• Question by: Valerie Shawcross
• Meeting date: 20 October 2004

I was very surprised that those comments were attributed to Richard Barnes (AM) because it seems to me that it is an evidence-based programme. I have been doing extensive surveying and researching in neighbourhoods in Lambeth and Southwark and I think it is very, very clear that the visible neighbourhood policing teams are not only reducing crime but they are also extremely popular. As more people perceive these neighbourhood teams are being put into place and communities are demanding more of this kind of policing and coverage, what sort of influence can you exert on the MPA (Metropolitan Policy Authority)...

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 20 October 2004

That may be so, but it still does not answer the question of what it is that the Mayor does not want me to tell my parliamentary colleagues and the Conservative MPs this afternoon. It seems to me that most of it is on public record anyway.

• Question by: Valerie Shawcross
• Meeting date: 20 October 2004

Are you clear what the Conservative position is on neighbourhood policing?

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 20 October 2004

But you have already told the MPA that the increase for next year has to be pegged at a 2.5% increase.

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 20 October 2004

We know that. We have being doing that.

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 20 October 2004

So you base it all on goodwill between your office and Government, for which you are famous. How will we judge whether you have been successful?

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 20 October 2004

You make it sound as though you and London march to a different drum from the rest of the country.

• Question by: Richard Barnes
• Meeting date: 20 October 2004

Like Valerie Shawcross (AM) I was surprised that this was attributed to me as I have never ever said that it is ineffective, I also believe that it is too soon after the introduction to measure its effectiveness properly. There is no doubt that it is expensive, indeed only yesterday the Liberals put out a press release claiming that it would cost 8.9% just for a roll-out of Safer Neighbourhoods leading to a precept increase of 18-19%. I am sorry Ms McCartney (AM) is not here to learn a little bit about policing rather than make badly researched statements, however...

• Question by: Graham Tope
• Meeting date: 20 October 2004

I was asking what it is that you do not want me to tell them, not what you do want me to tell them.

• Question by: Elizabeth Howlett
• Meeting date: 20 October 2004

Mr Mayor, I understand that you have already arrived at that figure because you have told the MPA officers that the increase for the MPS budget has to be reduced to or kept at a 2.5% increase, and in doing that you have put forward your option for step-change which actually cuts staff. You have cut manpower by 0.75%; you have completely cut the extra manpower that was supposed to go into two specialist directorates in order to vet these PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) and also to deal with the crime that they are supposed to investigate and send...