Dawn Butler MP

 I am writing to you again regarding BT telephone boxes in Harlesden. 

I am concerned, in particular, as to the telephone box located at the end of Saint Albans Road in my constituency. I have received regular reports, ongoing for some years now, from businesses and constituents that this box is being used by people smoking crack cocaine.  It was for this reason that I previously wrote to your predecessor in late 2017 to which I had received a response from Mr Neil Scoresby, General Manager Payphones at BT, advising that you had removed the doors on this specific telephone box and had blocked incoming calls.  I welcome the steps taken by BT in this regard however believe enough time has now elapsed as to demonstrate that these measures have not been sufficient in tackling the problem.  My request to BT at this stage would be to remove the telephone box at this location in its entirety and to replace it with an InLinkUK unit. This, I believe, would solve the problem of drug-use whilst maintaining your statutory obligations to Ofcom to provide a telephone service within a specific geographic spread. I welcome your response on this specific point.  If it is necessary to meet in-person to discuss this further, please do not hesitate to contact my office on 0207 219 8591 or on email at [email protected].  I look forward to receiving your reply.