Julia Lopez MP hosted a meeting between Conservative MPs and Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Sir Mark Rowley, in parliament this week to raise constituents' concerns about crime in the capital.
The wide-ranging discussion covered antisemitism and the recent attacks in Golders Green, where MPs commended Sir Mark for so quickly and publicly backing officers who faced criticism after apprehending the attacker. The group stressed the importance of supporting police who must make split-second decisions in incredibly dangerous situations to protect us all.
Mass protests dominated much of the conversation. Last weekend alone, the Met deployed 4,000 officers to manage demonstrations in central London - a recurring drain on resources that Mrs Lopez fears comes at a direct cost to outer London boroughs like Havering, where residents want more visible local policing.
The Commissioner updated MPs on the Met's expanding use of live facial recognition technology and drones, and the group discussed phone theft, shoplifting, and the organised criminal networks behind them. Concerns were raised about the wider criminal justice system, including how early prison releases are undermining efforts to tackle prolific shoplifting and drugs offenders.
While falling murder rates and improved conviction rates for violence against women and girls offer some encouragement, MPs noted the Met has shrunk significantly from its peak - losing thousands of officers and staff - even as the complexity of crime grows.
Mrs Lopez said:
"Police officers are doing an incredibly difficult job in challenging and dangerous circumstances. They deserve our backing as well as the resources, laws and tools to do it effectively."
