First Brixton drug offenders publicised in online 'gallery': council says 'come to Brixton for the right reasons'

An online gallery of drug offenders has been officially launched this week as a part of a crack down on drug crime and 'drug tourism' in Lambeth.

The council's new policy, which aims to disrupt the drugs market, in particular challenging the image of Brixton as an easy place to buy drugs, means anyone convicted of buying or selling drugs in Lambeth could find their name, photograph and full details of their offence on the council's website, for anyone in the community to see.

As well as preventing drug crime, the new policy aims to reassure the community that action is being taken to address drug crime in their area, and to help in the reinforcement of ASBOs by identifying those who breach their agreements.

The move is backed by an accompanying tube and bus poster, as a reminder to people coming to buy drugs in the area that they could face a conviction and unwelcome publicity.

The posters, which are displayed at Brixton tube and on buses across the borough, show anonymous faces of 'offenders'*, listing their drug offence, the conviction they were given - and the unwelcome publicity they received as a result. These images are mirrored by partner posters that quote visitors who came to Brixton to enjoy the culture, food, and nightlife, rather than to buy drugs. The council says the over-riding message is 'come to Brixton for the right reasons'.

Cllr Steve Reed, leader of Lambeth Council, said: "Brixton is a fantastic place with so much to offer, from its vibrant food and clothes markets to famous entertainment venues like the Ritzy Cinema and Brixton Academy. We want people to come here for the right reasons and not to buy drugs, and our new policy makes it clear that drugs tourists are not welcome here. If a person’s face ends up on our website anyone will be able to see the details of their offence, from employers to family or friends.

"We're getting tough on the people who buy and sell drugs in the area, who ruin life for the wider community, and we're saying drugs will not be tolerated in Lambeth."

Under the policy, people who are convicted of a drug offence could be served with an ASBO, including terms that exclude them from parts of the borough or restrict their behaviour in other ways. Each ASBO is then considered for publicity by a multi-agency panel, including the council, police and other key partners.

The policy is part of a borough-wide programme to reduce drugs crime, which includes a number of measures to tackle drug dealers and drug buyers as well as getting users into treatment. Over two thousand problem drug and alcohol users are currently engaged in treatment provided by the council and partners, ranging from GP screening and counselling to detox units and residential rehabilitation.

The latest figures show that Lambeth is in the top four in London for crime reduction, with crime having decreased for the sixth year in the row. Last year the Audit Commission also gave the Safer Lambeth Partnership, which consists of the council, police and other organisations fighting crime, a 'good' two star community safety rating for its work in reducing crime in challenging circumstances.

For more information and to view the online gallery visit www.lambeth.gov.uk/saferlambeth.

*Models were used for the faces on campaign posters.