaging around Harlow, and you more or less deny it ! How do you keep the position you're in ? Typical of the lefties, deny everything and it'll be ok. A bit like the BREXIT vote. Glad that you accept, "we have challenges and incidents". Schlemiel. I ask you, would you tolerate what these people endure in YOUR neighbourhood ?
rosie
2019-09-14 18:00:04
Talking down the town is maybe the only thing to get the police to do something about it, coz let’s face it, they are doing nothing at the moment. And by them not doing anything it is not helping my business. You should try sitting in the middle of it every day and see if your opinion changes! Once it gets past 6pm that area is a no go area. No way would I want my kids walking past them animals. People need to be made aware of what goes on so they can protect their family and avoid the area. And as for the anti-social behaviour being blamed on the kids - the ones in question probably range from 14-18
RayMo
2019-09-15 09:02:11
Well I for one will not go up there, it's like a scene from Sean of the dead. A proverbial cesspit so it is now,
MickyB77
2019-09-15 15:27:40
Make them aware rosie, along with your friends. This shower that rule the town hall are definitely, not fit for purpose. The so called representative of the people,durcant, already demoted, assumes that, by right, he knows and is aware and has all the answers to any problems in the town. The difference between us and these councillors, is, we know what the hell is going on, they just deny everything, and denigrate and abuse anyone who has the temerity to query the lack of action. Oh, it's the fault of the police, according to...............................................
kthe5
2019-09-15 22:37:42
Harlow Council's policy on anti-social behaviour is available here: https://www.harlow.gov.uk/sites/harlow-cms/files/files/documents/files/Anti-social%20Behaviour%20Policy.pdf I see nothing in the article above, or durant's reply, that suggests Harlow Council have gone against anything in the official policy. "Gangs of feral youths are rampaging around Harlow" No there isn't.
MickyB77
2019-09-16 10:32:02
Do you see what you're up against rosie. Instant denials of facts, supplied by you, that's the lefties for you !
Frances Mason
2019-09-17 07:37:58
As a Councillor for Toddbrook which covers the Town Centre, myself and fellow Councillors have worked in both the criminal justice and social care sectors, have a wealth of experience in these areas. We regularly visit the Town Centre and talk with Shop Owners and liaise with the Police. Cllr Tony Edwards led a campaign to increase policing in the Town Centre which has led to a Town Centre Team being recently deployed. The problems in the Market Square and bus station are complex. Displaying vulnerable families to an area where they have no support has compounded some of these issues. The Leader of Harlow Council, Mark Ingall, is working with London Boroughs to take responsibility for their actions. There is no quick fix, Regeneration of the Town Centre takes time. I make sure I support local trade, the recent end of the carnival show in the Market Square shows what can be done by Harlow Council. #BigUpHarlow
MickyB77
2019-09-17 15:49:03
Absolute twaddle Mason. Go and listen to your rate payers and see what they have to say. So, rosie, in your estimation, is clueless about the situation where she operates in. Oh yeah ! Get out of your ivory tower and go and talk to these shop-owners, they are certainly more clued up than you, and the rest of the Lefties. Rosie isn't really interested about who or what, just some cover or protection for her business before the thugs wreck it, for her and many others.
MickyB77
2019-09-18 15:36:31
Mr Mason, " no problems in the town" , you say. Check out to-days police report, re the weapons found that were hidden, in, the TOWN CENTRE. Have you been round to have a chat with the ' rosie ', the lady you just about accused of lying, to assure her that you will try harder ? Harlow Socialists, all mouth but no trousers !
MickyB77
2019-09-22 16:17:19
To add more fuel to this already blazoning fire, an injunction was sought by police to turn the whole of the town centre into, " a no go area ". it's apparent, Cllr Mason, that you aren't up to speed on this issue. Therefore, as Councillor for the area I would be offering apologies to ' rosie ' and any others trying to earn a living there.
DLJ
2019-10-02 11:25:08
Every time I go to the town centre I see an incident of potential or actual violence and drug dealing. Uniformed police presence does not stop this from happening , only postpones it until they move on. If I had been a plain clothes officer I could have made at least 2 arrests at the point of offence. One example of this took place at the steps leading down to the underpass leading to Sainsbury's. I even witnessed the dealer hiding the rest of his stash in the shrubbery half way down the steps. If any police officers are interested it probably is still there. I'm not holding my breath on that though.
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