BT Link kiosks in Camden, once celebrated as an innovative step forward for the high street, have become magnets for crime, according to police. Officers have now urged that the project should not be renewed.
Police Concerns Over Crime
The kiosks, which offer free phone charging and calls, are said to be a honey pot for drug dealers. A police statement noted: "The BT Link blocks CCTV and the drug dealing happens behind it. This BT Link creates an area of anti-social behaviour, as members of the public are charging their phone they congregate around it, playing music and drinking. Drug dealers are known to hide behind it, waiting for people to exit Camden Town Tube station."
Failed Promise of Reducing Anti-Social Behaviour
When the hubs were first installed in 2018, they were expected to replace old phone boxes that had become hotspots for drug use and harassment. However, police say they have done more harm than good. The screens have also been erected in Highgate and Bloomsbury.
Camden's then finance chief Theo Blackwell, now London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan's digital czar, hailed their arrival as a "really exciting step forward" and noted Camden was the first UK council to host these services.
Safety and Maintenance Issues
Concerns have been raised about the safety of charging phones by the roadside, with thieves on bikes targeting users. There have also been reports that dealers use the free call facility. The police statement added: "The current installation has had the screen damaged and fly posted over. It has not been repaired or well managed."
Officers fear that free Wi-Fi could encourage school-age children to gather, increasing their risk of becoming crime victims. "This could make it easy pickings for organised criminals," the statement said.
Larger Screens Raise Concerns
BT is seeking to replace the current screens with larger ones, but Camden Council has refused planning permission, leading to ten appeals. Police argue that larger screens create more concealment space for thieves.
Camden Council recently removed 19 similar phone boxes near Tottenham Court Road and has plans to declutter Camden High Street.
BT's Response
A BT spokesperson declined to comment on individual applications but urged anyone witnessing criminal activity to call the police. They noted the hubs provide free ultra-fast Wi-Fi, calls, device charging, public information, and a 999 emergency button. During the pandemic, they were used for air pollution monitoring and public updates.
