Umunna challenges Tories to protect local police teams
Chuka Umunna, Labour’s parliamentary candidate for Streatham, is challenging Conservative candidate Rahoul Bhansali to match Labour’s commitment to Safer Neighbourhood Police Teams, after Tory Mayor Boris Johnson’s failure to support their future.
Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs), which were introduced by Labour, are dedicated teams of local police officers for each ward, working in the community to tackle and prevent crime and antisocial behaviour and provide a visible presence on the streets.
Local residents have a real say in how the teams operate and what their priorities should be through community safer neighbourhood panels.
The Streatham constituency has eight SNTs with representative panels overseeing their work. Every ward in London has an SNT comprising of a minimum of one sergeant, two police constables and three PCSOs to patrol local streets.
Conservative Mayor Boris Johnson has repeatedly refused to guarantee the future of SNTs, and has described them as a “pointless piece of top-downery”.
Although police numbers have risen by almost 17,000 since 1997, alongside more than 16,000 Police Community Support Officers, under Boris Johnson police numbers in London are being cut by a total of 455 officers. Over his four budgets Boris Johnson will oversee a decline in the total number of police officers for London.
Commenting, Mr Umunna said: “Safer Neighbourhood Teams have made a real difference in tackling crime and anti-social behaviour. To continue this work, they need to be maintained at their current strength.
“I am deeply concerned by Boris Johnson’s failure to guarantee the future of neighbourhood policing, and I challenge Conservatives in Streatham to stand up for our dedicated local police teams.”
Home Secretary Alan Johnson said: “Labour will ensure that frontline policing is protected but the Conservatives won’t match this guarantee.
“The Conservative threat to frontline services is shown here in London where the future of local police teams is at risk from the Conservative mayor Boris Johnson.”
