Public satisfaction with Merton police is the highest in the capital according to new figures
By Dominic Sutton
Public satisfaction with Merton Police force is the highest in London, according to the Metropolitan Police’s latest figures.
The Met questioned people about their attitudes to local police across the capital’s 32 boroughs, and Merton’s force got top marks.
According to the survey, 82% of those questioned thought Merton Police were doing a good or excellent job.
Just 17% described their performance as fair, and only 1% said they were poor.
Those figures compare favourably with the rest of the capital where an average of 63% of people questioned said they thought their local police were doing a good job.
Chief Superintendent Dick Wolfenden, Borough Commander for Merton, was delighted with the figures.
“As a relatively small and notably safe borough, Merton often has to punch above its weight,” he said.
“Confidence in local policing is incredibly important.”
Chief Superintendent Wolfenden admitted there was room for improvement as 18% of those questioned weren’t satisfied with his force’s performance.
But he added the figures gave him cause for optimism particularly in the current financial climate when his force faced potential budget cuts.
“Performance like this doesn’t happen by accident,” he said. “I am tremendously proud of my police staff.”
Merton Council are also delighted with the results.
Councillor Edith Macauley, Cabinet Member for Community Safety, said: “Satisfaction with the police is a key measure of confidence and we are delighted that the public recognise the excellent work done.”
But she added although Merton was a safe place, residents still tell her crime is a concern.
“They continue to place safety very highly if not top,” she said.
“That’s why we work hard in partnership with the police to make the borough safer and to address the fear of crime.”
