THE impact of the radical shake-up of policing in the country will not affect patrols in the borough.

The only cutbacks currently faced by officers in the borough are a cut back on overtime and the loss of a Safer Neighbourhood Team vehicle.

Sgt Jon Harwood, of Wanstead SNT, was at Redbridge Council's Area One Committee leeting last night.

Home Secretary Theresa May made an annoucement yesterday outlining plans to overhaul policing in England and Wales.

At the Area One meeting Suzanne Nolan, Conservative councillor for Snaresbrook Ward, asked for an indication of whether cut backs might affect officers in the borough.

Mr Harwood said overtime cut backs would not affect Wanstead SNT as his officers tend not to work overtime regularly.

He said the SNT vehicle which was used in Wanstead and Woodford was taken away at the end of June as it was considered a "luxury" and money could be saved by not running and maintaining the car.

At the meeting at Wanstead Library Michelle Dunn, Conservative councillor for Wanstead Ward, said: "I'm concerned about the vehicle being taken away, it always seems to be our area that gets hit."

But, speaking after the meeting, Mr Harwood said the loss of the vehicle was more of a "nuisance" than a problem.

He said the cuts were not a "ward thing or a borough thing but a Met (Police) thing".

Mr Harwood said the SNT vehicle was an unmarked car that was primarily used for transporting police literature or advice to functions that the SNT were attending.

He said: "It will make taking boxes and things to festivals harder for example but it was basically an admin car and was not used for patrol as the whole ethos of SNT is for us to be out there on foot."

Mr Harwood said there were three vehicles assigned to SNTs in the borough and now there is one and he said if it is needed in the future his officers will have to make sure they book it in advance.

With regards to overtime cut backs, Mr Harwood said SNT officers tend to get their work done within their alloted shift.

He said in the past officers might work overtime if they made an arrest near to the end of their shift and had to deal with the suspect.

He said now officers would need to seek authority to work longer or would have to hand the arrest over for somebody else to deal with.