Welcome to our ‘Latest News’ special. In this edition, we’re focusing on how here in Islington, we stand with our communities so that they are safe, connected and inclusive.
Growing up in the borough, I know first-hand how Islington is full of people from diverse backgrounds who pull together and look out for one another. More than ever, the Covid-19 pandemic saw our community united in their efforts to support each another.
I was proud to take part in the Islington Together Women's Walk - a strong show of solidarity to promote the rights of women and girls and to look at what the council is doing to make sure they feel like they can use our public spaces with confidence.
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We will always focus on making our borough safer for women and girls – whether they are at home, at work or out and about. It felt empowering and joyful to walk alongside so many other women who joined the walk, either as individuals or to represent a local group - including co-organiser Anita Grant, chair of Islington4Women.
We listened to people’s thoughts on community safety and spoke about how the council and its partners are working together to keep our communities safe, connected and inclusive. We heard, we listened and we are taking action.
The Islington Together Women’s Walk preceded this year’s International Women’s Day and follows the murders of a number of women in London in recent years, including Bibaa Henry, Nicole Smallman and Sarah Everard. These are all reminders of the work we all still have to do to combat inequality and tackle violence against women and girls.
Read on to learn more about the great work we are doing with our partners to make Islington safer for everyone.
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Let’s Talk, Safer Spaces, and Community Conversations
We know that how safe you feel can be influenced by many factors – including age, gender expression, race, ethnicity, visible religious affiliation, and expression of sexuality, as well as how dark it is and how many people are outside. Our ambition is that no one should feel afraid of walking, running, cycling, or sitting in any part of Islington, regardless of your personal identity, the time of day, or how busy it is.
In July 2021, we launched the Safer Spaces campaign in Islington. We contacted every household and business in the borough and asked them to tell us their thoughts, feelings, and experiences of community safety. Over five months, we received over 2,100 submissions.
Since the survey closed, we have been analysing the data and we will be sharing our findings with you at Community Conversation events. We plan to discuss the outcomes and options for next steps and community involvement. We’d love to see you there – find your local Community Conversation.
We'd also love to hear your thoughts on how we can work to create a more equal borough. As part of our mission to create a more equal Islington – a place where everyone has an equal chance to thrive – we want to understand how the challenges of the past decade have impacted you. That’s why we have launched Let’s Talk Islington. Have your say before 27 March.
Safe Havens in Islington
If you are in danger, feel threatened or harassed on the street, are unwell or just in need of some help you can look for the Safe Haven sign in windows. Someone in the safe haven will be able to help you. Safe havens can help by:
- letting you inside and keeping out those who are threatening you
- calling the police or family or friends
- simply by giving you directions or public transport information
Becoming a Safe Haven is one way for businesses to stand with our communities in Islington. A Safe Haven sign in your window, alongside the specialist training the council provides, can give residents practical help and support to people in need.
Zero tolerance to violence against women girls
We want all women to feel safe in our borough, and we take a zero-tolerance approach to the mistreatment, abuse and violation of women and girls. Any form of violence against women and girls is unacceptable and abhorrent and we will do everything we can to support those who are suffering.
Last year, the council was awarded the DAHA accreditation, which is the gold-standard for housing providers in tackling domestic abuse. What this means in practical terms is that we have worked with our front-line staff on estates, the eyes and ears of our community, and trained them in spotting the signs of domestic abuse, so we can intervene early. One of our concierge team, Rifat, recently spoke out about the work the council is doing to help keep residents safe – watch now.
We have also recruited 26 Domestic Abuse Champions across our services who are responsible for cascading resources, information, learning and good practice to colleagues across the council. It’s important to us that we have champions in place across the borough, who can help us get the message out to spot the signs of domestic abuse.
We know seeking help for domestic violence can be difficult. That’s why our discreet webpages have a handy ‘exit this page’ button throughout. Remember, if you or someone you know is experiencing domestic abuse, help is available.
LGBTQ History Month
We’re flying the inclusive progress pride flag above the Town Hall all month, to loudly and proudly stand with our LGBTQ communities. We’re more than halfway through LGBTQ history month, but there are still many more events for you to get involved with – including our own council staff forum who are hosting an event called ‘Queer London and Islington’s LGBTQ history’ on Thurs 24 February. The online event will feature historic images of past and present LGBTQ venues in Islington and the surrounding area.
Last week, the Leader of the Council stopped by one of the Islington's Pride pink heritage plaques that are dotted around the borough, she said: “We are proud to stand with our communities this LGBTQ History Month, and every other month! I was thrilled to visit the Islington's Pride pink plaque for former Islington MP Chris Smith, now Baron Smith of Finsbury, on Upper Street.
Brave pioneers like Chris, who helped de-stigmatise HIV, and spoke out about the restrictive and debilitating Section 28 (Local Government Act 1988 – 2003) which sought to prohibit the promotion of homosexuality, deserve such public accolades. Islington Council was one of the few councils that stood firmly against Section 28 in the 1980s and, to this day, we proudly include LGBTQ education in schools across Islington.”
Making Highbury safer
We have been working with local police to run three weeks of action around Highbury and Islington station this month.
- There will be a bike marking event tomorrow (22 February), 8am-4pm, to help deter bike theft. Come along to get your bike marked and registered for free! Marking your bike helps to reduce bike crime and keep people safe when cycling in Islington.
- On the same day, British Transport Police will be promoting their ‘Look up, look out’ campaign from 3-8pm to help you keep your personal property safe while travelling.
- From 11am-2pm tomorrow, the Community Safety team from the council will also be at the station, to hear concerns, and give updates on wider community safety work taking place.
Safe spaces for young people
Islington Council, Arsenal and adidas have worked together to refurbish the Harvist Estate football pitch as part of the #NoMoreRed campaign, which seeks to stamp out youth violence and in particular knife crime. The pitch provides a safe space for young people to play the beautiful game and fulfil their sporting potential.
Earlier this month, young footballers, Arsenal in the Community coaches, and Islington councillors, came together to formally open the transformed pitch, which sits just minutes from the Emirates Stadium.
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