Lambeth Lib Dems Raise Urgent Concerns as Streatham Police Teams Move Out Amid Rising ASB
Lambeth Lib Dems Raise Urgent Concerns as Streatham Police Teams Move Out Amid Rising ASB
Under the new arrangements, St Leonard’s ward team will remain at Streatham, joined by the Streatham Hill East and Streatham Hill West & Thornton teams (currently based in Brixton). But instead of strengthening local policing in Streatham, two ward teams will now be based outside the community they are meant to serve.
“This move is simply wrong for Streatham,” said Cllr Donna Harris, Leader of the Lambeth Liberal Democrat Council Group. “Residents are already telling us that anti-social behaviour and shoplifting are blighting our high streets and public spaces – and these issues are not being addressed quickly enough as it is. Moving local teams away to Gipsy Hill will only make things worse. If officers are not in the immediate area, how can they respond swiftly and build the community presence that people need to feel safe?”
The decision also raises practical concerns. Streatham base has previously housed four ward teams and has capacity to host all five local teams. Yet, under the current plans, only three will remain. Meanwhile, all Streatham teams share the same shift patterns, leaving the Streatham office empty for days at a time.
On top of this, vehicle access is already stretched, with teams sharing one car every other month and often relying on buses to reach incidents. It is unclear what transport arrangements will be in place for the Streatham Wells and Streatham Common & Vale teams once they move to Gipsy Hill – an area poorly connected to the wards they serve.
Cllr Harris added:
“Local policing must be rooted in local communities. Streatham residents deserve visible, accessible and responsive Safer Neighbourhood Teams based here in Streatham – not in Crystal Palace. That’s why I’ve raised this matter with Hina Bokhari, our London Assembly Member, who will be taking this directly to the Mayor. Lambeth Lib Dems are calling on the Met to rethink this misguided decision and to work with us to strengthen community policing where it’s needed most.”