Jo has received the following response from Bromley Borough Commander Charles Griggs, with the excellent news that frontline policing and the Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT) will be maintained across the borough:

Thank you for your letter in support of Safer Neighbourhoods in Bromley.  

As the result of the local consultation, I am proposing to retain the current ward based structure, with a sergeant leading each team.  The will include flexibility to redstribute some PC and Police Community Support Officer posts based on individual ward crime and disorder demands.  

You will note from local press reports that my views, although shared by almost everyone consulted in Bromley, are at variance to the Metropolitan Police Service response, specifically with regard to reductions in the number of sergeants.  My position has not changed.  I believe Bromley is different and our Safer Neighbourhood structure needs to reflect the policing needs of our community, whether it be large remote rural wards, or the more urban areas.  

I already have my budget for 2011/12 and I can assure you that I am able to maintain policing services across the borough with the current Safer Neighbourhood structure.  However, the Metropolitan Police Service/ Metropolitan Police Authority Review recommendations will be discussed by the MPS Management Board in late March after which I expect a decision on our proposal.  

I remain committed to providing quality policing services to the people of Bromley.  I can assure you that I will do all I can to fight for resources for this borough.

Yours Sincerely

Charles Griggs
Borough Commander