Andrew Dismore

Dear Editor

In just 3 months over the summer, answers I have obtained  from the Mayor of London reveal that Camden lost a total of 1,293 officer shifts to other boroughs, averaging 99 shifts per week.  Barnet lost a total of 951 officer shifts to other boroughs, averaging 73 shifts per week. Neither Barnet nor Camden received any inward aid for public order during this time, even though there was a risk of disorder arising from the threatened far right protest in Golders’ Green.

Since 2010, under the Conservatives, Camden has already lost 215 police officers and 88 PCSOs, leaving just 669 officers and 33 PCSOs. Barnet has lost 73 police officers and 120 PCSOs, leaving just 534 officers and 52 PCSOs

These cuts in our local police can only get worse,  as the Mayor and Chancellor’s demands for even more reductions in the police budget of £1.4 billion, to a total of 40% of the Met’s  original budget , come into effect.

To then expect Barnet and Camden to lose such a high proportion of our remaining officers makes it even worse. It can be little surprise that emergency call targets are not met and so few burglaries remain unsolved.

It is outrageous that Barnet and Camden  lose our  police to plug gaps in the ever thinner blue line elsewhere.’

Yours Sincerely

Andrew Dismore

Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden