Andrew Dismore

Dear editor

So at last we have official recognition of the truth.  Descending from Scotland Yard’s ivory tower,   Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Bernard Hogan Howe told the police’s  public road show meeting last week that crime in Barnet is increasing, despite Conservative protestations to the contrary. Year on  year, total crime in Barnet is up 6.4% ( more than the London average of 4.3%) residential burglary up 4% ( London wide , down 9%) and  violence with injury up 7% (London wide 6%) . Of the 24 categories of crime reported on the police website, only 3 showed any reduction at all: the rest are all up.

Is it a  mere coincidence that this rise  in crime  has occurred since our ward based  Safer Neighbourhood  Teams were devastated by the Conservatives’ cuts in the police budget , from nine  officers down to just two? Or is it, as seems more likely, cause and effect?  Readers can form their own opinion.

There is potentially worse to come too: the Met. still faces yet more  cuts of at least £400 million, which means almost certainly that Barnet will soon be merged with Harrow and Brent, to save money. The risk is that our officers will be pulled even  more out of Barnet to deal with rising  crime elsewhere in this   expanded multi-borough set up.

It’s clear that the Conservatives cannot be trusted on public safety and security: the first and most important job of any administration.

Andrew Dismore

Labour London Assembly Member for Barnet and Camden