MP Theresa Villiers has written to the London Mayor asking for more police officers in Barnet, following a meeting where local people said they felt unsafe due to rising crime levels.
Theresa attended a virtual meeting of the High Barnet Safer Neighbourhood Team Community Action Panel earlier this month to listen to concerns.
The ward has suffered 169 instances of violence against the person, 64 burglaries, 265 thefts, 24 robberies, 110 vehicle offences and 15 sexual assaults in the previous 12 months, those present heard.
In the letter, copied to the Met Commissioner Mark Rowley, the MP said: "Whilst expressing sincere gratitude to their neighbourhood police officers, a number of people present spoke of their grave concern about crime levels, including the chair of the panel."
“Some residents said that they did not feel safe, especially when out after dark. Serious anxiety was expressed about the crime figures for the ward for February 2022 to January 2023."
“It was felt that there was not sufficient effective action against burglary and car crime. A number of panel members also emphasised that the police should be doing more on drug dealing offences.”
The former Cabinet Minister pointed out that thanks to the Government's recruitment of additional police, the Met now has more uniformed officers than at any time in its history. “Yet there seems not to have been an increase in visible police presence in my constituency,” she explained. “The meeting clearly wanted the Safer Neighbourhood Team for High Barnet to be strengthened. It is currently made up of just three officers."
“Can I urge you to ensure that the additional officers and resources which have recently been allocated to the Met start to have an impact in Barnet?"
“I agree with my constituents that we need to enlarge our SNT teams. We have some of the largest wards in London. We therefore need bigger teams to deliver effective community policing. When will this happen?”
She added in the letter that there remains strong support for Barnet Police Station.
“Local people want it to remain in police use. I would therefore take this opportunity, once again, to ask you to reconsider your decision to shut the front desk. Please do not press ahead with the proposed sale of the building for redevelopment."
“A physical police presence in my constituency is vital for keeping my constituents safe,” she added.
