Policing in South-West London

Opened the debate

I am grateful for the opportunity to raise concerns about police resources within the south west command unit of the Metropolitan Police, which covers Richmond and Kingston among others. I commend the local police force but highlight that scarce resources are often diverted towards addressing demands in Wandsworth, an inner-city borough with unique challenges. The ongoing pandemic has exacerbated issues by shifting crime patterns from city centres to suburban areas like Richmond and Kingston, leading to a rise in antisocial behaviour and a need for more visible policing. I have written to the Mayor expressing my concerns about potential budget cuts due to the impact of coronavirus on local authority budgets, which could further strain police resources. The mayor’s office provided information on measures taken but could not assure an increase in police numbers for Richmond and Kingston. Furthermore, private security initiatives have emerged as a response to the perceived lack of policing presence, which I firmly oppose. I call upon the Government to ensure that all communities receive adequate policing resources.

Government Response

I thank Sarah Olney for raising these important issues regarding police resource allocation in the south west command unit. The Government has provided significant funding to London through the Mayor's Office for Policing and Crime, which includes support for an additional 1,369 officers as part of a commitment to recruit 20,000 more police officers nationally over three years. Despite challenges posed by the pandemic, such as increased demands due to public order situations and lockdown effects on crime patterns, the Metropolitan Police has shown remarkable resilience in adapting to new roles. I urge local authorities to make full use of tools like civil injunctions, criminal behaviour orders, and dispersal powers to address antisocial behaviour. While I respect freedom of association, I discourage privately funded police forces due to concerns about equitable access to protection. The Government remains committed to ensuring a strong visible policing presence across the country.