HOUSEHOLDS have united to fight back against criminals in their neighbourhood.

Nearly 90 frustrated families in Royston Avenue have vowed to co-operate to tackle drug dealers, robbers and vandals blighting the area.

The first meeting of the new Neighbourhood Watch is due to take place after Christmas and there is widespread determination to reclaim their street.

Organiser Mary Gilchrist, 47, said: "People are sick of the crime on their road and want to take action against it

"People don’t feel safe on their own street at night. It’s not a nice feeling, even though it’s a great community down here.

"We’ve had enough of it because it’s a nice road but criminals coming here make it feel awful sometimes.

"We are all connected by email and we can warn each other about crimes and report anything suspicious to police to check out.

"It means we can hopefully reduce things like vandalism and the smaller crimes by reporting it so the police can act on our information."

But members said they feel let down after Waltham Forest Council said it could not afford two CCTV cameras at each end of the road to deter more serious crime.

Mrs Gilchrist said they have been told the cameras would cost up to £60,000, despite claiming nearby Loughton due to receive 22 new cameras at a cost of £45,000.

She added: "It’s an awful lot of money and I don’t understand how it could cost that much. It’s a blow because it would really help us catch people down either end.

"I know we have a neighbourhood watch now but none of us could go up and confront these people face-to-face. This would have been a real deterrent."

Neighbour Jillian Jacobs, 40, added: "It’s frustrating. We are really pleased to have a big neighbourhood watch but cameras are one of the main ways to tackle these groups.

"People are too scared to approach them and police can’t be here all the time. CCTV is the best way."

Local councillors and Chingford MP Iain Duncan Smith had backed calls for the cameras.

A council spokesman said: "Following the original enquiry officers visited the site to investigate the possibility of installing temporary CCTV in Royston Avenue.

"Unfortunately the system we have is not suitable for the site, and installation costs would simply be too prohibitive given the financial challenges we are facing.

 

"We are currently looking into the possibility of buying a new mobile CCTV system, but this would not be until next year.

"In the meantime, we would advise the residents of Royston Avenue to speak to their local Safer Neighbourhood Team about their concerns.

"The Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team can also offer help and advice, and can be contacted on 020 8496 3000."

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