Harlesden in north west London borders affluent Willesden, but last year topped the police league for the highest murder rate in Britain.

On the Stonebridge Estate, which houses 4,000 people, many thought they were losing the fight against crime.

Drug dealers had made the estate's shopping precinct a no-go area and businesses were looking to move out.

What we are trying to do is create an atmosphere where criminals get the message that this is not an appropriate place for them to operate

Jamie Elliott, Stonebridge Housing Action Trust

But one year later, the people who live there believe they are succeeding in turning things around.

Police have moved in and established a permanent office at the heart of the estate.

Patrols were doubled and last September 700 police officers were involved in a raid in which 40 people were arrested on suspicion of drug dealing.

In the six months that followed, reported crime fell by 12 per cent and the atmosphere on the estate changed.

By November 150 abandoned cars had been removed, street lighting and security cameras have been installed.

Cash injection

Jamie Elliott, from Stonebridge Housing Action Trust, said: "Virtually everybody we spoke to said the shopping precinct has transformed.

"It was a no-go area before September 2001, now it's a safe place for people to go and shop. It has completely transformed the atmosphere."

He admits that it has taken a lot of investment to improve things.

But he added that they are working hard to improve communication between residents and police.

All of the tower blocks will be demolished by 2007

They want to encourage people to report crime - and are hoping that reported crimes will actually go up to reflect this.

Physically the Stonebridge estate is also changing.

The stairwells which used to attract drug dealers are disappearing as part of a project to demolish all the old tower blocks by 2007.

In their place, houses and low-rise flats are being built.

"What we are trying to do is create an atmosphere where criminals get the message that this is not an appropriate place for them to operate," said Mr Elliott.

Music station

At a luncheon club on the estate, many pensioners like Jenny Ferguson feared for the safety.

She has been attacked and mugged but says things are changing.

"Crime is gradually coming down," she said.

"It gives us confidence to come out and enjoy things like this."

A betting shop - once a magnet for drug dealers - has become a community radio station.

Safety wardens

The station's mix of music, community news, culture and discussion about safety and crime has attracted some of the estate's youngsters.

But the estate is not resting on its laurels. Forthcoming plans include introducing a special community safety team alongside the officers based on the estate.

Five community safety wardens will watch out for vandalism, public drinking and anti-social behaviour.

One resident told BBC London: "Compared to about a year ago it has got a lot safer.

"Since they got a police station over there people can walk a bit more freely , there's less danger."