Barnes Residents Approve Police "Clean Sweep" On Halloween

3.05.45pm GMT Tue 4th Nov 2003

A survey of Barnes residents carried out on Saturday November 1 by Susan Kramer, Liberal Democrat PPC for Richmond Park, and other local party members showed widespread support for police action to prevent anti-social behaviour on Halloween.

Over a third of residents answering surveys thought that the extra police presence reduced anti-social behaviour in their street while a further 40% reported an absence of anti-social behaviour this year.

Susan Kramer said: "As I live in Barnes I noticed how quiet it was thanks to the police presence in contrast to some youngsters throwing eggs earlier in the week. We want youngsters to have fun but not to make local people afraid and upset by their behaviour."

The Police Crime Prevention Unit also set up a stand in north Barnes on Halloween morning and in south Barnes in the afternoon to provide advice to local people on staying safe.

Susan Kramer reported "The Police Crime Prevention Unit helped me protect my mobile phone both by marking it with an infrared pen and by helping me register its number so it can be disabled if stolen. I am getting the rest of my family to do the same. All children at the very least need this to make mobile phone theft pointless and stop a pervasive and scary crime. I congratulate our community police on their efforts."