Bobbies will be back on the beat in Hammersmith & Fulham as the council pay for their biggest ever increase of council-funded police officers.
In an historic deal with the Metropolitan Police, the borough can now boast 20% more bobbies than before to protect and safeguard the community.
The move comes after the Government has slashed its contribution to policing, London alone has lost 2,000 officers since 2010.
Cllr Stephen Cowan, Leader of the Council, said: “We re-negotiated with property developers on deals already struck and have won millions of pounds in extra funds.
“We are using a proportion of that money to increase police numbers so that we can make a real push to drive crime down and improve safety for Hammersmith and Fulham’s residents.”
The deal will allow Hammersmith & Fulham to fund 44 officers – up from 36 this year – to work across the whole borough to prevent and deal with crime and anti-social behaviour.
Cllr Sue Fennimore, Cabinet Member for Social Inclusion, added: “These 44 council-funded police officers will help fill the gap left by the government’s police cuts and they will play a vital role in tackling crime and working with us to reduce the causes of crime.”
Picture courtesy of Steve Evans, with thanks
