The streets of Soho have been likened to a “scene from the Walking Dead” as calls increase for a major crackdown on drugs and prostitution.
Campaigners are demanding CCTV cameras are switched back on and watched by Westminster City Council employees in a bid to reverse the lively district’s “sudden spike” in drug crime.
The proposal is part of the West End Labour Action Team’s five-point plan for tackling drug crime.
It also includes installing bright lights in crime hot spots and establishing a special ‘Soho Drugs Task Force’.
Patrick Lilley, of the Labour team, said: “Throughout the summer we’ve heard stories of shock and fear about the recent surge in drug use and dealing in Soho. This can’t continue.
“Parts of Soho at night resemble a scene from the Walking Dead.”
The plan demands the council reverses its decision to turn off CCTV cameras in the district and to re-employ staff to watch them, saying: “To cut CCTV given present circumstances would be gravely irresponsible.”
Conservative-run Westminster City Council decided in June to cut all of its 75 cameras in order to save up to £1 million a year.
The announcement was met by criticism, with terror and policing expert David Videcette describing it as a “huge, huge loss to police”.
Earlier this month Soho residents held an emergency meeting in St Anne’s Church to discuss an alleged “dramatic rise” in drug dealing and using on their doorsteps – claiming they had returned to the problems of a decade ago.
Many described being “intimidated” and “threatened” by drug dealers, particularly at night or in the early hours of the morning. Others said they had witnessed "disgusting piles of excrement" left outside their homes.
The rector of St Anne's Church, Simon Buckley, claimed the church gardens had "suddenly out of nowhere become overrun with drug users".
He said: "I have seen a dozen users at quarter to ten on a Sunday morning in the church gardens.”
The council’s decision to cut CCTV was raised at the packed meeting, with many concerned the problem could be worse without the cameras.
Cllr Nickie Aiken, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Public Protection, told the Standard: “The decision to decommission the council’s CCTV cameras has already been taken and the cameras remain operational whilst we await detailed proposals from the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime and the Metropolitan Police Service on taking on some of the cameras.
“It is important to note that there are many other cameras in Soho and the West End that have not been affected by the council decision, for example those operated by Transport for London and the thousands more operated by private businesses.”
