COUNCIL leader Doug Taylor says the looting in Enfield this week has no
connection to the shooting of Mark Duggan by police in Tottenham.
Speaking to the Advertiser on Monday morning, Mr Taylor said Enfield was seen as a “soft target” after the rioting
in Tottenham on Saturday night had set a “level of violence” to follow.
He said: “It’s an appalling situation and it is not acceptable – whatever the cause – to have this level of disruption or the fear it engenders. I suspect Enfield may have been seen as a soft target.”
Mr Taylor remained in Enfield Town late into Sunday night. He said: “The police could only react at the point they knew where and when to react. They were having to deal with a situation that was escalating by the minute – I think they took a proportionate approach.
“What happened in Tottenham created a level of violence, but that cannot be connected to this, a day after. There’s no connection.”
Following a second night of looting, this time at the Sony Warehouse, in Innova Park, Enfield Council urged residents and businesses to
support the launch of its new Respect For Enfield campaign to reclaim the borough’s streets. A dedicated phone line for witnesses to offer evidence that can be used to catch the criminals who have rampaged through the
borough, is expected to go live today.
Mr Taylor said: “We are determined to reclaim our streets from the thugs who wrongly think they can do whatever they want.
“We’ve been inundated with requests from people asking if we want help to clear up the borough. This demonstrates the support and strength of feeling among normal people.
“We are launching this campaign to give
people the chance to join forces with us to show Enfield is a safe and friendly place in which to live and work. We want people to go about their daily business and support our night-time economy, without putting themselves at risk, and show there is no place in a civilised society for violence and disorder on our streets. We must restore trust and confidence in the area.”
Source: Enfield Advertiser
