Safer neighbourhood teams key to reassure public and reduce crime

The commissioner of the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) has backed a new campaign highlighting the presence of the hundreds of police safer neighbourhood teams across the capital.

The ‘Meet your neighbours’ campaign is part of the new commissioner’s overall vision to bring ‘Total Policing’ to London. The initiative will raise awareness of the 630 safer neighbourhood teams in the city which provide an engaging, visible and accessible service, working to increase confidence in their local communities, reassure the public and reduce crime.

The campaign, which includes posters on the underground and bus stops as well as a short radio advertisement, aims to encourage the public to get in touch with their dedicated local safer neighbourhood team.

Commissioner Bernard Hogan-Howe said: “We are committed to serving London’s communities through our safer neighbourhoods policing programme. My vision of total policing begins in the neighbourhoods. We need dedicated teams of officers in every ward in London. We can only succeed if we work with and for local people to tackle the crimes that matter to them most.

“These officers who walk the beat and meet the public are part of local communities. As with any good neighbours they are the sort of people you want in your area. I’m encouraging my officers to talk to the public. My message to Londoners is to do the same.”

Safer neighbourhood teams are just one of the many ways the public can make contact with the MPS. The public can also use online services, through www.met.police.uk to get information or report crime; visit a police station or front counter; or approach an officer in the street. In addition, officers can also arrange to visit residents at their own convenience – last year the MPS made 80,000 appointments.

Carl Bussey, acting commander for the MPS` crime and customer strategy department, said: “The new information campaign focuses on the vital role played by safer neighbourhood teams across London. Every local community in London continues to benefit from its own dedicated safer neighbourhood team, all working hard to support local communities and help address their crime or safety concerns. We are also being ever more flexible in opening up further channels for the public to access us, from our new contact number, 101, to home appointments, to our Twitter feed.”

The Deputy Mayor of London for Policing backed the initiative and moved to clear up concerns over the reduction of the number of sergeants in safer neighbourhood teams.

Kit Malthouse said: “Safer neighbourhood teams are here to stay and they have my full support. Not only do they play an important role in tackling crime and amassing local knowledge, but the officers also build strong relationships with the public.

“With prudent financial management, we have protected every constable and PCSO (police community support officer) working in neighbourhoods and ensured every ward will continue to have a safer neighbourhood team. The only difference is that some sergeants may be shared amongst wards, which in many cases will lead to better co-ordination and more efficient crime fighting. I hope even more people get to know their hard-working local police officers who do a tremendous job in tackling crime in our communities.”

As part of Mr Hogan-Howe’s vision of ‘Total Policing’, within the first 100 days of taking up his position he will roll out more widely the MPS’s programme to tackle gangs across 14 boroughs, lead a drive to seize uninsured vehicles and introduce a scheme whereby every month the entire force will focus on tackling one particular issue across the city, such as individuals who skip bail or who are committing traffic offences.

In a letter addressed to Londoners earlier this month, Mr Hogan-Howe said: “As commissioner, I have three simple aims: I want us to cut crime, cut costs and continue to develop the culture of the organisation, and to do all that based on the simple but important values of