By Richard Tracey, Greater London Assembly Member for Merton and Wandsworth
Your article ‘Community police teams under strength by one-third’ is misleading.
Police numbers, overall, are up under Boris Johnson in spite of national cuts to policing.
Due to the recent recruitment of police officers from London’s pool of PCSOs, the PCSO numbers in Safer Neighbourhood teams may appear to be down. However these should be filled very shortly indeed.
There are crude political reasons why some people may be choosing to highlight what are simply natural fluctuations in police numbers.
Such fluctuations occur due to ongoing retirement and recruitment flows every single year.
What’s important is that crime, including violence, burglary and robbery, has fallen by 10 per cent since Boris Johnson became Mayor; and Merton is sharing in this successful fight against crime.
Make sure your voice is heard by sending your letter to: letters@wimbledonguardian.co.uk
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