By Councillor Jeff Hanna, Merton Council (Labour, Pollards Hill Ward)
Further to your front page report, "Police bases set for sell-off?", may I confirm that in Merton, there is unanimity that there should be no merger of Merton police with Sutton, and that neither Wimbledon nor Mitcham police stations should be closed.
This was evident at Merton’s Scrutiny Commission when the Borough Commander, the Cabinet Member, and the members of the cross party Commission agreed to my proposal that we express these views formally both to the Met, and to the Mayor’s office.
The Leader of the Council, Labour’s Councillor Stephen Alambritis, has also written to express these views.
Sadly, when it came to the number of police on our streets, we could not achieve similar unanimity.
The Borough Commander informed the Commission of Boris Johnson’s promise to increase the number of officers on the streets to above the level of the Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT). Yet this promise is open to interpretation.
Labour councillors emphasised the base line as the 120 SNT officers originally allocated to Merton, six to each of our 20 wards, sergeant, police constables and PCSOs.
Sadly, the Conservative councillors present refused to accept this baseline because, under Johnson, actual numbers have already been cut back - with as many as 40 vacancies last March.
Presumably they fear that Johnson will fail this crucial test of his election promise.
We await the outcome. Most of us will judge Johnson against that figure of 120 officers across the borough.
The Tories may have lower expectations, but Merton’s residents, I am sure, will not.
Unanimity returned when I proposed formal thanks to the Commander and his officers for the substantial reduction in crime achieved in Merton this year, and for they work they undertake, not least with the young people in our community.
The numbers may be up for debate. The commitment and quality of our police officers are not.
Make sure your voice is heard by sending your letter to: letters@wimbledonguardian.co.uk
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here