Ken Livingstone today launched a campaign against the decision by Boris Johnson and the Tory-led Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) to cut 455 police officers in London.
On February 10th Boris Johnson finalised plans to cut 455 police officers and at the same time refused to give any guarantees for the future of London’s 630 dedicated Safer Neighbourhood Police Teams.
Londoners can sign a petition from today calling on Boris Johnson and the MPA to reverse the cuts and guarantee the future of London’s Safer Neighbourhood Police Teams.
Londoners can sign the petition at: http://petition.co.uk/no-to-tory-police-cuts-in-london
Ken Livingstone has also emailed thousands of Londoners today to ask for their experiences of policing, crime and safety in London and ideas for making the streets safer. Londoners can send Ken their views and suggestions to: future@kenlivingstone.com
Ken Livingstone said:
“Londoners want a greater uniformed presence on the streets and action by the police to tackle knife crime, anti-social behaviour and make the streets safer. Boris Johnson’s decision to cut 455 police officers in London threatens to seriously undermine this vital work and the fight against crime in London.
“If elected Mayor I would guarantee the future of every Safer Neighbourhood Police Team in London.
“With this campaign today I am calling on Boris Johnson and the Tory-led MPA to reverse their decision to cut 455 police officers and to guarantee the future of London’s 630 dedicated Safer Neighbourhood Police Teams.”
Chair of Ken Livingstone’s campaign, David Lammy MP said:
“It is staggering Boris Johnson cannot provide a guarantee that London’s safer neighbourhood teams will not be cut. Parents, pensioners and shop-keepers will be feeling anxious about losing their local police teams.
“Boris has pledged to cut waste, but instead he is cutting police numbers.
“In the coming days and weeks we will be taking this message to Londoners in all parts of the capital and involving them in our campaign for a safer London.”
