Crime and safety are always top priorities for local leaders like me. We all want to live safe and prosperous lives and, thankfully, for the most part that’s possible.
I always reassure people in Harrow that ours is the safest borough in London and that London crime rates in general compare favourably with other cities. Of course there’s no room for complacency, and if you’re the victim of anti-social behaviour or crime, then these facts will be of little comfort.
In common with many London politicians, I’m very concerned by the recent rise in hate crime in our communities. I was shocked by news of the murder of a Polish man in Essex recently. It is telling that for many of us, our first reaction was to think this crime was racially motivated.
Whatever form hate crime takes, be it verbal abuse, graffiti, whatever, I think we all have an obligation to show that hate crime is not tolerated. There can be no place for hate in our communities. Everyone has a right to assert who they are, and should be free to do so without apology or fear of persecution. My advice is always report and never tolerate – the 24 hour helpline number is 0800 1381625.
In an emergency always dial 999.
In Harrow we enjoy strong, integrated communities of people from many different backgrounds, and we also have fantastic neighbourhood police teams. I was keen to show off both when London’s Deputy Mayor for Policing and Crime, Sophie Lindon, visited our area recently.
It was a timely visit in that it came shortly after the commitment made by Mayor Sadiq Khan to put another dedicated police officer into every ward in the city - that’s an extra 629 officers overall. Their introduction will double the number of local police looking after our neighbourhoods, and more than a third will be out on the beat before Christmas. Another initiative that I know has been equally welcomed across our city is the Mayor’s review of fire service provision.
I remain concerned about the impact of the swingeing cuts made to this most essential of services by the previous Mayor. In more than half of London’s neighbourhood wards, fire response times have increased since the closure of 10 stations in 2014 and I welcome the opportunity to review and hopefully repair some of the mistakes of the past.
