Over 100 Putney Residents Join MP's Coffee Afternoon
Fleur Anderson's meeting focused on crime and cybersecurity
Fleur Anderson talks to attendees at the meeting at St. Mary's Putney
April 19, 2024
Over 100 constituents turned up to a recent coffee afternoon hosted by Putney MP Fleur Anderson.
The aim of the event, which took place at St Mary’s Putney, was to discuss local issues including crime and antisocial behaviour, cybercrime and scams, and local peoples’ priorities for improving Putney.
In attendance were local police officers, Citizen’s Advice Wandsworth, Nationwide cybersecurity advisors and Wandsworth Older People’s Forum.
These agencies offered advice about how to access various services, avoid being targeted by online scammers and navigate the cost of living crisis.
The presence of Nationwide's cybersecurity advisors gained significance in light of recent research by the University of Portsmouth, which found that two out of three older people have been targeted by scammer in the last year. Around a fifth experienced weekly attempts to defraud them and 40% suffered illegal approaches on a monthly basis.
Afterwards the Putney MP said, “I am working with local groups and services to curb crime. I am delighted that thanks to the work of local officers, and an increase in the number of police on our streets, we are starting to see a downturn in the number of car thefts reported last year. Residents have lots of helpful, practical suggestions for our local police and it was brilliant to bring them together.”
Residents at the event also discussed ways to reinvigorate Putney High Street, reducing air pollution and filling empty shops with local businesses.
Another issue that was raised was the ongoing closure of Hammersmith Bridge. Ms Anderson explained that despite her five years of campaigning, Hammersmith Bridge continues to be used as a political football, with costs in the meantime spiralling to £250 million.
Ms Anderson said, “I hosted this coffee afternoon to enable residents to speak directly with a range of services about local issues residents are concerned with, and as a free event for neighbours to meet one another. It was particularly important to bring local residents together with police officers, to share issues of concern, suggest solutions and give local police useful local intelligence.
“I look forward to hosting the next one – do join us for a cup of tea and cake, to meet your neighbours and let me and my team know your priorities for our wonderful community across Putney.”
In the meantime she is encouraging constituents to respond to her Resident Survey.
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