'Drug gangs are turning Camden into no-go zone'

Jonathan Miller, the award-winning theatre and opera director, has launched a scathing attack on drug dealing and anti-social behaviour he claims are making parts of London no-go zones.

The television presenter, producer and academic complains that the streets around his home have become a "site for uncontrollable drug dealing by people who are a menace to everyone".

Dr Miller, a long-standing resident of Camden Town, said: "It has become an open toilet. There are people relieving themselves against the doorways, so their urine seeps into the basements of shops. People who use the Tube are taking their lives into their own hands," he said. "Call it middle-class timidity but at night there are these gangs wearing their hoods and you really do need to avoid making eye contact with them."

Drugs-related crime in Camden has risen by roughly 30 per cent since 2001, according to the Metropolitan police, although the number of rapes and murders has fallen significantly.

Dr Miller's outburst, at a meeting to discuss a facelift of Inverness Street Market, is not the first time he has taken the authorities to task about the state of his neighbourhood. In 2002 he hit out at council officials for allowing "gangs of feral children" to bring fear to people's doorsteps.

Dr Miller now believes plans for a £3 million pedestrianisation of Inverness Street are "shallow cosmetic adjustments" and "a scandalous waste of money".

Camden Town is one of London's major tourist draws and he accused the council of having "no plans to manage the weekly influx of strangers who have no investment in the area".

A spokesman for Camden council said: "The £3million project will improve streets, public spaces and the quality of life.

"We are in partnership with the police and are taking a number of pro-active initiatives which have helped reduce crime.

"As well as working to close crack houses across Camden, Camden council issued a dispersal notice against anti-social behaviour in the summer, and employs street wardens to improve community safety.

"Our Street Services Team helps people living on the streets into accommodation and treatment for drug and alcohol addiction."