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"Art Attack" & Redevelopment of Rape Alley, Tottenham
The Petition
A narrow, stepped walkway between Seven Sisters and Tewkesbury Road in South Tottenham, due to it's steep and narrow layout and blind spots at each end, has long been the site of attempted muggings and sexual assaults, some reported as during daytime hours.
The crime statistics for the immediate area continue to document "Violence against the Person" as the most reported crime, (anecdotal evidence suggests these to be underreported).
Unfortunately, the alley is a very direct and convenient shortcut, and is increasingly being used, as the adjacent previously industrial areas have become populated with warehouse communities - one aspect of this demographic is a high number of people working in entertainment/hospitality and returning home in the early hours . This, in tandem with diminished daylight hours and a lack of action by the authorities, suggests the likelihood of attacks to increase.
The alley enjoys a popular function as open public toilet, seemingly on a "24/7" basis, it is additionally used as a short cut by children attending the two primary schools within a 150m radius.
The Solution Is In The Problem
Having previously collated and passed on information to the authorities, we are now wanting to capture people's experiences of the alley, raise awareness of risk and petition The London Borough of Haringey for cooperation in a 2 stage plan of measures.
1 IMMEDIATE - such as CCTV, mirrors on the blind corners and adequate lighting, these may have a deterrent effect yet are documented as being relatively ineffective, the layout of the alley would in all probability still render it dangerous.
We also wish to brighten, repaint and energise, in "claiming" this forgotten place we hope to shift it's energy and impact positively on peoples' behaviour.
2 A redesign, e.g. widening the alley, opening the blind spots, rerouting, whatever it takes to finally secure the walkway.
The petition therefore is for WHATEVER IT TAKES TO FINALLY SECURE THE ALLEY.
Update
We have the cooperation of the landowner in question and are drafting proposals to turn this corner of Tottenham into a permanent entrance to, and celebration of, the community here - momentum is growing.
In the meantime please sign, comment and also forward to raise awareness of the risks.
Thanks for your time.
Ingo Pless
