Harringay, Haringey - So Good they Spelt it Twice!
Police Numbers Likely to Fall, admits Commissioner
This week, Joanne McCartney, London Assembly Member and Labour Spokesperson on Policing, questioned Kit Malthouse AM, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Authority, and Sir Paul Stephenson, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, about the future of policing in London given the cuts to the police grant by the coalition Government.
Responding to Joanne McCartney’s question on maintaining police numbers in London, Sir Paul Stephenson said that even though the settlement appeared to be less drastic than had been anticipated, the Metropolitan Police Force will undoubtedly shrink. In answer to further questioning by Joanne McCartney on the prospect of compulsory redundancies amongst Police Community Support Officers and civilian police staff, Sir Paul Stephenson advised that a voluntary redundancy scheme was already in operation with no need at present for a compulsory redundancy scheme, but admitted compulsory redundancies could not be ruled out for the future "depending on the final budget decision".
Speaking after the meeting, Joanne McCartney said "This is deeply worrying news from the Commissioner. He is clearly saying that the MPS will shrink, although he does not yet know by how much or how many officers we will lose – but what we do know is we will see fewer police officers on the streets of London".
Moving on to the future of Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs), Sir Paul Stephenson gave a commitment that "the MPS was committed to extensive consultation on safer neighbourhood teams” and that he “remains to be convinced" about the need to change the SNT model.
SNT’s currently operate in every ward in London and comprise a minimum of 1 Police sergeant, 2 Police Constables and 3 Police Community Support Officers.
Joanne McCartney, London Assembly Member for Enfield and Haringey, said: "I am reassured that Sir Paul remains to be convinced about the need to change the SNT model. We today heard the Commissioner’s commitment that every Borough Commander across London would consult in an open way with local communities before implementing any changes to the current set up”.
"Talk of directing SNT officers to where the crime is highest misunderstands their role. SNTs were set up in every ward in order to provide community policing for all Londoners, whether their neighborhood was high crime or low crime."
"We need to ensure that wards across London, especially in outer London areas, do not lose their neighbourhood police officers."
Responding to Joanne McCartney’s question on maintaining police numbers in London, Sir Paul Stephenson said that even though the settlement appeared to be less drastic than had been anticipated, the Metropolitan Police Force will undoubtedly shrink. In answer to further questioning by Joanne McCartney on the prospect of compulsory redundancies amongst Police Community Support Officers and civilian police staff, Sir Paul Stephenson advised that a voluntary redundancy scheme was already in operation with no need at present for a compulsory redundancy scheme, but admitted compulsory redundancies could not be ruled out for the future "depending on the final budget decision".
Speaking after the meeting, Joanne McCartney said "This is deeply worrying news from the Commissioner. He is clearly saying that the MPS will shrink, although he does not yet know by how much or how many officers we will lose – but what we do know is we will see fewer police officers on the streets of London".
Moving on to the future of Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs), Sir Paul Stephenson gave a commitment that "the MPS was committed to extensive consultation on safer neighbourhood teams” and that he “remains to be convinced" about the need to change the SNT model.
SNT’s currently operate in every ward in London and comprise a minimum of 1 Police sergeant, 2 Police Constables and 3 Police Community Support Officers.
Joanne McCartney, London Assembly Member for Enfield and Haringey, said: "I am reassured that Sir Paul remains to be convinced about the need to change the SNT model. We today heard the Commissioner’s commitment that every Borough Commander across London would consult in an open way with local communities before implementing any changes to the current set up”.
"Talk of directing SNT officers to where the crime is highest misunderstands their role. SNTs were set up in every ward in order to provide community policing for all Londoners, whether their neighborhood was high crime or low crime."
"We need to ensure that wards across London, especially in outer London areas, do not lose their neighbourhood police officers."
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