We need some clarity on what is happening to many of London's police stations, which have had their front counters closed and are at risk of having their land sold off. Unfortunately this week we have heard one thing from the Mayor and another from the Met, and this clip from today's Police and Crime Committee clearly demonstrates this.
Caroline Pidgeon expressed her serious concern at the news of the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) refusing to announce before the General Election whether it will investigate allegations about a conflict of interest in Boris Johnson’s dealings with US businesswoman Jennifer Arcuri while he was Mayor.
Caroline said:
At October's London Assembly plenary session, Caroline questioned the Mayor and the Met Police Commissioner regarding the increase in stop and search complaints. Their response was disappointing.
Caroline said:
Caroline Pidgeon and her colleagues on the London Assembly's Police and Crime Committee held a very important session on 30 October to review how to address domestic abuse.
The committee heard from organisations who work on domestic abuse about the challenges faced by victims and work that we can do, here in London, to support those who suffer domestic abuse. Domestic abuse is a real and growing issue and it is important that we look at new and innovative ways of tackling it.
The Met police are regularly not responding to 999 calls that are categorised as ‘significant’ in more than two thirds of London boroughs, new figures reveal.
The most recent figures that the Mayor was forced to publish, following questioning by the Liberal Democrat Londonwide Assembly Member Caroline Pidgeon, reveal that in 21 of the 32 London boroughs the police failed to respond to 999 calls categorised as ‘significant’ within the one hour time limit.
Caroline was proud to attend the service of thanksgiving to mark 100 years of women serving in the Metropolitan Police.
Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, has revealed that the Mayor of London’s pledge to restore community policing is being broken in numerous wards across the London boroughs.
Back in December 2017 Sadiq Khan boasted that he has successfully delivered on his promise to deliver at least two dedicated Police Constables and one dedicate Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) in every ward in London.
Concerns about changes to the way London Boroughs help fund extra police officers have recently been raised by at City Hall by Caroline Pidgeon AM, the Liberal Democrat Assembly Member.
During the London Assembly session to consider the Mayor's final draft Budget, Caroline pressed him on Crossrail and PCSO numbers.
Caroline Pidgeon has criticised the lack of participation by St George's hospital, and the Chelsea and Westminster NHS trust, in a scheme that aims to tackle hidden violence on the street by reporting anonymised information about violent injuries.
Caroline told the Evening Standard:
"This data-sharing scheme is highly effective. For a hospital, especially in London, to opt out of the scheme is truly horrific. As the scheme does not involve any breach of personal data there really is no excuse.”
