Safe, strong and open communities
You told us that in Camden in 2025 everyone should feel part of a
safe, strong and open community.
What are the issues?
You said that there is a strong sense of community in Camden, many neighbourhoods feel safe, and many of you mentioned times when Camden residents had helped strangers out.
However, there are concerns that some areas are not as safe as others.
You said that knowing your neighbour is everyone’s responsibility, and that making sure an area has a sense of community has to be worked on.
Some people said that they are less likely to know their neighbours now, as people move on more quickly, which can lead to loneliness.
Residents and employers are concerned about serious crimes like knife crime, low-level ‘petty’ crime and levels of antisocial behaviour.
There is also a feeling that there are not enough police and community support officers on the streets.
Young people talked about the threat of gangs, bullying and knife crime, and raised concerns about closures to youth clubs and the future of youth services.
Some residents expressed concerns about hate crime, and ‘mate’ crime towards vulnerable people.
Community partners said that some residents see being a victim of crime as a part of life in Camden, and want to know how we can all work together to change this.
What you told us
“There is a stigma attached to loneliness so people do not like to own up to it. You have to provide options that will take people out of their isolation and help them focus on the positives. Change has to start somewhere.”
Older people’s focus group participant
“I think technology for reporting crime has improved, and should be developed further within the borough.”
Citizens’ Assembly participant
Your ideas to tackle the issues
- You said that residents should take more responsibility for their actions and do more to make Camden a better place.
- Many of you said that more should be done to nurture good citizenship among neighbours, and to make sure that no one feels alone.
- You suggested there should be more community initiatives that bring people together.
- Community partners suggested more joint working across public services, charities, faith communities and community centres, and finding more ways that people can connect with their local neighbourhood.
- Community partners suggested the idea of a ‘single front door’, so that if someone needed information or support they could get it from one organisation or website.
- Residents who are deaf or hard of hearing told us that everyone needs to be more deaf aware, to improve the way they communicate with the deaf community and to break down barriers.
- Some of you feel very strongly that more funding for policing is essential.
- Your ideas for tackling crime and antisocial behaviour include more fines and other measures for authorities to punish people, reopening safer neighbourhood schemes, and creating a portal for submitting photos of possible antisocial behaviour or crimes.
- You said that businesses could do more to tackle antisocial behaviour.
- Young people said they need more places to go to safely meet others, and support to feel safer.
- Some of you want to deal with crime on housing estates by evicting those responsible, and restricting access to estates to prevent crimes such as drug dealing.