Antiques Trade Gazette news Portobello dealers feel abandoned over policing continued from front page
for them to air their views and it had not just been postponed, but cancelled. The next scheduled meeting is not due until late October and most of that could be taken up with post-Notting Hill Carnival discussions. Kensington and Chelsea Community
and Police Engagement Group said the cancellation was because the borough commander could not attend, given “unprecedented pressures on policing during the summer” such as the Jubilee, Olympics and carnival. But many traders wrote to the police
to express their anger, with one – who had been robbed in Portobello – saying: “I really feel the police do not care. This was nasty – a vicious knife attack, and there will be more of the same. So what will you do about Portobello?” Mr Kleanthous added that Portobello on
Saturday should be treated like big sporting events, such as football matches, where although the clubs pay for policing inside, officers are out in force in the area around. “We do not expect the police to be
our personal bodyguards, but we expect them to police the street properly,” he said, adding: “We used to have 12 officers on a Saturday, then down to eight and then four, now up to six, but it is totally inadequate.” Chris Hickey, of Central Gallery, one
of the organisers of a special meeting on May 22 to discuss the policing, said local ward councillor Carol Caruana was trying to arrange a new meeting. “Visibility is what we need to act as
a deterrent,” he added. “Now they only have four for the whole street which stretches from Notting Hill Gate to Harrow Road, probably about two miles long, with 60,000 people on a Saturday coming down. “An extra two are on now, but it is
still not enough, because they always have to work in pairs. We are making progress but we have got to be patient. The police do a good job but could be
ATG COMMENT MORE than 60,000 visitors on a summer Saturday, one of the most popular tourist spots in the UK, a name so recognised internationally that the local council wants to brand a Crossrail station after it... there are plenty of reasons to protect Portobello‘s antiques trade. So why does it always have to
play second fiddle to sporting events, considering how much it adds to the capital’s economy? Many Portobello traders are
feeling under siege. Following arcade closures, pressure for seven- day trading, parking restrictions and the effects of recession, now they face police coverage that has been steadily downgraded. The latest moves suggest that dealers’ pressure is working, but it seems
better if they had more resources. They don’t seem to prioritise this district – you go to a football match and the street is jam-packed with lots of people and police, but here it is like an event but isn’t treated that way.” Mr Hickey has been given costs of
‘buying in’ extra police cover should traders wish to pay for it, and feels it could be feasible. Dealers are hoping a local businessman’s interest in funding extra CCTV coverage will be agreed with the council. A Met Police spokesman told ATG:
“We continue to liaise with the market traders and address where possible any concerns raised. “Public meetings are regularly
held and are one forum used to air any community concerns. We remain serious in our intention to listen to these concerns – regrettably at times other policing issues facing the borough must take precedence. “As a result of listening to the market traders’ concerns, a visible policing
clear that at a time when spending cuts are affecting the police, like everyone else, the Met do not see Portobello as a priority. Indeed, their comment to ATG this week suggests that they feel reports of robberies are exaggerated. Is there really much of a problem? With UK manufacturing in
massive decline and financial services tottering, tourism is – and has to be – a major earner. If antiques dealers gradually disappear from Portobello, are those tourists still going to be heading there to experience that wonderful atmosphere? Surely Crossrail would want
to make sure an area they were going to locate a new station in was adequately policed before agreeing to the measure.
presence continues to be maintained and is currently enhanced in and around the market area every Saturday." But the Met Police have indicated to
ATG that fears of violent robberies are overblown. Chief Inspector David Tait said:
“While there has regrettably been a slight increase in reports of burglary from antique shops in Portobello Road over the last 12 months (two between June 2010/11 and five between June 2011/12), none have involved violence and thankfully no victims of crime were physically injured. “There has been no increase in
offences of commercial robbery either against local antique shops or market traders in Portobello Road – and indeed there have been no such offences reported over the past two years. “We are, however, currently
investigating a recent allegation of robbery in which a jewellery trader was robbed in the local vicinity as he walked back to his car.”
Above: the 14th century alabaster plaque stolen in London and now recovered.
Plaque found after
ATG appeal success A MEDIEVAL Nottingham alabaster plaque prised away from a London church has been recovered after appeal by ATG. Last week (ATG No 2045) we reported
the theft of the 14th century carving of St Hubert from the Crypt Museum of All Hallows by the Tower. But after seeing our article, Camden
Passage dealer Christopher Tapsell called us to say he had, in fact, bought it from a man who came into his shop, and he has now alerted the police. Mr Tapsell sent it down to Clifford
Lansberry of Gorringes in Lewes for a check. Mr Lansberry said: “He brought it in and was concerned it might have been stolen. We ran it through the Art Loss Register but I don’t think it had made their books, as it was so freshly stolen, but I read your story and the description and thought, yes, that’s the one. “It is a stunning piece. It is fantastic
it has been discovered so quickly. What is interesting is that often when these things go missing it is said to be stolen to order but, given the amount paid, as I understand, it was probably an opportunist.” Mr Tapsell added: “It is an amazing
piece. I had a feeling for it, just holding it. It is lovely. But it needs to go back and I am happy to forfeit it.”
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