"A climate of fear pervades the borough"

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Cllr William Bethell says that stabbings on Shepherds Bush Road illustrate the level of violence

Conservative Cllr William Bethell says that residents are becoming increasingly fearful about levels of violent crime, as illustrated by the latest stabbings by a mob on the Shepherds Bush Road. On Thursday night two members of the public were stabbed by a gang of youths on the Shepherds Bush Road, apparently in a row about a taxi.

"It's a disgrace", says Cllr William Bethell. "We have one of the highest Council taxes in London – yet none of it seems to be spent keeping our streets safe. Residents are rightly concerned for their safety and want to see an increase in visible policing – that’s bobbies on the beat, and CCTV to combat street crime.
Clearly the Home Secretary, David Blunkett, has got other things on his mind at the moment; however, in the meantime, ordinary people are scared to walk the streets at night. It’s just not good enough."

December 11, 2004