Ealing Liberal Democrats Get Commitment From Local Police (Ealing Borough Liberal Democrats)

Ealing Borough Liberal Democrats <info@ealinglibdems.org.uk>

Ealing Liberal Democrats Get Commitment From Local Police

July 25, 2011 10:30 PM
By Gary Malcolm

The Ealing Liberal Democrat Council Group met with Ealing's Borough Commander to discuss the details of some cuts to local police (SNT) sergeants.

There have been a lot of concerns about the possibility that the local SNT teams, who have built a good relationship in the 23 wards in Ealing, will be moved to areas of high crime for long periods which will mean crime will rise in other areas as well as seeing public confidence reduced. The plans will mean that some wards will be paired and have one sergeant (not two).

The Borough Commander assured us that:

Local councillors and members of the ward police panels (made up mainly of residents) will be informed if the local police team are due to conduct activities in areas not in their ward. This will only occur for a few days at a time.
They would only be able to conduct work outside their ward area for a specific important task and period of time.
Roles for areas where PCSOs who are ill will be covered and not allowed to become overworked due to illness.
There will be a review in a few months after the new working arrangements occur so residents and councillors can assess the affect of the changes.

Liberal Democrat Leader, Councillor Gary Malcolm, said: "The discussion with the Borough Commander was very fruitful and he seemed very genuine for the need to ensure public confidence. Our proposals to ensure that communication between the police, residents and councillors were accepted. We await to see the effect of the changes."