SOUTH WOODFORD: Residents express crime and ASB fears at packed meeting (From East London and West Essex Guardian Series)

Residents tell politicians and police of crime and ASB fears in wake of Cakes and Shakes shooting in South Woodford

12:58am Saturday 4th February 2012 in Your Local Areas By Dominic Sutton

A PACKED public meeting saw members of the South Woodford community express their fears over crime, anti-social behaviour and the night-time economy.

Around 130 people crammed into the Methodist Church on Derby Road, South Woodford, to tell local MP Iain Duncan Smith, Borough Commander Sue Williams and leader of Redbridge Council Keith Prince, of their worries.

The meeting, which was held last night (February 3), was organised in the wake of November’s shooting at the Cakes & Shakes ice cream parlour on Woodford Green High Road.

But Borough Commander Sue Williams said she could not discuss the shooting because it was sub judice.

And it was local bar Funky Mojoe which bore the brunt of resident’s anger.

A steady stream of people stood up to ask why more was not being done by police and the council to contain violence and anti-social behaviour which they felt was associated with the nightspot.

Sheila Matheson of Vale Gardens, was typical of those who spoke.

She said: “If they are open late, it stands to reason there is going to be trouble.

“All people want is a decent area in which to bring up their children.”

Mr Duncan Smith revealed he had been holding regular meetings with fed up residents about Funky Mojoes.

And he added: “We have got to start deciding whether this is a residential area or a commercial area.

“I don’t see why it should be targeted for a night-time economy. It’s a disaster for residents and I think we have to stop it.”

He said he expected the introduction of new government licensing laws would make it easier to clamp down on problem bars.

Det Chief Supt Williams told the meeting: “This is still a relatively safe neighbourhood and (referring to Church End) a safe ward.”

But South Woodford resident Jo Merry said her son had been mugged twice on the High Road.

And she added: “People used to feel this was a safe place to bring up their children, but now there’s a sense of unease.”

And after the meeting Woodford resident Jeanette Caine, 42, told the Guardian that her 15-year-old son had been mugged on High Road in November.

She added: “My son goes to Woodbridge High School, and most of his friends have been mugged.

“It’s got to the stage where a lot of kids are getting too scared to go out now.

“There are gangs around here. Whether they are professional or not, they exist.”

Several residents asked for a more visible police presence on the streets and expressed anger at plans to close Woodford Police Station.

While Det Chief Supt Williams said there were no immediate plans to shut stations, she refused to rule out the possibility, saying: “My guess is that at some point in the future we might well have a reduction in our property stock.”

It was agreed that another meeting to discuss the issues would be held in six months time.

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