Policing articles

PCSO numbers across London are too stretched

At January 2019's Mayor's Question Time, Caroline raised her concerns with over the number of deployable Police Community Support Officers in London. With vacancies and officers on long-term sick leave, places like Streatham can end up with one PCSO left to cover four wards. This is not sustainable.

Boroughs need clarity on the Met's extra police scheme

At the London Assembly Budget and Performance Committee, Caroline questioned the Mayor on the Met's Patrol Plus Scheme which allows boroughs to fund extra police officers to tackle local priority issues. The scheme is currently under review, and it's vital that boroughs get clarity on its future as soon as possible.

Met need to do more to improve 999 response times

Caroline was disappointed with the Met Police Commissioner's answers in the London Assembly around the Met's response times to 999 calls. It's clear from the figures that the police aren't meeting their targets, and this is a real concern.

Mayor admits to deteriorating 999 response times across the whole of London

The Metropolitan Police are regularly redirecting nighttime 999 calls to other police forces, the Mayor of London has admitted in response to questioning by Caroline Pidgeon. Over June, July and August, the Met diverted 2,820 emergency 999 calls to other police forces to handle.

In response to questioning the Mayor has also admitted:

    A public health approach to tackling serious violence in London is long overdue

    Caroline Pidgeon, Liberal Democrat London Assembly Member, commenting on the Mayor's announcement that he is starting a new Violence Reduction Unit of specialists in health, police and local government to deliver a public health approach to tackling the causes of violent crime, said:

    “This initiative is welcome and should have been adopted long ago.

    What does London need from the Spending Review?

    Caroline spoke at a London Councils event at Liberal Democrat conference on what London needs from the Treasury's spending review. Caroline stressed the funding pressure on London's public services, particularly Transport for London and the Metropolitan Police, and called for a better deal for London.

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