The Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Stephen Greenhalgh, is set to host a series of town hall meetings in every borough in London, including one in Wandsworth on 26 February 2013, to set out the Mayor's strategy for reducing crime in the capital over the next four years. Assistant Commissioner for Territorial Policing, Simon Byrne will be in attendance.

The draft Police and Crime Plan, produced by the Mayor's Office for Policing And Crime (MOPAC), will detail how safer neighbourhood teams will be boosted with 2,000 extra officers and introduce new and better ways for the public to access the police and to report crime. The draft plan will also set out MOPAC's targets for the Met Police to boost public confidence, drive down costs and cut key neighbourhood crimes by 20 per cent over the next four years.

The meetings form part of the public consultation on the draft Police and Crime Plan which will be published alongside the latest Metropolitan Police Estates Review. The MPS has reviewed its whole property portfolio to see where it can cut the running costs of its large and expensive property estate whilst also developing a strategy to improve public access to the police in line the Mayor's commitment that no police front counter will close unless an equivalent or better facility for public access has been identified.

Stephen Greenhalgh, Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime said: "Policing in the capital is changing and we want to hear the views of Londoners. In these challenging economic times, tough decisions will have to be made but ultimately we want to boost public confidence in the police, cut crime, and drive down waste. To do this we need to get more officers out on the streets and be smarter about the how we use police buildings including police stations and custody suites.

"These changes will, I believe, give London the dynamic, flexible police force it needs and improve the way Londoners interact with the first public service. Over eight weeks we'll be travelling to every borough in London listening to what people have to say so their views can help shape our final plans."

Joining the Deputy Mayor will be the Assistant Commissioner for Territorial Policing, Simon Byrne/Deputy Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball (where applicable) who said:

"We know that the Met must change and we want it to change for the better. We look forward to sharing our proposals with the public which aim to increase our neighbourhood policing and make us more accessible and visible so that we're there for the public where and when the need us.

"In addition our proposals are designed to help us achieve the ambitious targets for cutting crime and increasing confidence set for us by MOPAC. Ultimately we want the Met to provide the best police service for Londoners."

To find out more about the ‘Let’s talk policing in London’ events visit www.london.gov.uk/get-involved




December 21, 2012