Something Amiss With The A-Board On The Avenue

Safer Neighbourhood signage brands Bedford Park a 'robbery hotspot'

"I was intrigued to find out what the A-board placed on the corner of The Avenue and Bedford Road was advertising," a resident told ChiswickW4.com. "I was amazed when I went to take a look that it was advertising the fact that I live in a robbery hotspot!"

The resident, a mother of three teenage children, went onto to say that rather than making her feel safe, the prominent signage (picture below and right) did the exact opposite.

"I make a point of walking along The Avenue particularly at night because I do feel safe. I can understand warning residents not to advertise their personal property but surely there is a better way?"

Signage seems to cause a furore in Bedford Park. When Ealing Council erected on welcoming people to the area a campaign was launched to have it removed as swiftly as possible.

"I thought A-boards were illegal on pavements," remarked another resident when asked what he thought of the sign.

"An odd idea of crime prevention," he said. "But not as strange as the taped warning played on Turnham Green Terrace a few years ago."

What do you think of the sign? Does it make you feel more safe or less? Please email comments to editor@chiswickW4.com or join the debate on the forum.

February 15, 2011