CommunitySafe.gov.uk

Message from Borough Commander Darren Williams

Dear Residents,

As I write to you there are only 2 days to go until the Olympic Torch comes to Merton. We are all very excited about this and I hope as many of you as possible come out on Monday to see it pass through our Borough. The torch passing through is a very obvious reminder that this time next week will see the opening of the Olympics Games. This will be a once in a generation event for London and I just want to reassure you that here in Merton we have a comprehensive policing plan to ensure that we will maintain effective policing across the borough with no drop in service to any of you. To ensure that happens I have members of my Leadership Team on duty within my Grip & Pace Centre to ensure we have enough officers on, at the right times & in the right places. I know many of you have been in to see how this works and I extend this invitation to those of you who have not yet seen it.

I have been to several meetings & public events recently and the question I am asked most frequently is about the introduction of our new Local Policing Model and specifically the future of Safer Neighbourhood Teams. Please can I make it clear, they are not being "disbanded". What is happening is that the MPS are reshaping policing so that every borough is more effective and efficient. We are going to build on the legacy of the Safer Neighbourhoods teams that you have supported over recent years and ward-based neighbourhood policing will remain at the heart of policing here at Merton. You will see a significant shift of visible, uniformed officers back into neighbourhoods to reinforce existing wards which I am sure you will be delighted to hear in fact the first 5 PSCO's arrive here on Monday. I am sure you will all be happy to hear this and I hope you would agree that this investment in Neighbourhood Policing Teams is a major commitment to local people at a time when the MPS faces difficult financial times and an on-going need to make savings.

The strong partnerships that have been built with Local Authority and other key groups such as Safer Merton, Neighbourhood Watch & Ward panels etc have all been key success factors in the reductions in crime and disorder we have seen this year. I am committed to continuing and enhancing these so that we can continue to drive down crime, reduce anti-social behaviour and make everybody be and feel safer. These will continue to be my priorities not just this year but as we move into a new era for the MPS.

I hope that this provides some clarity to you on what I know has been causing some confusion. Please let me know your thoughts or concerns, either by email, phone or Twitter. We have some of the lowest crime figures in London and I thank each and every one of you for the help you give us to maintain this.

Have a fantastic weekend - don't tell anyone but I hear a rumour that the sun will be making a welcome appearance this weekend.

Many Thanks

Darren

Dundonald Safer Neighbourhoods Team

dundonald.snt@met.police.uk

T0208 721 2450