MPs test out Hackney after dark

The MPs were surrounded by reporters for their walkabout

By Justin Parkinson
BBC Political reporter

It was not the happiest moment of Jacqui Smith's career when the home secretary admitted she would not feel comfortable walking around Hackney after dark.

Cue much mockery from political opponents and derision from many living in the north-east London borough.

Among the detractors was Labour MP for Hackney North and Stoke Newington, Diane Abbott.

Jacqui Smith's comments came in an interview in January

In an attempt to set the record straight, she invited the Commons home affairs select committee along for a late-night walkabout.

And so it came to pass that three Labour members - chairman Keith Vaz and colleagues Gwyn Prosser and Karen Buck - did take to the streets of N16.

A chilly hour-long stroll took in a couple of shops, a couple of restaurants and several cheery hellos for passers-by.

But how much serious fact-finding can four MPs hope to achieve when outnumbered at least four-to-one by press and broadcasters?

'So far so good'

The Church Street Supermarket seemed a good bet for Mr Vaz to begin his inquiries about local crime and policing.

Manager Bulent Gurgur said most local folk were decent sorts, although some drank a little too much.

Hackney seems a very nice place to come to. There have been a lot of bad stories about the place but I can' t see it Gwyn Prosser, MP for Dover

He added: "It's been so far so good. The police come every day because they are regular customers."

Mr Vaz asked: "Not for the drink?"

To which Mr Gurgur replied: "No. They don't drink."

A few handshakes later it was on to the next destination.

At the Royal India curryhouse, owner Saifur Alam embraced the MPs, saying: "We need to understand each other and respect each other. This lovely lady [Ms Abbott] represents us.

"Crime has gone down. We've got cameras. We have never had any trouble here."

Butternut squash

All was sweetness and light.

As the entourage moved on, a group of young people looked at the MPs and asked: "Who are they?"

When informed by journalists, they seemed none the wiser.

Keith Vaz and Diane Abbott hear from a shopkeeper, left

The same blank expression appeared on the faces of drinkers in the Coach and Horses and the passengers on the number 73 bus, as bulbs flashed and the MPs wandered into the Mediterranean supermarket.

Mr Prosser, the genial MP for Dover, said: "Hackney seems a very nice place to come to. There have been a lot of bad stories about the place but I can't see it."

Back outside the supermarket, Mr Vaz sniffed an onion and inspected a butternut squash for the cameras.

Afterwards, manager Sawaz Bedr said: "I don't have any idea what that was all about. I've never seen them before.

"They are welcome to come in again, and maybe buy something."

Gangs and weapons

The tone became more serious as the MPs visited the Smalley Road Estate, where 17-year-old Etem Celebi was shot dead last November.

It was a reminder that London can be dangerous and of the problems of gangs and a weapons culture.

Mr Vaz emerged from the estate and, sounding increasingly like a cross between a Hackney tourism officer and a cheerleader, said: "It's a quiet area and it's a lovely estate, and it's very safe.

"The fact that it's dark has made no difference."

Ms Abbott said: "I was disappointed when the home secretary said she would be wary of walking around after dark."

Fall in crime

She added: "There are ordinary people going out to bars, restaurants and clubs and they have nothing to fear.

"I would like the home secretary to come and I'm optimistic that she will...

"I think it's very important that politicians don't feed a climate of fear. I don't think a woman should be frightened to come here. I still walk around after dark."

Official figures suggest Hackney is getting safer, with violent crime down.

That was certainly the message Mr Vaz and Ms Abbott were keen to give.

Whether the walkabout will be enough to convince Ms Smith - and a lot of other doubters - is another matter altogether.