We have now heard confirmation from no less than the Police Commissioner himself that the safety of Londoners is being put at risk through the budget reductions being imposed on the Metropolitan Police. I'm concerned that further planned cuts will mean even fewer officers on the streets of Hackney, which is why I again raised this with the Deputy Commissioner Craig Mackey as recently as last week. 

"Hackney already has disproportionately fewer officers than other boroughs and I fear a further reduction will lead to an increase in crime, as well as in residents’ fear of crime.”

“With one of the biggest night-time economies in London and a growing population we need a greater police presence not a reduction. Moreover, when a crime is committed there is now real concern that cuts are also delaying investigations.”

“I understand that the Metropolitan Police Service, like all public services, is facing substantial budgets cuts, but I urge them to now talk seriously to us about the numbers of officers they are allocating to boroughs such as Hackney and the impact this is having. I hope that senior officers at Scotland Yard will now find this easier following Bernard Hogan-Howe’s statement.