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Whole gangs handed Asbos in bid to rid area of drug violence
Ruth Bloomfield16 Dec 2008
POLICE are using "group Asbos" to ban gangs from large areas of London in a clampdown on violent crime.
Officers in Camden have expelled a dozen members of the drug-dealing teenage gang TMS (The Money Squad) from the area for two years.
The gang, one of whose members was shot dead this year in a feud over drugs, are also banned from gathering in groups larger than three following a hearing at Highbury Corner magistrates' court. If they breach the terms of the Asbo they face jail.
"It is unprecedented for this number of Asbos to be granted in a job lot," said Sergeant Roger Smith, of the Camden Town and Primrose Hill Safer Neighbourhood Scheme.
"This is an innovative approach to crime. The idea is that if a group of individuals are going to cause anti-social behaviour as a group then we are not going to be afraid to deal with them as a group."
James King, Camden council's deputy member for community safety, said: "TMS were pretty central to the drugs market. Associated with that were a whole string of other offences, like assault. I think this is being viewed by the Home Office ... as a good way of dealing with drug problems, and we are starting to see the results."
The move follows an earlier mass Asbo operation against another notorious Camden Town gang, The African Nations Crew.
Orders were granted against ten of its members after a court heard they were involved in crime, drugs and violence in the area. Police say banning the gang led to an immediate reduction in violent crime and robbery in the area - until the TMS stepped in.
The TMS Asbos ban gang members from a wide area of Camden Town, including the market, around Regent's Canal and the Tube station.
In May, TMS member Sharmaarke Hassan, 17, was shot dead as he sat on a bench overlooking Regent's Canal.
Five men have been arrested in connection with his killing. They have all been bailed until mid-January.
Reader views (12)
Sergio, are you off your rocker?
The slave trade existed for centuries before any British involvement, with many Africans and Arabs trading in their own countryfolk. Do some research, then you won't play the ignoramus.
This blanket ASBO thing will have little effect. We need tougher policing, with tougher tariffs from from the law courts! Remove all the human rights nonsense, and give these "gangstas" rock-breaking, wheel turning, and no-frills food and accomodation! In other words, proper prison!
- Jock, London, 16/12/2008 20:44
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I know of no criminal who is scared of Nu Labor ASBO!
- Jacqueline, Hampstead, London, 16/12/2008 20:18
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If ASBOs don't work with individuals, how are they gonna work with whole gangs?
- Rogan, Irving, 16/12/2008 19:00
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How about an ASBO banning all bankers from the City of London.
- Mick, London, England, 16/12/2008 16:46
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Now if the headline had read 'Whole Gangs Given Long Custodial Sentences', then the result on the ground would be crime reductions. (especially if we out-sourced our soft-touch gaols to China, India, Thailand or weherever)
ASBO's are meaningless - believe me !
- Cap, london, 16/12/2008 16:26
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How about just doing a fly over and blanketing the entire country with ASBOs
- Trunk, US, 16/12/2008 15:57
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What are the parents doing.
If their children can't be controlled then they should be removed.
People need to take responsibility for their children and not just make excuses for them.
- Simon, London, 16/12/2008 14:51
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Giving people who are charged under suspicion of murder is crazy. They should be jailed - charged and deported after serving their time. As if they care about an ASBO.
- Frederick, London UK, 16/12/2008 13:48
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Now the UK has finally apologised for its disgraceful use of the slave trade this sort of thing will cease to happen in the next few years.
If only the apology had been issued earlier
- Sergio, Sicily, Italy, 16/12/2008 13:21
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As Sykes put it in Oliver Twist, "Time to move on". Look out Islington and Hackney since the 'order' seems to cover just Camden!!
- Tony Islander, Herts, 16/12/2008 13:06
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Ah the ASBO's (failure...), where is the real police?!
- Georgie, Islington, London, 16/12/2008 12:39
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Yeah, an ASBO, that'll stop 'em.
- Bob, Cheam, 16/12/2008 12:07
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