Enfield Council clamping down on antisocial behaviour

Enfield Council has announced that work to remove the planter outside the George Public House in Enfield town centre will start this month to improve safety and reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.

The decision was made because the area can be dark, damp and intimidating because of the extensive vegetation and is not covered by the town centre's CCTV network. Shoppers and businesses in the town centre have also complained that there is a tendency for people to congregate on the benches and cause anti-social behaviour and nuisance.

Enfield Council's Cabinet Member for Environment, Cllr Chris Bond , said: "We have had a number of complaints over the years that the planter in the town centre acts as a beacon for anti social behaviour and undesirable elements who put shoppers off visiting that part of the town so we've decided to do something about it.

"We are a pro-business council and we'll do whatever it takes to promote businesses in this borough, make the town centre safer, and just as importantly make people feel safer. It is a good way to encourage shoppers to use their local shops and put their money into Enfield 's economy during this difficult financial period. These works will also make the town centre look smarter and make it easier to maintain."

The existing foliage in the planter is in a poor condition and decay has been detected in the biggest tree, meaning they will be permanently removed. The area currently covered by the planter will be repaved to match the rest of the surface in the area. Street lighting in the area will also be improved.

The council and its partners are currently looking at whether it is possible to utilise the space that would be created in an innovative and creative way to further boost the town centre.