Plans for Met officers to patrol parks in Wandsworth

Anyone, like the idea of parks such as Battersea Park being patrolled by Met officers?

Under proposals currently being reviewed, as many as 16 Met officers with advanced levels of training would be operating in Wandsworth’s green spaces.

They would not be called upon to respond to police duties other than those they carry out in the park unless it was an emergency.

The officers would be mainly made up of constables while some may hold the rank of sergeant. They would not be civilian community support officers (PCSOs).

Negotiations are now underway between Wandsworth Council and the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) over the proposals.

Wandsworth's police commander Chief Supt David Musker said: "We fully support this initiative and will be working with our partners in the local authority to design a service that meets the needs of those who enjoy the world class green open spaces in the borough.

"The Metropolitan Police Service is committed to making the borough safer for residents and those who work, socialise and travel through Wandsworth."

In recent years, patrol duties in the borough's parks and commons has rested on the shoulders of the Wandsworth parks police service - specially trained civilians employed as uniformed constables by the council. Most other boroughs do not provide this service at all.

The council says the new plans could save taxpayers in Wandsworth up to £800,000 a year.

These savings would be achieved by a reduction in staff costs, office costs, management costs and also equipment costs.

The

council's environment spokesman Cllr Sarah McDermott said: "In these difficult economic times, we are having to review every single thing we do - and if we can deliver an enhanced police and patrolling service to the public while achieving significant savings at the same time, then that is something we are obviously keen to pursue.

"What we must not do however is overlook the sterling work done over many years by the parks police service. What we are now seeking to do is build upon their successes and achievements and continue to provide the safest possible environment for visitors to our parks and open spaces."

The deal being discussed with the MPA follows an offer last month to London's town halls from the Mayor Boris Johnson enabling them to purchase extra police resources for their boroughs.

The Mayor's offer was on a "buy one get one free" basis. For every officer the boroughs paid for, the Mayor would match fund a second. In this way Wandsworth's intention is to "purchase" eight officers and get 16.

The Mayor said: "This ingenious 'buy one get one free' scheme will boost more police officers in every corner of our city. As councils across London are balancing their budgets, this scheme will give them even more crime fighting ability."

The proposals will be discussed in full by councillors on the environment, culture and community safety overview and scrutiny committee on April 5.

Thoughts Battersea People?