Tower Hamlets residents get chance to voice opinions on policing changes

Residents are being encouraged to discuss crime and policing in their local area at a series of roadshow events.

Those living in Tower Hamlets will get their chance to comment on changes introduced a year ago at the Skeel Lecture Theatre at Queen Mary University, in Mile End Road on February 13.

Spearheaded by the Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh, and the Metropolitan Police, the ‘Your Police, Your Neighbourhood’ public meetings will give Londoners the chance to comment on recent changes to improve local policing and make neighbourhoods safer.

Last year the Mayor’s Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC) and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) visited every London borough to listen to people’s views on the Mayor’s draft Police and Crime Plan. The final plan was published in March 2013 and set the police the challenge, to reduce key neighbourhood crimes and cut costs by 20 per cent, while boosting confidence in the police by 20 per cent.

Since then, the first phase of changes have been rolled out, which have focused on putting more police officers on the streets, recruiting to fill vacancies, and selling off under-used and expensive police buildings to reinvest in boosting police numbers.

Stephen Greenhalgh, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, said: “Last year’s public town hall meetings were incredibly valuable and helped us improve our plan by listening to local views. Overwhelmingly, Londoners told us that they preferred to see resources invested in more bobbies instead of buildings.

“This year I want to visit boroughs and hear how these reforms are working in practice and about other public safety concerns people may have.”

Entry to the meetings is on a first come, first served basis. For details on how to register go to http://www.london.gov.uk/get-involved/events/mopac-roadshows