I spent a few hours on Saturday with members of South London Citizens, talking to businesses on Burnt Ash Hill about the City Safe project.

South London Citizens have been working with Our Lady of Lourdes Church and local residents and businesses for almost a year, in response to the murder of Jimmy Mizen.  The aim is to make people feel safe again, restore a sense of community and emphasis that young people aren’t the problem, but are part of the solution. 

Almost all the businesses in Burnt Ash Hill are supporting the project – pledging to report all crime to the police and keep an eye on one another.  When the local safer neighbourhoods panel heard about the work, we agreed to make Burnt Ash Hill a priority area for the local police team.

On Saturday, we were asking the businesses to go one step further and become a ‘City Safe Haven’ – somewhere safe a young person in danger can turn to.  We had a fantastic response, with over 30 businesses signing up, and displaying the special sticker in their windows.

I’m really pleased to support this project, which is bringing together the whole community on Burnt Ash Hill – businesses, residents and the church.  The photo shows me presenting Alika Barbers with their City Safe Haven certificate.