London council continues action against illegal flyposting

Date:   03/08/04

Camden Council today continued its campaign against the practice of illegal flyposting in the borough, by seeking Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) against executives of a company called Diabolical Liberties. The ASBOs are being sought against four named individuals: Tim Horrox, the Managing Director and three employees, Anna McAree, Dominic Murphy and James Heighway.

Diabolical Liberties has been engaged in illegal flyposting in the borough for the last eight years. During this time, Camden Council has gathered considerable evidence against the company, including from other organisations that work with them. In addition, a number of local authorities have provided Camden with evidence of Diabolical Liberties' illegal flyposting activities, including Kensington and Chelsea, Westminster, Cardiff, Nottingham and also Nottingham Police.   

This action follows the success of a similar action against Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd in June 2004, following which they agreed to cease flyposting in England and Wales.

An ASBO is a civil procedure, when a court can order someone to stop behaving in an anti-social way. In this instance, should the ASBO be granted and Diabolical Liberties' posters continue to appear illegally anywhere in England or Wales, the above named company executives will face the courts and possibly a prison sentence.

The ASBOs are being sought after innumerable complaints from Camden residents, businesses and visitors about illegal flyposting. They also follow repeated prosecutions and requests by Camden Council for Diabolical Liberties to stop putting up illegally located posters within the borough. These posters often appear repeatedly at locations they have been previously been asked to clear.

Councillor Dame Jane Roberts, Leader of Camden Council, says: "We have been tremendously encouraged by the positive response from residents, businesses and visitors to the borough to Camden Council's anti-flyposting campaign, as well as from other organisations and individuals and the media. 

"Despite the positive impact of our campaign, we know that illegal flyposting remains a major cause of alarm and distress for many people in the London Borough of Camden: it makes people feel unsafe and uncomfortable and impacts negatively on the quality of the environment. This is why we are determined to outlaw it, as part of our commitment to making the borough a cleaner, greener and more attractive place to be."

Louise Casey, Director, Anti-Social Behaviour Unit, Home Office says: "Camden remains at the forefront of the Government's TOGETHER campaign to tackle not tolerate anti-social behaviour. Environmental crime, such as flyposting, can increase fear of crime and foster an environment where crime and anti-social behaviour take hold."

"I applaud Camden Council's efforts. They continue to work together with the Police, businesses, other councils and local people to eliminate flyposting, helping our communities to be clean and safe spaces, that are free from crime, grime and anti-social behaviour."

The direct cost to taxpayers in Camden is as much as £250,000 per annum, a sum that it would not be required to spend on this activity and which could be spent elsewhere, but for the activities of those businesses who erect flyposters throughout the Borough. 

The reason for carrying out this policy would appear to be the huge financial savings the companies can make by not paying for legal advertising space.  Legitimate advertising space is costly, whereas flyposting is relatively inexpensive. This is perhaps the main reason that music, entertainment and other companies use the services of businesses such as Diabolical Liberties, who are willing to engage in flyposting.

Peter Strange, Project Manager for Camden Council's Boulevard Project,* adds: "As the work of the Boulevard Project shows, Camden Council is totally committed to improving the environment in the Borough. However, having to deal with the problem of flyposting distracts our officers from other important work and costs us a great deal of money and resources to put right.

"We hope that our undertaking this action will encourage companies and individuals to desist from this illegal activity and, instead, work with us to improve the street environment for those who live in, work in or visit Camden."

In addition to targeting flyposting, Camden Council has used ASBOs to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the borough. Working in partnership with the police, we obtained the first anti-social behaviour order in London and have now taken out over 80 Orders banning drug addicts, dealers, prostitutes and vandals from behaving anti-socially anywhere in England and Wales.

* Camden Council's Boulevard Project is, we believe, the most ambitious street improvement programme in the country; one that is backed by a major capital investment of around £24 million. The Boulevard Project aims to bring to Camden the style, levels of cleanliness and feelings of safety and security that can be found in the best European and North American cities. It is the winner of the Association for Public Service Excellence Best Sustainability/Environmental Initiative Award 2003.

Photographic examples of illegal flyposting in the borough are available from the Camden Council press office. For more information about the ASBOs, the background to the action, or about the work of the Boulevard Project, or for an opportunity to visit sites in the Borough or interview Camden Council representatives, please contact the Camden Council Press Office on 020 7974 5238 or 020 7974 2547.

Ref Code:   04/274
Contact:
    

Susie Rowe

susie.rowe@camden.gov.uk