Last Thursday was ‘Day of 100,000 Conversations’, when council officers and police were out collecting views as part of Barnet’s current consultation on crime and anti-social behaviour, which ends on October 3.

Many crimes affect us all. However, Barnet Environmental Health recently admitted that its target vis-à-vis illegal bonfires (e.g. by builders) is to attend incidents within four hours (one hour if dark smoke).

Excuse me, but what other criminal incidents are allowed to continue for up to four hours before being challenged? This is not a mere inconvenience. Particulate pollution kills an estimated one in 22 Londoners prematurely, based on the Mayor’s study figures.

Why not train civil enforcement officers so they can attend such enviro-crimes first, and parking infringements second?

An increasing anti-social nuisance is leaf blowers. They are a tool by which some people and premises claim the right to emit sustained loud noise (and often noxious exhaust) with industrial regularity, when using a broom would suffice.

If Barnet can’t cut this unilaterally, perhaps it would raise the issue in the Local Government Association?

J Levy

Golders Gardens, Golders Green