.jpg) S is for Smaller not Safer
in South London
Shirley Houghton, the Conservative GLA candidate for Lambeth and
Southwark (pictured) has challenged the levels of local policing that are
provided through the network of Police safer Neighbourhood Teams
in Lambeth and Southwark.
Shirley said, “The Safer Neighbourhood
Teams are built on a ‘one size fits all’ principle taking no account of
variations in population or local crime levels. The result is those
neighbourhoods needing greater levels of on-the-ground support are simply left
in the lurch.”
The latest set of figures from the
Metropolitan Police show the number of Police Officers and Police Community
Support Officers working across all London Boroughs. The combined total in
Lambeth is 133, while Southwark has slightly more at 141. However, this compares
to other boroughs such as Croydon, Barnet and Lewisham, with 203, 201, and162
officers respectively. This leaves Lambeth languishing behind 22 other London
boroughs for the level of SNT resources, and Southwark struggling behind 18
boroughs.
Shirley added, “These
positions in the league table of community policing resources do not reflect
local crime levels. Last year’s crime statistics put Lambeth and Southwark as
the most dangerous boroughs in London, behind just Camden and Westminster.
Across the two boroughs, there were more than 78,000 recorded crimes, yet our
resources do not reflect our need.” Shirley also said, “Our
local police teams have tough job to do, and residents depend on them to deliver
safety every day. But the Police depend on London politicians to give them the
resources to do their job. On these figures, they are clearly not delivering!” |
