I have just received a letter from Councillor Brian Coleman, GLA member for Barnet and Camden, expressing delight that due to the efforts of himself, Sir Sydney Chapman and other Conservative councillors, the council has announced a six-week trial period during which the gates of the Old Court House Recreation Ground will be locked at night.

This measure aims to curb "some of the recent anti-social behaviour in the park, including cannabis abuse and graffiti".

Cannabis these days is a dead issue: all parties are agreed it should be legalised.

There is also a civil liberties issue here: the streets and parks are ours.

It is a repressive measure to attempt to prevent people of whatever age from meeting together outdoors.

Councillor Coleman urges the recipients of his letter to "remain vigilant over any level of unacceptable behaviour" and "not to hesitate in reporting any incidents to the police".

Are we to turn into a community of informers, reporting high spirits to police who one would have assumed had better things to do than act on such information?

Adele Winston

Wood Street, Barnet

November 28, 2001 19:44