The new analysis shows that compared to 2010 many boroughs will lose significant numbers of police officers, including:
<city w:st=”on”><place w:st=”on”>Westminster</place></city> losing 202 police officers
Kensington & Chelsea losing 50 police officers
Hammersmith & Fulham losing 32 police officers
<city w:st=”on”><place w:st=”on”>Camden</place></city> losing 111 police officers
The Mayor’s Draft Policing Plan also details how the current locally based Safer Neighbourhood Teams will have less dedicated resources. Each SNT currently has three PCSOs, two PCs and one sergeant. The new model will see each SNT having only one dedicated PC and a “named sergeant”. This is a move back to Sector-based policing, a model that was abandoned in the late 1990s as it was deemed to be ineffective and led to the police having poor relations on a local level.
Londonwide Assembly Member Murad Qureshi AM said:
"This plan confirms our worst fears. We already know that <city w:st=”on”>London</city> has lost over 2,000 police officers in the last two years, but this plan confirms that the majority of <city w:st=”on”><place w:st=”on”>London</place></city>’s boroughs will have fewer police officers than in 2010. Combined with the closure of 65 police front counters and the loss of nearly half of <city w:st=”on”><place w:st=”on”>London</place></city>’s PCSOs, this will lead to a smaller police presence on our streets. The government and mayor are cutting too far and too fast, they are hitting the frontline.
"In <city w:st=”on”><place w:st=”on”>Westminster</place></city> we will lose 202 police officers with 50 fewer in Kensington & Chelsea than in 2010, and that’s if the Mayor can actually deliver on his proposals which I don’t think he can.
<street w:st=”on”>Harrow Road</street>, <city w:st=”on”>St John’s</city>Wood and Marylebone Station police stations in our borough, this will make it harder for local people to report serious crimes and reduce the police’s presence."
“To make matters worse this proposed plan details how the Mayor will strip out our local Safer Neighbourhood Teams which are vital in fighting crime in <city w:st=”on”><place w:st=”on”>London</place></city>. SNTs build local knowledge and get to know their patch, the proposals today look very much like a return to the old model of sector policing which does not have this strong local link. The Mayor’s plans will also see a loss of many experienced senior officers, which raises obvious concerns about the supervision of police constables.
“We doubt the mayor can keep his election promises, as HMIC reported last week police visibility is down and this trend will continue. Contrary to what they say, this is further evidence that the Mayor and Government are cutting too far too fast."
Notes
1. Murad Qureshi is a Labour Londonwide Assembly Member.
2. Attached is the analysis of Police Officer and PCSO strength for <city w:st=”on”><place w:st=”on”>London</place></city>’s 32 boroughs for 2010 compared to toady’s announcement:
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3. Also attached is the Mayor’s Draft Police and Crime Plan:
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4. The HMIC Report which can be found here http://www.hmic.gov.uk/data/valuing-the-police-data/ (first link under "2012", "Average percentage of police officers and PCSOs visible and available to the public 2010 and 2012").
5. Draft MOPAC/MPS Estate Strategy 2013/2016 can be viewed here: http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/Draft%20MOPAC%20MPS%20Estate%20Strategy%202013-2016.pdf (see page 38 for list of station/front counter closures.