Safer Neighbourhood Policing in London

On Tuesday 5 January I spoke in a Westminster Hall debate on safer neighbourhood policing in London.

Over the past five years Hackney has lost 173 police officers. In October 2010 we had 770, now we have 597. This 22 per cent cut is by far the largest when compared to equivalent boroughs.

For the first time in many years, crime, particularly violent offences, and the fear of crime is rising in our borough.

Our officers are overstretched. Such is the pressure that the police have had to disband Operation Bantam, which for over a decade had been a critical element of the borough's response to gang violence. Where we once had a team of 40 officers dedicated to gangs, we now have six.

You can watch my speech below or read the transcript here.