Lib Dems Extend Bobbies on the Beat (Islington Liberal Democrats)

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

Lib Dems Extend Bobbies on the Beat

October 8, 2005 12:00 AM

Islington Lib Dem Council's Executive will tonight agree plans to give all wards their own police team by March 2006.

Highbury West, Junction, Barnsbury and St Peter's wards will all get new police teams by October 2005.

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

Under the Labour London Mayors plan Islington wouldn't have benefited from full coverage of ward policing until 2007. The Lib Dems have found the money to plug the gap, and give residents a service they need now.

Councillor Jyoti Vaja, Executive Member for Community Safety said

"Residents have told us that they want more bobbies on the beat and we have listened to them.

"The Safer Neighbourhoods teams have made a huge difference and boroughs which them in every ward have seen big drops in crime levels. Crime is a concern for residents and we want to offer them the advantages of having their own police team where ever they live in the borough.

"Many people find that a visible police crime makes them feel safer, and that is really important for residents. By extending this scheme early we are giving residents what they want and deserve."

The extra funding is planned to come from the Council Tax budget where there is a surplus available due to sound financial management.