10:00am Friday 30th July 2010
By Kevin Bradford
BOOZE-fuelled crime in North Finchley has dropped by a quarter after pressure from residents over the past few years.
Police, Barnet Council and people living in the area have worked to rejuvenate the atmosphere around Tally Ho after it had become a hotspot for violence and disorder.
Dozens of premises began applying for late-night licences following the introduction of 24-hour drinking in 2005, which sparked a surge in alcohol related incidents in the following 12 months.
But figures obtained by Ian Murphy, of Stanhope Road, show the number of crimes recognised by the Home Office as directly being linked with alcohol has dropped by 25 per cent in the West Finchley and Woodhouse wards.
Incidents of violence fell from 612 to 456 between 2006 and 2009. Assault with injury fell by 44 per cent to just 141 over the same three-year period, and criminal damage dropped by 65 incidents.
Across the 12 categories, all but two fell, with the total incidents for both wards dropping from 1,813 to 1,366.
Mr Murphy, an accountant who voluntarily challenged many aspects of licensing applications on behalf of the community, said everyone involved should be proud of the results.
He said: “At the start we were being disturbed by noise and music past 1am and there were regular fights. It wasn't very nice to live around here at that time.
“Police were doing the best job they could but with weakened resources.”
Mr Murphy sat a graduate diploma in law to allow him to better challenge the applicants, and through working with the authorities, the community regained a degree of control.
He said: “Now it is like living somewhere else. If I go to bed at 11pm then I know I will not be woken up by disturbances outside.
“It demonstrates that people can get themselves protected, while there are others out there who they can work with and talk to to resolve the problems.
“It has fundamentally changed peoples lives and we are determined not to let it go back to how it was. Communities have to have pubs, but there has to be a balance. If the type of pub is compatible with the area, then it shouldn't cause a problem.”
The work has been praised by David Stephenson, chairman of the West Finchley ward panel, which liaises with the Safer Neighbourhood Team.
He said the results were “very encouraging” and proved what could be done when people worked together.
“It is vital this happens because unless we have the community working together with the police, the council, licensing committees, we end up with a disjointed approach where results like this are not possible,” said Mr Stephenson.
“Clearly it had reached a point where it was unacceptable around here and and safety was an issue. It had a very negative impact on the Tally Ho area in particular.
“The community responded very well. It shows that where you get the community involved in these issues, you can make a difference.”
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