More police patrols will curb violent' activities

5:15pm Monday 21st May 2001

BROMLEY police have promised to provide more officers near a house for young homeless people if complaints about the alleged “violent” activities of its occupants continue.

Inspector Trevor Crozier acknowledged crime was higher in the area since the Charles Darwin Scheme, which was set up for 16 to 25 year olds, was opened last month.

But he said it was too early to blame a series of thefts, assaults and threats, which have plagued locals, on the occupants of the scheme until an arrest was made.

Jose Gonzalez, who manages a shop close to the scheme, said the offer of help was “better than nothing”.

But he warned: “If they don't do something soon, there will a stabbing or maybe even something worse.”

The figures show there were six assaults from April to the present, compared with three during the same period last year.

Reports of criminal damage had increased by three from eight to 11 and public disorder had also risen from none to two.

Responding to the complaints from residents, a spokesman for English Churches, which runs the scheme, Susan Littlemore, said: “It could be other youngsters who have nothing to do with the scheme who are causing the problems.

“Nobody has been arrested from the Charles Darwin Scheme so we cannot evict anyone.”

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