Don't blame crime on the bus station

Sep 18 2008 Harrow Observer

IN SUPPORT of Harrow Bus Station.

When the bus station was opened, if I recall correctly, it was hailed by all as a tremendous improvement on the previous provision and I understood when opened it had the support of the police, local authority and the wider community, including our own panel members and other user groups.

In my view it is not the bus station that needs urgent attention or significant change, it is the way the focus of blame is focused on the facility rather than dealing in a consistent and sustained way with the cause of the serious problems, namely those who engage in anti-social and criminal behaviour.

We need to root out those responsible for breaking the law and through due process for arrests, prosecutions and convictions secured and exemplary sentences imposed by the courts.

For far too long there has been a tendency to focus blame on anything and everything but the root of the problem and this cannot be right. I understand from the leader of the council, David Ashton, that funding for an additional six police officers for central Harrow is being provided, not through the police precept, but by the council directly through council tax funding.

This is good news if it really impacts tackling the problems of the bus station and beyond, with performance delivery carefully and regularly evaluated by all concerned 'parties', not least council taxpayers themselves.

Rather than target this much-improved facility, let's all cooperate with the police to achieve effective enforcement in what we are regularly assured is such a safe borough to live and work in.

In recent months I have started to use public transport more regularly, and I think I speak for many law-abiding users, both young and old that in so many ways the bus station is a tremendous improvement on previous provision.

ROSS SIMPSON

Chairman Harrow Crime Prevention Panel

Rosslyn Crescent Harrow