Kings Cross Local Environment

Police Appeal - Information sought after attack in nightclub Egg on York Way

Police officers are seeking information after a 21 year old man was attacked in a nightclub in Islington in the early hours of Saturday morning.

At approximately 04:15hours on 4 December police were called to The Egg Club, York Way, N7, to reports that a man had been hit over the head with a bottle.

Staff from the club called the police after a man the victim had argued with earlier smashed a glass beer bottle against his head and then threw a second bottle at him before making off.

After police attended, LAS arrived and the man was taken to hospital to be treated for four small cuts to his head. He has since been discharged.

Detective Sergeant Steve Ramshaw said: “The victim was attacked on a crowded dance floor, so there must have been lots of people who saw what happened. We would like to speak to anyone who witnessed this unprovoked assault, or who can help us identify the suspect.”

The suspect is described as a white man, approximately 5ft10ins tall, and aged between 20 - 25 years old.

Anyone with information should contact Islington CID on 0207 421 0294, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

 

King's Cross to be designated a neighbourhood?

Under the soon to be published Localism Bill, our community could declare itself a Neighbourhood, create a Neighbourhood Plan of our own and LBs Camden and Islington would be hard put to do anything other than approve of all this!

The intention behind the bill is to give more power to local people and lessen the degree to which the powers that be (which in our case are legion) can impose unpopular planning decisions.

It maybe that, should this Bill become law, we could use its powers to really start challenging the continued existence of the King's Cross Gyratory, to force effective community engagement from Argent and to require Network Rail, HS1, HS2 etc to ensure the needs of pedestrians and cyclists are prioritised as King's Cross, St Pancras and Euston stations are further developed. Community gains, such as those that can be required under planning law's Section 106, could include all major developers here contributing funds towards restoring the desperately needed Battlebridge Crossing - the bridge that ran from just behind the German Gym to the junction with York Way and Wharfdale Road.

There are many potential boundaries that could be called King's cross. For example, local charitable trust King's Cross Community Projects uses a boundary of half a mile around KX station, whilst West Euston Partnership's Network Rail funded Pre-apprenticeship Project uses a boundary of 1km around KX.

If you are interested in becoming involved in all this should the bill become law, let us know.

 

Update: King's Place - Application for a new Premises License for top floor

Update - License Granted with Conditions - Click to go to updated story.
 

Camley Street Natural Park - inter-faith volunteering on Mitzvah Day

This handy report sent in by journalism student Joe Curtis:

Families of different religions joined together to celebrate Mitzvah Day at a King’s Cross park last Sunday.

Jewish, Christian and Hindu families took part in a conservation project at Camley St Natural Park, building bird boxes and clearing ponds in a bid to give back to their community.

The Jewish annual event also aimed to create stronger ties between the religions, which it wants to bring closer together.

Parents and teenagers chopped trees and cleared bushes, while young children ran around fetching teas and coffees for the chilly workers.

“I really enjoyed today,” said Jenni Goldstein, 9. “I’ve made loads of new friends.”

Her mother, Claire Goldstein, 37, said “My husband and I have met more Hindus today than we probably have our entire lives. It’s a great opportunity to mix with each other and give something back.”

Nearly 100 volunteers came from the area gave their time to the event, part of a much-needed conservation project for Camley St.

A spokesman for the park said: “We are so surprised at the amazing turnout – so many people wanted to help! Places like this really rely on the support of local people.”

“Today is a brilliant occasion where communities are really reaching out, getting out into the street and establishing good friendships,” said the Chief Rabbi at the event.

“What is particularly powerful for me is the way the Hindu and Christian communities have really come together in this shared project.”

Also in attendance were actress Maureen Lipman and children’s author Anthony Horowitz.

“I’m amazed by what I see,” said Mrs Lipman. “Everybody’s sort of shovelling in together.”

Meeting Notice - King's Cross Development Forum

 
The next meeting of the King's Cross Development Forum will be from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Thursday 9 December in Committee Room 1 of Camden Town Hall.
 
The meeting will cover:

Detailed plans for apartments on York Way just to the north of the Regent’s Canal (Zone J of King’s Cross Central - click on map above to show larger image) - to be presented by representatives of the developers, Argent King's Cross, and the archiects, dRMM.
 
Updates on the plans for apartments higher up on York Way (Building R5, just beyond Building R4) - to be presented by a representative of Argent.

Views on how the Forum will serve the needs of its member organisations and future occupants of King’s Cross Central.  Some further information is available on the web site, http://kxdf.wordpress.com.

Robert Milne
Secretary
King's Cross Development Forum

National cuts protest at York Way set to grow tonight

The apolitical Coalition of Resistance will be joining student demonstrators at King's Place this evening to protest against cuts and privatisation in workplaces, community and welfare services. Nick Clegg is set to give the seventh Hugo Young Lecture at King's Place at 7pm.

York Way and the surrounding area is likely to be very congested indeed. Those (like me) intending to join the demonstration please remember to leave the area clear of placards etc when you finish as it is a very densely populated residential area comprising mixed private, affordable and social housing including the York Way Court Housing Estate immediately opposite King's Place. Good luck to demonstrators and residents alike this evening.

Protests expected at King's Place - Tuesday 24 Nov 1700 to 1900.

Those of us who live in York Central on York Way at Crinan Street were alerted to the likelihood of student protests taking place on Tuesday afternoon.  Apparently the Deputy PM, Nick Clegg will be being interviewed at the headquarters of the Guardian in King's Place around 6 PM.

We will be battening down the hatches, other locals should be advised to avoid the area as I expect there will be traffic chaos.

Lost for Christmas

With demise of the original owner of the row of shops which includes the much-loved Peter and Tony's barbers at the south end of Caledonian Road comes very, very bad news indeed. This iconic local shop is being forced out as the new owners push rents up beyond what is affordable. Peter and Tony's will be gone by Christmas.

Does anyone have any ideas as to how we could try and save Peter and Tony's? Unless something is done that row of shops will transform into the usual chain stores. If you have any ideas which you can lead on do let us know and we'll post upnews here.

News from Islington Police - Burglary Crime Prevention

 
A recent spate of burglaries across Islington have prompted detectives from Islington's Burglary Squad to issue a warning to residents to be extra vigilant.

Over the last week there have been approximately 45 residential burglaries. A number of these were opportunist burglaries where property of high value was left on display and within easy reach of windows and doors, including car keys, where cars have also been stolen.

In the run up to the festive season, when you start stocking up on Christmas gifts, it is important to review your home security.

There are measures you can take to reduce your chances of becoming a victim of burglary:

1. Never leave valuable property on display near windows.
2. Installing a burglar alarm is one of the most effective deterrents.
3. Make sure that gardening tools are secure and locked up in the garden shed. Do not leave ladders against the wall.
4. Make sure all doors and windows are closed properly. Ensure that you have a suitable five lever mortice lock on your doors.
5. Any gates in your rear and front gardens should be secured.
6. Property mark your valuables. Contact your local safer neighbourhoods' team who may be running a scheme like Smartwater in your area.
7. Take a note of serial numbers on laptops, iPods and electrical goods. If possible, take photos of high value jewellery.
8. Ensure that your foliage is well trimmed and does not provide a cover for burglars. Do not leave high value personal items on view of windows and doors.

If you have witnessed a burglary or have any information that can assist police, contact us in confidence on 020 7421 0150 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Look at your house, think like a burglar, can you get into your house? 

For more information about Islington Police go to www.met.police.uk/islington.

Pre-apprenticeship promotion begins

A great opportunity for kids 18-24 living within 1k of KX Station with those living in Cally, King's Cross and Somers Town St Pancras Wards the top priority. For the four page A5 pdf version of the leaflet, or to order printed copies for your local group or organisation, click here.