With the Met expanding to become bigger than ever before, Barnet MP Theresa Villiers has demanded more officers are allocated to local safer neighbourhood police teams.
Taking part in the regular question time for the Home Secretary and her Ministers, Ms Villiers said: “London's safer neighbourhoods ward teams perform a vital function. Will the Minister ask the Mayor of London why he is starving boroughs such as Barnet of the officers needed to make up SNTs to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour?”
Policing Minister, Chris Philp, replied: “The Metropolitan police already have more uniformed officers than at any point in their history, and in the current financial year they have had a funding increase of £170 million on last year, so I think my right hon. Friend asks a very reasonable question.”
Speaking afterwards, Theresa said “It is good news that the Government’s commitment to 20,000 more police means that the Met will soon has more uniformed officers than at any time in its history.”
“But we need more of those officers deployed to neighbourhood teams in my Chipping Barnet constituency. These decisions are made by the Mayor of London. He needs to step up and strengthen ward teams in Barnet. They cover bigger areas and greater populations than ward teams in many other boroughs. These beat officers perform roles which are crucial to deterring crime and keeping people safe. Mayor Khan should give them a boost now the Met has received increased resources from the Government.”
