'YELLOW-JACKET' SQUAD MOVE IN ON THE DEALERS

But Traders Say: 'We Need Real Police'

CAMDEN Town is to be flooded with police community support officers in
the latest bid to drive drug dealers off the streets.

The new team of 18 men and women is due to be launched tomorrow
(Friday) afternoon.

But, as the officers prepare for a photo-shoot alongside Liberal
Democrat council leader Councillor Keith Moffitt and Borough Commander
Mark Heath, traders say that what the area really needs is
fully-trained police officers.

There will be 10 freshly-trained police officers patrolling the
streets around the station.

But tomorrow's launch of the anti-drugs drive will focus on how the
Town Hall has forked out UKP300,000 to pay for the new police community
support officers (PCSOs).

Cllr Moffitt said it was because late-night shift workers live in fear
of attack - as highlighted by a New Journal investigation last week -
that the council is bringing in extra support.

He said: "We have listened to residents' calls for strong action to be
taken against the drugs market in Camden Town and we have responded by
making this significant investment in a strong police presence.

"The council can now kick-start a focused and co-ordinated effort to
break the drugs market and make real progress towards a safer Camden
Town for all."

Cllr Moffitt added that concerns over the lack of police presence
between 3am and 6am had been discussed with Chief Superintendent Heath.

Twenty police officers and 30 PCSOs will now be assigned to Camden
Town.

Inspector Paul Morris said: "PCSOs are not there to replace police
officers, but to support them. It is not intended they will be working
late at night as we want them working in the community during the day.

"The intelligence they gather can also be used to obtain anti-social
behaviour orders. All of these things will disrupt the drugs market."

Police say they are hoping to improve their relationship with local
businesses.

Andy Morrice, 37, who runs the British Boot company next to Camden
Town Tube station, said: "Police officers are fine but these men in
yellow jackets do not have any power of arrest and do not command any
respect at all. They are a cheaper version of police officers."

During the five years he worked as a sandwich board man, he saw the
drug dealers at work.

Mr Morrice said "It's systemic. They have learned over generations it
is an easy way of making money.

"The people you see selling drugs on the street are not actually
selling drugs they are scamming tourists.

"Another reason we have a major problem here is because we have shops
selling alcohol 24-seven."

Vimal Tadvi, 29, who has worked in Caffe Silver in Camden Road for two
years, said he has seen dealers arguing with community support officers.

He said: "We need real police around the clock. People feel the
community officers are useless."