Lib Dems Take Neighbourhood Policing Borough Wide (Islington Liberal Democrats)

Islington Liberal Democrats <Islington_ld@cix.co.uk>

Lib Dems Take Neighbourhood Policing Borough Wide

August 30, 2005 2:26 PM

Lib Dem Leader Steve Hitchins has announced plans to extend Neighbourhood Policing to all Islington Wards.

Currently only 9 of Islington's 16 wards have their own dedicated police team. To aid community safety the Lib Dems now plan to bring forward the plans for dedicated teams in the remaining 7 wards. The extra funding is planned to come from the Council Tax budget where there is a surplus available due to sound financial management.

Councillor Steve Hitchins said

"The Lib Dems have carried out a crime survey particularly in those areas without Safer Neighbourhoods and had an overwhelming response. We have listened to the concerns of residents about community safety and the need for local police teams and are acting on that.

"Areas that have these teams already tell us that they have experienced significant reductions in crime and fear of crime. We want to be able to extend that benefit right across the borough.

"Of particular concern for residents are transport hubs like Angel tube station, and there have been concerns about Finsbury Park policing. By putting dedicated police teams in these areas, not only residents but people who use these connections every day will benefit."

Highbury West, Junction, Barnsbury and St Peter's will be the first wards to benefit from the roll out of the scheme with plans for new police teams by the end of October.

Canonbury, Highbury East and St George's will have their new teams in place by March 2006.

Safer Neighbourhoods was the Mayors initiative and has played a large part in the significant rise in the London Precept over the last two years. Despite residents paying for the extra policing over half of Islington has been left without dedicated police teams under the Mayors plan.

The official decision regarding this scheme will be made at Executive on 8th September.