WALTHAM Forest Council is calling on residents to back its campaign for more police officers for the borough.

For several weeks council leader Chris Robbins has been pushing for an extra 120 officers to help tackle crime in the run-up to the Olympics.

Now, in a rare display of unity, the leaders of the three political groups have come together to officially launch the campaign.

The leaders are urging residents to show their support by filling in postcards, which will be available at council buildings, or by signing an online petition.

Metropolitan Police deputy assistant commissioner Lynne Owens visited Cllr Robbins at the town hall and the council leader said he was happy with the discussion, although he has not secured a firm promise of more police and has yet to receive an official response.

Cllr Robbins said: “I’m still open-minded about what the Met may say.

“It’s by no means a done deal but they need to see that our residents are serious about this.”

Because Waltham Forest is classed as outer London, the borough currently has just 562 police officers, compared to 768 in neighbouring Newham, 761 in Hackney and 778 in Tower Hamlets – this is despite similar populations and crime profiles.

Reported crime rose in Waltham Forest by 3.9 per cent last year, an extra 1,012 crimes, compared to a drop in reported crime in Newham, Hackney and Tower Hamlets.

The postcards will be available at council buildings from next Monday (September 21). Residents can also sign the petition at www.walthamforest.gov.uk/backup