Don’t cut neighbourhood police numbers’ says London Assembly

THE minimum levels for neighbourhood police teams must be kept to maintain public confidence, the London Assembly has said. It has voted to urge Boris Johnson and the Met Commissioner to guarantee present levels will remain the minimum

By Mike Brooke

THE minimum levels for neighbourhood police teams must be kept in order to maintain public confidence, the London Assembly has said.

The Assembly has voted to urge Boris Johnson and Met Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson to guarantee present levels of a sergeant, two constables and three community support officers remain the minimum in London.

A resolution was put forward by Jenny Jones, who told the Assembly: “The return to policing in communities must not be undermined by cutting back on staffing levels.

“Safer neighbourhood teams are now the backbone of the Met’s connection with the public it serves. The structure has proved a reassuringly visible patrolling presence on our streets.”

Assembly members insist that tightening public sector budgets and the Met’s drive for efficiency savings must not undermine public confidence that a uniformed presence has on the streets.

The London Assembly calls on the Mayor, police authority and Metropolitan Commissioner in yesterday’s resolution “to maintain current staffing levels for all neighbourhood teams in London.”