POLICE numbers in Waltham Forest will not be reviewed, despite a high-profile council campaign for more officers.
The Metropolitan Police Authority has confirmed the formula used to allocate officers, which leaves Waltham Forest with fewer police than inner London boroughs with similar crime profiles, will not change.
The cross-party campaign for 120 extra officers, spearheaded by council leader Chris Robbins, has so far won the support of 6,500 residents who have signed a petition calling for a fairer deal for the borough.
But despite meetings described as positive between local councillors, City Hall officials and Scotland Yard bosses, the MPA is refusing to budge – raising the likelihood that the campaign is doomed to failure.
A MPA spokesman said: “While there is no intention to review the methodology which decides the number of officers deployed to each borough, Waltham Forest’s borough commander manages her staff within this allocation to provide the best possible response to the local community.”
The MPA recently held a Joint Engagement Meeting (JEM), which brought together local councils, police and other partners to discuss initiatives aimed at improving police performance.
The council has funded ten extra police officers, which have replaced the former street wardens, in an attempt to tackle gangs and shopping centre crime.
The move followed a consultation last year which showed residents are more worried about violent, youth and environmental crimes than any other policing issues.
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