• Question by: Joanne McCartney
• Meeting date: 08 November 2006

Can I just check, these are for outer London and I understand they are going to be based in certain boroughs but be a `transport flying squad' and go round where the need arises?

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 08 November 2006

I take the point, wholly, that the train operating companies should be paying for their policing. Historically they do not. I do not think the public is going to be much impressed by this turf war.

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 08 November 2006

Everybody agrees that it is desirable to have uniform presence of whatever form but, of course, the Mayor told us that the decision to go for 375 PCSOs as opposed to a different configuration, for example warranted officers, came on advice from yourself as Commissioner. What I am saying is, would it in retrospect have not been better to have employed fully warranted officers so that they would have the flexibility to work right the way through the night, particularly as I accept sometimes reassurance and good work that PCSOs do in communities - getting to know local people and...

• Question by: Joanne McCartney
• Meeting date: 08 November 2006

So you would be looking for properties or bases quite soon for them to work out of?

• Question by: Bob Neill
• Meeting date: 08 November 2006

I am sure it is right to do that because, leaving aside the question of the overground railway simply because they work on the Tube and the buses. Clearly, we all know that after 10.00 pm is very often one of the times when people most want to see a visible uniformed presence. I am wondering, given this difficulty which I hope can be resolved, and given the fact we have had to go through this sort of negotiation, would it perhaps in retrospect have been better to advise the Mayor to put in the money for fully warranted officers...

• Question by: Joanne McCartney
• Meeting date: 08 November 2006

I was going to make a plug for us to have a base in Enfield and Haringey. Can I also a ask that when you are looking at this you look at some of the hot spots, particularly around schools? Right down the Hertford Road and the A10 in Enfield we have something like five secondary schools coming out on to the same bus routes, and I think that needs to be factored in to where you base 'Transport Safer Neighbourhood Teams.

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 08 November 2006

OK, but subject to that and to operational needs and local determination, there is no reason why they should not be at times working in the early hours of the morning?

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 08 November 2006

I agree with that wholly and Members will recall indeed we proposed a budget amendment at this year's budget debate to provide more policing in suburban London. My concern is that many outer London boroughs in the south of London do not have London Underground service at all, or indeed anywhere near them. Whilst policing on the buses is extremely important, in the commuter areas it is actually the overground rail and the stations and the trackside which is of importance. As you have just said, the public do not make much distinction about which type of uniform the police...

• Question by: Dee Doocey
• Meeting date: 08 November 2006

Thank you. Could I deal perhaps with just two of the issues? First, I would like to talk about access via front counters. I think you rather glossed over this and, although you said they were not fit for purpose your suggestion, your suggestion was that the reason they were not fit for purpose was because they did not have enough people if you like serving behind the counters. Would you not agree that it is an appalling design, a total lack of customer focus from the people who are serving, ignoring the public, dirty front counters, no seats, long...

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 08 November 2006

Thank you very much, Commissioner. I am very delighted to hear that, although I was rather sorry that there was a delay because I can remember at least two years ago when we were in here for a scrutiny session, and you came with your Union Representative and he agreed that there really was no hold up with the Union as to getting this sorted out in London as long as they were not to be sent there instead of an ambulance, to which we, of course, agreed. You have been given £100,000, but none of this has been drawn...