Moped-enabled crime falls by 69% in Islington after police action
LONDON
ASSEMBLY
LABOUR
Press office: 020 7983 4952
News release
08.11.2018
For immediate use
Police working closely with community on Nightingale Estate to prevent crime
Community policing was top of the agenda when local London Assembly Member, Jennette Arnold OBE AM, joined a police walkabout of the Nightingale Estate on Wednesday (7th October).
The visit, also attended by local councillors and community activist, Nicky Wilson, was led by Sergeant Daryl Jones and PC Laurence Bisdee of Hackney Downs police. The group discussed the importance of the strong relationship between the community and the police, where key intelligence is shared by residents to clamp down on anti-social behaviour and prevent violent crime.
As part of this co-operative approach, each month, local officers lead a weapons sweep on the Nightingale Estate involving residents and volunteers. A community guardianship scheme has also been set up, which provides mentoring and training to young people on the Estate.
The officers also highlighted how they can safely intervene and act as mediators between residents on the Estate, concerned about anti-social behaviour, and the groups of young people who congregate there.
At City Hall, local policing has been made a priority with every ward in the capital being allocated at least two dedicated PCs and a dedicated Police Community Support Officer.
However, due to sustained government cuts imposed upon the Metropolitan Police, which will exceed £1 billion by 2021, police officer numbers in London have dropped to their lowest point in twenty years. The latest figures from City Hall show that the ratio of officers per Londoners is now 3.3 per 1,000. In 2010, this ratio was 4.1 per 1,000.
Local London Assembly Member, Jennette Arnold AM, said:
“In Hackney, we have an extremely dedicated police force that work tirelessly to keep our community safe.
“It was very positive to hear about the initiatives being taken by local officers and residents on the Nightingale Estate, which has seen a number of tragedies in the past, to prevent incidents of violent crime from taking place.
“The visit reaffirmed the importance of a strong and proactive relationship between the community, the Council and local police teams.
“At City Hall, we are also playing our part and doing all we can to protect proper neighbourhood policing in the face of significant cuts.
“Under current government plans, the Met Police will have forced to make saving of over £1 billion by 2021. This is both unsustainable and irresponsible at a time when violent crime is on the rise”.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Notes
- At City Hall, local policing has been made a priority with the Mayor of London ensuring that every neighbourhood in the capital has at least 2 dedicated PCs and a dedicated Police Community Support Officer in place;
- However, due to sustained Government cuts imposed upon the Metropolitan Police, which will exceed £1 billion by 2021, police officer numbers in London have dropped to their lowest point in 20 years;
- The latest figures from City Hall show that the ratio of officers per Londoners is now 3.3 per 1,000. In 2010, this ratio was 4.1 per 1,000.
- Jennette Arnold OBE AM is the London Assembly Member for the North East (covering Hackney, Islington and Waltham Forest).
For more information please contact Labour Group Research Support Officer, Eve Lovett, on 020 7983 5591. Number not for publication.