Labour are playing politics with policing and it is residents who will suffer (Council calls for more police in serious crime areas, November 27).
People living and working in and around Morden and Raynes Park town centres could see a reduction in police in their neighbourhoods after Labour’s motion at the recent full council meeting. That’s one of the reasons why Conservatives voted against.
Merton’s hard working police put their lives on the line every day. They should be commended for reducing crime across Merton and increasing police constable numbers (Merton’s police force is currently 27 police constables above its target strength).
Rather than recognising this achievement however, Labour want to make their job harder by telling local police what to do. The last thing residents want is politicians meddling in operational decisions. The police know best how to make our streets safer.
Over 100 officers are already deployed flexibly to areas with more crime as a result of changes introduced last year. Yet Labour’s proposals would see existing police officers in Morden and Raynes Park diverted permanently to Mitcham.
Residents should be asking their new Labour councillors in Cannon Hill and Lower Morden why they support measures that will see fewer officers available to protect them.
Councillor David Simpson
Conservative Community Safety Spokesman
- Send your letters to: letters@wimbledonguardian.co.uk
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