I was pleased to see the Metropolitan Police host a resident engagement event last night at St. Cuthbert's in Earl's Court.
My team attended, along with London Assembly Member Tony Devenish, local Councillors and community representatives.
'A New Met for London' is a step in the right direction - progress to date includes:
- A 6.3% decrease in residential burglary, with Officers attending almost every call
- An increase in call answering times by dispatchers
- A return to lower homicide rates compared to pre-pandemic levels
- More than 500 cases of rape and serious sexual offences charged, including the most dangerous perpetrators
- A backlog of online child abuse cases has been cleared
- A c.10% decrease in Anti-Social Behaviour calls
- A doubling down on standards, combating forms of corruption and discrimination within the force's ranks
I am clear that going forward, the Mayor of London must Save Notting Hill Police Station. If, as the Mayor purports, he intends to return to "back to basics" policing, residents must have the permanent police presence they want, and rightly deserve. I will continue to apply pressure on Sadiq to achieve this outcome.
Finally, in light of the horrific attacks at the Two Brewers Pub in Clapham, I was pleased to hear that the Met has taken a proactive approach to reassuring members of the LGBT+ community. I was also glad to hear that appropriate training is under way, familiarising officers with underrepresented groups, such as the LGBT+ community and members of the BAME community. The Met must be a force for, and reflective of our great capital city.
