Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham, has called for the funfair to be dropped from this year’s summer Lambeth Country Show after it attracted gang violence at last year’s event.

Chuka attended the Lambeth Country Show last year and spoke at a Lambeth Community Police Consultative Group (CPCG) public meeting at the event on Saturday 18 July.

Immediately after the meeting, he and other participants witnessed confrontation between two large rival gangs in and around the funfair area of the festival, with a teenager being stabbed in the fracas.

The 16-year old’s arm was slashed with a knife. Hundreds of Police had to intervene and dozens of arrests were made. As the violence escalated, dozens of families fled from the funfair where the violence began.

On the Saturday evening, a 15-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of being in possession of an offensive weapon, along with another boy of the same age who was accused of assaulting a police officer.

Lambeth Country Show, a free annual community event held in Brockwell Park, last year attracted more than 100,000 visitors over two days.

While during the day the event was a success, the funfair attracted gang violence, and Mr Umunna is calling for the funfair to be dropped from the event this year to help prevent trouble breaking out again.

After witnessing the incident last year, Mr Umunna has made his concerns known to the police and Lambeth council, which organises the Lambeth Country Show.

Mr Umunna has been prompted to call for the funfair to be pulled after hearing the concerns of many local parents’ who say they will not allow their teenage children to attend the Country Show because of their worries about security issues and the risk of further gang violence.

Mr Umunna said: “Last year’s Lambeth Country Show was a huge success but was unfortunately marred by gang violence and a teenager was stabbed.

“Trouble was also reported at other events similar to the Lambeth Country Show in Southwark and Lewisham.

“Getting rid of the funfair at our Country Show would reduce the risk of gangs congregating at it, help police maintain order and ensure the event continues to be one of the great highlights in our summer calendar.”

“Having heard the concerns of local parents, I feel we have to act to make sure this year’s event is safe for all concerned – the funfair has acted as a magnet for trouble and removing it makes sense in my view.”

It has been reported by South London Press (‘Ditch Funfair at Top Show’, Feb 19 2010) that Mr Umunna witnessed the stabbing of a teenager at the event. By way of clarification, although Mr Umunna saw the violence at the funfair, he did did not witness the stabbing which took place.

The government has launched new measures to tackle anti-social behaviour in local communities.

Lambeth has been allocated an additional fund of £54,000 to train front-line staff, empower local residents and fund local action to build on the successful fight against anti-social behaviour. Across the country, an extra £10 million is being invested.

Since Labour introduced tools such as anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) the majority of offenders have ceased their activity after one intervention. This combined with the general perception of anti-social behaviour as a local problem falling significantly since 2003 demonstrates the benefits to Streatham of Labour’s approach to law and order.

The new measures include:

- The training of community champions so that they can shape local decision making and challenge officials so that no problem is ignored;

- Training and equipping front-line staff to take faster and more effective action;

- A dedicated Housing Anti-social Behaviour Action Squad providing expert help and solutions for landlords.

- Empowering local residents with the information and tools required to report and tackle anti-social behaviour, for example ensuring that tenants are equipped to challenge social landlords, councils and police;

- Tools and guidance for social landlords along with a Respect Standard that they have to live up to;

- Small scale funding for local action such as environmental clean ups to deal with fly-tipping.

Labour’s approach is in stark contrast to that of the Tories who have constantly voted against tougher sentences and more effective police powers. Despite the impact of gun crime in communities across London they have previously voted against the banning of handguns and five year minimum sentences for carrying an illegal gun.

The Lib Dems have repeatedly tried to obstruct Labour’s measures on crime, voting against the successful Anti-social Behaviour Act along with extended police and local authority powers. These actions brought in parenting contracts which have reinforced positive behaviour and helped remove anti-social behaviour. Lib Dem run councils have a track record of being slow to tackle anti-social behaviour and to use the powers that the Labour government has given them.

That every British citizen is now less likely to be a victim of crime than at any other time in the last 25 years is a testament to Labour’s success on law and order.

Local residents across Lambeth will get extra help to tackle anti-social behaviour with up to ten thousand front-line staff and community champions receiving training and support to use tough powers and solve local problems, the government has announced.

Local councils and social landlords working with the police are tackling anti-social behaviour effectively and supporting victims.

Latest figures from the British Crime Survey show there has been a fall in people’s perception of anti-social behaviour as a local problem over the last six years.

But statistics are cold comfort to victims, and ministers are determined that everyone across the country should be working together in driving down anti-social behaviour and driving up people’s confidence.
Support and training needs to go further and deeper across communities.

The government is therefore calling on frontline staff from community safety teams to housing officers across England to make full use of the powers and tools already available, while giving more support to residents and community activists.

This drive, which is being funded by a £10m package, will target 130 local councils including Lambeth, which is set to receive a new tranche of funding.

This additional funding will support measures letting local residents know the rights and how to report anti-social behaviour through targeted leaflets, regional events and information for local media as well as extra training for frontline staff such as police and neighbourhood wardens.

It will also fund new clean-up campaigns, supporting community led projects to engage young people and creating more attractive public spaces.

Social landlords, including housing associations such as Clapham Park Homes will have a duty to take measures to stop anti-social behaviour, being required to sign up to a binding Respect Standard.

Where this is not upheld, people will be given support to challenge landlords and councils to make sure that action is taken.

A new Housing Anti-Social Behaviour Squad is being set up nationally to deal with crime in areas of social housing, providing help on the ground to deal with problems faced by housing associations.

Commenting, Chuka Umunna said: “Evidence shows that intervention against anti-social behaviour works, and the new measures and funding will help tackle the problem in our area.”

“People need to know that they are not alone – the government, council and police are on their side in dealing with problem neighbours, violence and vandalism.”

In this video, Chuka talks to Streatham resident, Jennifer McDermott. Jennifer’s daughter, Cassandra, was killed in 2001 at her home in Streatham aged 19, as a result of domestic violence. Her killer – Mario Celaire – was cleared of her murder in 2002 but, as a result of a change in the law regarding double jeapoardy, was re-tried and found guilty of Cassandra’s manslaughter in May 2009.

The double jeopardy rule had previously stopped defendants from being tried twice for the same crime on the same set of facts. The MacPherson Report, which resulted from the investigation into the murder of Stephen Lawrence, suggested that the rule be amended so that where “fresh and viable” new evidence came to light in a case, a defendant could be retried. As a result the government passed into law the 2003 Criminal Justice Act which allows retrials if there is “new” and “compelling” evidence.

Celaire’s was the first high profile retrial to take place under the Act where a defendant had previously been acquitted and was then found guilty on retrial. In this case he had beaten up another girlfriend after Cassandra’s death. He confessed to attacking Cassandra to the other girlfriend who, after his attack on her with a hammer, was left paralysed and barely able to speak. However, she lived to tell her story in court and provide the new evidence needed for a retrial of Cassandra’s killing to take place.

Jennifer, Cassandra’s mother, has set up the Cassandra Learning Centre in her daughter’s memory, a charity with the mission of raising awareness of domestic violence in young adults’ relationships. Chuka is a strong supporter of the charity.

Domestic violence is a significant problem both nationally and in Lambeth, which has the highest rate of domestic violence in London. Nearly one in three women in the UK have experienced domestic violence.

Earlier this year, the government launched a consultation on proposals to end domestic abuse, including ways in which police and court powers could be strengthened to control violent perpetrators, particularly serial offenders who move between relationships. Both the public, voluntary groups and charities are being consulted in order to build on what has already been achieved, such as the increase in conviction and prosecution rates over the past ten years.

For more information, visit the Home Office website here: Domestic Violence.

Tessa Jowell, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, and Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Streatham, promote free discount vouchers for home security products as part of a government package of support to help the public prevent burglary and keep crime down.

On 17 April 2007, Tessa Jowell, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, and Chuka Umunna, Labour’s Parliamentary candidate for Streatham, visited B&Q West Norwood to promote free government advice packs for people concerned about becoming victims of burglary.

The pack provides simple and practical advice on what local people can do to prevent burglary and includes discount vouchers for home security products from B&Q and Focus.

The initiative is part of a £20 million package of practical measures to keep crime down. Other measures include:

• Intensified police operations around the country to turn the tables on repeat burglars, with burglary a top priority for the police nationally. This will be backed by £3 million funding in targeted areas, to step up the monitoring and management of burglars on release from prison.
• A new £6 million Safer Homes fund to pay for local handy-people to visit up to 45,000 homes of people who are less likely to have good home security, such as older people and people on low incomes, and install security devices such as window locks making those houses more secure.
• New advice from insurers on what home security measures householders can install to get the best deal from the insurance market.

Local residents can obtain the free advice pack by calling 0800 456 1213. The pack includes the following:

• advice leaflets on preventing burglary and distraction burglary;
• a printed version of the online personalised home security self-assessment from the Home Office website;
• a ‘before you leave the house’ security checklist to put by the front door;
• a guide to Neighbourhood Watch and the benefits of setting up a scheme;
• advice for tenants on home security – their responsibilities and the landlord’s responsibilities;
• a copy of the Policing Pledge; and
• discount vouchers for home security devices at B&Q stores.

Commenting on their visit, Umunna and Jowell said:

“Burglary has more than halved in the last decade and it important we keep it that way.

“The public are our best weapon in fighting crime and, working together, we can stop those criminals who think they can take advantage in these tough economic times.”

Bret Phipps, General Manager of the West Norwood branch of B&Q said:

“B&Q is committed to making people feel safer in their own homes. We offer sensible precautions that needn’t be expensive – bolts, padlocks and timer switches are available from £2.

“We are delighted to support the govenment’s new resource pack. This pack will provide money off vouchers for B&Q’s 1000 home security products, enabling people to feel safer in their homes, ensuing greater piece of mind.”

Anyone who is concerned about burglary can also contact their local neighbourhood police team for information on crime prevention by visiting www.direct.gov.uk/policingpledge and using the postcode search facility to find their contact details.

Jowell and Umunna were accompanied by the Deputy Leader of Lambeth Council, Cllr Jackie Meldrum.

New police and court powers have been announced by the Home Office which will help deal with gangs who use dangerous dogs. There is concern that dogs, such as Pit Bull Terriers, are being trained by gangs to be aggressive and increasingly used in violence or to intimidate others. The new powers will allow courts to restrict the movements of gang members and prohibit them from owning or being in control of dogs. Those breaking such an order would face up to two years in prison. The announcement comes as part of the Home Office’s wider effort to tackle gang culture. Certain dangerous breeds are already restricted by law and last year the Metropolitan Police seized over 600 dogs, the majority of which are on the list of banned dogs, compared to only 27 in 2004/5.

Gabriel Huntley

Chuka is speaking at the Convention on Modern Liberty today with The Observer’s Will Hutton, Chris Huhne MP, musician Brian Eno and Guardian legal correspondent, Afua Hirsch. The convention is being held to bring as many people together to see what common ground can be reached in defence of our freedoms.

Fundamental rights and freedoms are common to us all. The Universal Declaration recognises ‘the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family as the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world’. In Britain such values have an even longer history. We are indeed the inheritors of an inspiring tradition of liberty.

At the same time technical advances from information technology to explosives and the threats of catastrophic climatic change have altered the framework of power and fear. This calls for a renewal of our democratic self-confidence. This is the purpose of the Convention on Modern Liberty.

To watch a live stream of the event, click here: Modern Liberty Convention.

The keynote speech is being given by the director of Liberty, Shami Chakrabarti, who you can watch in the video below:

Chuka was recently asked to respond to reports that replica guns are being sold in Streatham and used by young people for self defence. 

Commenting on the report in this week’s Streatham Guardian (which can be read here: Streatham Guardian), Chuka said:

“Reports of this kind are deeply worrying when the possession of the replica firearm is not for play and recreation, but allegedly for self defence.

“In 2006 we made it an offence to produce and sell imitation guns that could be mistaken for real firearms and we have strengthened the sentence for carrying these replicas so it can be punishable by imprisonment, which of course acts as a deterrent.

“However, I think we – as a community – need to ask ourselves why our young people feel the need to arm themselves.

“I do not remember guns being so prevalent when I was growing up here.

“In my view, what we see is partly linked to the proliferation of gangs leading to teen violence in South London. We must divert our young people away from them by giving them more to do out of school and much more of our time as adults – this why I am delighted that the right to request flexible for working is being extended to the parents of teenagers this April (something I have long campaigned for) and why I am working hard to increase funding for youth activities in this area.”

On the 24th January, a boy of fourteen was taken to hospital following a shooting in Tulse Hill. It is believed that he was attacked by another teenager.

We were all shocked and distressed at the incident, particularly since it involved young people. Our thoughts are with the teenagers involved, as well as their friends and families.

The event is a clear reminder that we need to take urgent steps to engage with young adults in order to tackle violent crime, and get to grips with the socio-economic issues behind the statistics. The whole community must stand together against acts of violence in order to stop them.

Local youth group, the Palace Project takes a similar stance, and has made a long-lasting contribution to tackling youth crime with its engaging and thought-provoking short film on the issue. Part one can be viewed below.

Gabriel Huntley

A noticeable rise in the number of prostitutes working in the Tulse Hill and Brixton Hill areas has followed the disbandment of Brixton Police’s dedicated Vice-Squad.  I am very concerned about this and residents are questioning what the Police and the Council are doing about it.

Myself and local Labour Cllrs Toren Smith, Ade Aminu and Marcia Cameron have worked with local residents to come up with some suggestions.  We are proposing the following:

• More Police resources devoted to assist the local Safer Neighbourhood Police team with an early review of the impact of the loss of the vice-squad;
• The Council should put pressure on London Mayor Boris Johnson to speed up the delivery of the new gate at the Brixton Hill end of Josephine Avenue;
• The Council should begin working up an area wide traffic management plan to stop kerb crawling, so that any displacement from the closure of Josephine Avenue can be dealt with swiftly;
• The Council should limit the 3am opening hours of the off-licences on Brixton Hill to discourage pimps and prostitutes from the area; and,
• The Council needs to address the derelict site at 85 Brixton Hill.

I have met with both Council my colleagues and the Police to let them know of residents concerns.  If you have any further comments to make, please let us know your suggestions using the Contact page here.