On August 1, Bromley borough residents were joined by councillors, council staff, and local organisations to hear the Met Police Chief and senior officers set out their two-year plan to deliver More Trust, Less Crime, and High Standards.
A New Met for London is described by the Greater London police service as “the product of more than 10,000 interactions with Londoners, our people, and partners from across the city”. The plan details the priority areas that will be focused on to ensure a quality service is delivered through more effective policing.
Superintendent Luke Baldock
The launch hosted at Bromley Civic Centre was one of 32 London borough events held across eight weeks and was facilitated by the chair of the Bromley Borough Safer Neighbourhood Board, Sharon Baldwin.
Attendees were welcomed by the leader of the council, Colin Smith, before Sir Mark Rowley restated his intent to achieve the strongest ever neighbourhood policing programme and outlined the 3 areas of reform that the plan focuses on: to fix the foundations, change the culture, and fight crime with communities.
South London BCU Commander Andy Brittain
Super Intendent Luke Baldock, the Bromley borough’s lead officer for neighbourhood policing, provided more detail and apprised attendees of the steps the Met has already taken to implement improvements, and South London BCU Commander Andy Brittain emphasised the principles and values underpinning the plan.
A Q&A followed, with residents and stakeholders invited to ask questions direct to the senior leadership team. Orpington 1st Executive Director Chris Travers raised the issue of escalating antisocial behaviour, the prevalence of retail crime, the impact of abstractions (local officers being pulled away to issues in Central London), and the need for increased presence in the town centre.
In September Bromley Police confirmed that a post would be created for a dedicated sergeant for the Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) for the Orpington Ward, which focuses on the town centre, along with 4 PCs and 3 PCSOs. So, it is hoped that residents, businesses, and their employees will soon see more officers on our high street.
However, recruitment continues to be a challenge for the Met as it works to overcome reputational damage and struggles with a 17% real terms decrease in frontline officer pay over the last decade. Speaking to the London Assembly Police and Crime Committee in September, the Commissioner expressed disappointment that government policy meant the withdrawal of approximately £60m funding from the Home Office as a result of falling 1,000 short of its recruitment target.
On Saturday 14th October, 9.30am - 12.30pm, the Bromley Safer Neighbourhood Board (SNB) hosts the annual Bromley Crime Summit at The Civic Centre where Superintendent Baldock and colleagues will discuss how issues facing the community at large are being dealt with.
Read the full A New Met for London plan HERE
