It is always difficult to have to move home out of necessity rather than purely out of choice (Estate evictions should be halted, 27 October 2014). However, political opponents of the Mayor should be wary of glossing over the facts with emotive and headline grabbing rhetoric.

In fact, the Mayor's Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC) always made clear that its lease of the Raynesfield property to a housing association (Crown Housing) was on a time-limited basis. All of the Crown Housing tenants living there were made aware of this when they took on their tenancies and have known of MOPAC's intention to sell for many months.

I am pleased to say that a number of residents have already found alternative accommodation. Far from the Mayor just 'washing his hands of the issue', the remainder are being supported in their search. For example, local West Barnes ward councillors, Gilli and Brian Lewis-Lavender are monitoring the situation closely and have been involved on the ground in assisting some of these families. This support has included one to one meetings with the council's Housing Needs team and they continue to work to ensure that all of the residents of Raynesfield find suitable new homes.

The sale of both this and other properties is part of the biggest restructure of  the Metropolitan Police estate in 50 years and all of the money raised will be pumped back into frontline policing here in Merton and right across the capital.  The Raynesfield property is not yet on the market however and I have been in touch with MOPAC, who I am pleased to say would consider proposals put forward by the residents.

Councillor David Simpson

Conservative spokesman for community safety and enforcement

 

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