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Camden Revealed

Local News - May 2002 - E: ken@myvillage.co.uk
Council force businessman to give refunds - 21/05/02

A Camden businessman who charged £50 for loans that never appeared has been forced to give refunds to seven people. Camden Council threatened to serve Jaydrath Parmar and his business Credit and Financial Solutions with a 'Stop Now Order' under legislation which has just come into force.

Council Trading Standards officers used the new 'Stop Now Orders' legislation to put an end to £50 loan-arranging scheme, which meant that vulnerable people who found it difficult to get a loan were left out of pocket. Faced with the threat of one of the new orders, Parmar agreed to refund the loan fees to seven customers.

"This is a good result for everyone and shows how effective this new legislation is," said Head of Trading Standards Des Campbell. "Now that Camden has shown the way, I expect other local authorities to make use of these new powers to ensure people don't get ripped off."

"Our advice to anyone with money problems is to get some expert help from Trading Standards or the Citizen's Advice Bureaux," said Des, "if you are in debt, you need advice before you even think about a loan."

In fact, Parmar had committed no crime - the only redress for victims is to sue in the civil courts. Under the new laws, businessmen are first offered the chance to sign an undertaking to do the right thing. If they refuse, trading standards officers can go to court to issue a 'Stop Now Order'. Failure to honour the order is contempt of court, an offence that can lead to a jail sentence.

If you want to make a complaint to Camden Council about a private business click here

 

American killed at Kings X - 15/05/02

One man has died and another has been seriously injured after falling off the platform at King's Cross tube station. Both men were tourists visiting London from San Francisco.

One 21 year old man was killed instantly as a train pulled into the station and hit him. The other man, also 21, was pushed back on to the platform and sustained severe head injuries. The incident happened on the Victoria line.

The men were believed to have been on a night out and, according to eyewitnesses, were engaging in play-fighting while they waited for a northbound train.

The injured man, whose condition is described as serious, is being treated in the specialist neurological unit at University College Hospital. His condition is described as critical.

Speaking to the Evening Standard, a BTP spokeswoman said: "It appears to be an accident involving two friends involved in a bit of horseplay on the platform. It seems they were hit as they hung over the edge of the platform. One of the men was dragged onto the line and the other was thrown back onto the platform. The driver did not have time to take avoiding action. The man who has suffered severe head injuries is on a ventilator."

 

Gunners take the double - 08/05/02

Undefeated away from home all season, - can anyone deny that Arsenal are worthy champions?
read more

Local Elections: Little change for Camden - 03/05/02

Camden Council saw little change in its composition after a low turn out of 28%. Labour retain overall control. Click here for full results.

1pm - May Day Protest proceeds quietly - 01/05/02

Despite the presence of thousands of protestors and police, today's May Day demonstrations in London have so far gone peacefully. No one has been arrested so far.

The protests started at just before 8am today when a mass cycle ride started moving into the centre of London. This was followed by a 9am protest at Horseferry Magistrate Court and an anti-fur protest in Conduit Street W1 at 12pm.

A major trades union march also made its way peacefully towards a major rally in Trafalgar Square this afternoon. A major police operation is also underway today with police spokesmen saying they are well equipped and organised for 'any eventuality'.

For pictures and interviews with some of the people who went on the demonstration, click here

 

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