Hornchurch & Upminster MP Julia Lopez has written to the Home Secretary after Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley warned that neighbourhood policing is being undermined by officers repeatedly pulled into central London for major events and protests.
Mrs Lopez said Sir Mark’s concerns reflect what she hears from residents in Havering, who want a visible and reliable police presence in their communities but too often see local officers diverted elsewhere.
“Constituents consistently tell me that a regular and reliable police presence is what makes the greatest difference to their sense of safety,” she said. “Havering residents want and deserve strong, consistent local policing. It is only fair that outer London boroughs do not lose out because of central London demands.”
She highlighted that while the last Conservative Government boosted police numbers across the capital, the sheer volume of protests and large-scale operations in central London is leaving outer boroughs like Havering exposed.
In her letter, Mrs Lopez urged the Home Secretary to act on Sir Mark’s warning by ensuring the Met has the resources to meet both its national responsibilities and its neighbourhood commitments. She also pressed ministers not to deepen the financial strain facing the Met in this year’s budget.
“Labour’s choices last year, such as adding financial pressure through changes to National Insurance contributions, have only made this situation worse,” she added.
Mrs Lopez pledged to keep campaigning so Havering residents get the local policing they need and are not disadvantaged by the capital’s unique demands.
