Croydon leads the way again: this time in police cut backs

insidecroydon

15 years ago

Worrying developments in South Croydon in the last few weeks, with implications for safety on the streets for us all.

First, there was the stabbing of a community support officer in Waddon.

Then, on Friday evening, a policeman was shot.

Safer Neighbourhood Teams – SNTs – were introduced in 2004, part of an initiative of the previous Mayor of London, Ken Livingston.

According to Croydon Council: “The police and partner agencies work together with local communities to identify and tackle issues of concern such as tackling anti-social behaviour, graffiti, disorder or other quality-of-life issues.

“Each safer neighbourhood team has one sergeant, two police constables and three police community support officers (PCSOs). The difference between these officers and other community police is that the community, not the Metropolitan Police, set their priorities…

“Every ward in Croydon has its own dedicated safer neighbourhood team.”

Except that will no longer be the case. Under Boris Johnson as Mayor of London, Croydon is to lose six police sergeants from its SNTs – a bigger cut than any other borough in the capital. Our ruling Croydon Council appears to accept this with alacrity.

Do you think that will help to make Croydon a better, safer place to live?

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