THE borough's largest policing operation will kick into gear to control more than 70,000 revellers during the Pinner Fair next week.
More than 90 police officers, some with sniffer dogs, plain clothes officers and traffic specialists are to be deployed during the historic street party, which begins next Wednesday.
But with increasing concern about violence and thuggery, illustrated by an alleged serious assault reported during last year's festivities, some residents wondered if the police presence would need to be increased.
Judy Lever, who runs The Children's Book Shop in Red Lion Parade, Bridge Street, says she and her husband are forced to close their business each year during the fair.
She said: "Part of it is security and part is that the rides come right up to the door, so we're barred from accessing the shop.
"I think the shops in this parade will generally close. We lose a lot of trade.
"I heard comments that there were lots of not very pleasant youngsters around last year."
Pinner South councillor Chris Mote (Conservative), Harrow Council's portfolio holder for community and cultural services, said: "The key thing is that the number of policemen is quite high and that has not changed. We are going to have as many officers as we're going to need and we're using tried and trusted methods.
"We wouldn't want to see too many police there otherwise people would be be intimidated. I think the balance is about right.
"We have full CCTV coverage, one in the High Street and one at the police station, to cover the two main thoroughfares.
"Considering the number of attendees, it's a low crime rate. Pinner Fair upsets a lot of people but we're not going to get rid of it because just one person complains."
Cynthia Wells, chairwoman of The Pinner Association and a member of Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Panel, said: "Last year, the police searched people as they came off the trains and they managed to confiscate quite a lot of knives and turn people away.
"I think they work very hard to keep it safe.
"People have mixed views on the fair though, and I would say the majority think it's something that's special to Pinner and they would be very sad to see it go. There are quite a lot of people who think it's grown too large and then there are those who don't like it all all. Personally, I think it's tradition."
Mrs Lever added: "We think there should be some sort of fair but not one blocking the whole of Pinner - something a bit more traditional that's more like Pinner Pantomime Evening."
