Bounds Green Councillors

Cllr Joanna Christophides, Cllr Matt Cooke, Cllr Ali Demirci

Statement on events in Tottenham and Wood Green

We wanted to post a short message regarding the recent violence and criminal activity in Tottenham, Wood Green and in the last 24hours, across North, East and South London.

Firstly, as your locally elected representatives and community members, we condemn in the strongest terms the violence, criminal damage and theft which we have seen in our wider community.

The actions of a minority, many not from Haringey, are busy ripping the heart out of our local communities, creating physical, economic and social damage which will be incredibly difficult to heal.

We appeal to all families and friends of young people across London to call them home and/or check their whereabouts tonight and in the coming days - this is all our responsibility.

We also wanted to give you an update regarding the impact on Council services:

·         Our emergency housing team has been working around the clock since the disturbances over the weekend to provide support for people displaced by damage to their homes. In all 29 people have approached the council for support - either through the emergency rest centre set up over the weekend at Tottenham Green Leisure Centre or by other means - and we have been able to find alternative accommodation for all of those people.
 
·         The total number of badly damaged residential properties is in the region of 45 - so it is likely that a number of people have in addition made their own arrangements for alternative accommodation. Over 100 further buildings have been affected across the Borough.
 
·         Donations of clothes have been made by local church groups and residents - these are currently at Apex House and are available for collection. Metropolitan Housing are also advising their displaced leaseholders of this.
 
·         Offers of accommodation have also been made by landlords - we are contacting them as necessary.
 
Anyone requiring assistance should call 020 8489 0000 or go to the council's housing offices at Apex House 820 Seven Sisters Road,Tottenham.
 
 In addition three council buildings have been damaged and temporarily closed for business, these are:
 
639 High Road - premises for almost 100 Planning, Building Control and Homes for Haringey staff. Staff being relocated to River Park House. •684 High Road - premises for Mental Health services. 8 staff and a number of service users