Westminster Labour Councillors have welcomed news from the Metropolitan Police that there will be around 50 more police on the streets of Westminster to deal with crime across the city.

Over recent weeks, residents have raised concerns about:

• drug dealing and knife violence in Soho
• cars broken into and thefts in Queen’s Park
• robberies in the Abbey Road area
• continued anti-social behaviour in Church Street

The Metropolitan Police that

• Up to 26 more police will be on the streets following the decision to use police from right across London to handle security for the Changing of the Guard outside Buckingham Police. Currently only police from Westminster are used for this.
• The Territorial Support Group have been posted to Westminster for 8 weeks to provide high visibility patrols in the West End, and will supplement the local policing teams
• Westminster will gain two extra inspectors. This will include a dedicated West End Detective Inspector who will oversee pro-active crime operations as well as one other inspector who will oversee the Integrated Street Engagement Unit (ISEU) and West End night time economy activity
• Integrated Street Engagement Unit police officers will combine with a neighbourhood team to provide 20 police officers dedicated to tackling crime and anti-social behaviour in Westminster.

Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, Labour Environment and City Management spokesperson, said:

“This is good news for Westminster residents, with around 50 more police on the streets to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. The Government cuts are biting hard and will continue to do so as £1 billion is cut from the police budget, but we are pleased that the Metropolitan Police are making extra resources available to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour.”

Councillor Aicha Less, Labour Public Protection spokesperson

“I am very pleased with the increase of policing in Westminster that have added to the security of our communities. The police have also promised to install 60 CCTV units in borough to replace those removed by the Council, which will help tackle anti-social behaviour, criminal damage to vehicles and shop fronts. This is certainly a step in the right direction, but more needs to be done to keep residents and visitors safe at all times.”