Crooks tainting Tooting

CON artists operating on Tooting High Street are ruining the reputation of the town, according to residents and council members.

Increasing numbers of gangs have set up stalls outside the market, selling stolen goods and running crooked card games.

Resident Donal Lawler said: “I have seen people doing this along the South Bank, a group setting up a stall and lookouts with mobile phones down the road.
“There are guys selling dodgy DVDs in plain sight outside the market at weekends. Most people won’t fall for this sport of thing, but they know their target audience.”

Shoppers have reported the issue to police, who have promised to put plain clothes officers on the case, but the blame is being passed by those in charge.

Labour councillor Nick Bowes is determined to bring this to the attention of the Conservative majority council.

“I can offer residents the reassurance that I will fight tooth and nail for Tooting and continue to embarrass the council into doing something to improve this issue,” he said. “I will not shy away from exposing the majority group’s failings.”

Alex Jacob, Conservative councillor for Tooting, believes the issue stems from a low police presence in the borough.

“We are short changed by the Home Office when it comes to estimating the number of officers we need on the streets,” he said. “Tooting is one of the Borough’s five town centres, and we are committed to its continuous improvement.
“There have been several new shops, restaurants and bars opening recently and the general impression is of an area on the up. Such activity undermines all our hard work and we are dismayed by it.”

Cllr Jacob also protested that the streets of Tooting are controlled by Transport for London, as the area is a designated ‘red route’.

Police Inspector Paul O'Herlihy denies there is a problem with policing in Tooting.

“Tooting town centre is covered by two Safer Neighbourhood Teams, giving a total of 18 officers dedicated to the area,” he said.

Many people also feel there is a knock-on effect to the general state of Tooting town centre. Tooting resident Emma said:
“I have witnessed two instances of fly tipping in the last couple of weeks by residents of Tooting. I know that some people think that it's people in vans dropping off their unwanted furniture etc, but I've seen two residents doing this in a matter of weeks.”

Sam Blackledge