Hackney Islington and Waltham Forest residents are asked to give their views

Local London Assembly Member, Jennette Arnold AM, called on residents to respond to the Mayor of London’s draft police and crime plan and the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority’s (LFEPA) draft London Safety Plan. Ms Arnold said it was vital London had “robust frontline services that meet the needs of our community” and urged local people not to miss the opportunity to have their voices heard. 

The Mayor of London’s draft police and crime plan, launched last week, identifies three new priorities for the capital including keeping children and young people safe, tackling violence against women and girls, and fighting extremism, hatred and intolerance. A greater focus is also placed on neighbourhood policing with Sadiq Khan confirming his plans to put two dedicated officers into every London neighbourhood by the end of 2017. Other key proposals include the appointment of a Victims’ Commissioner and reducing knife crime with more prevention and enforcement against selling and carrying knives.

Londoners are also being asked to give their views on their fire services after the Fire Authority set out its vision for the future of the Fire Brigade in the draft London Safety Plan (LSP). Proposals include expanding the London Fire Brigade’s capacity to deal with a terrorist incident and flooding. The recommendations follow Lord Toby Harris’ review into London’s terror preparedness and Anthony Mayer’s review of London Fire Brigade’s (LFB) resources. Proposals made by the Mayer Review to introduce attendance times for Fire Response Units, which carry specialist equipment such as heavy cutting apparatus, are also considered in the draft London Safety Plan.

Local London Assembly Member, Jennette Arnold AM, said:

“London is facing new challenges, not least the threat of terrorism and increases in knife crime, and that can be a difficult pill to swallow. It’s vital we know our emergency services are fully resourced and prepped to deal with whatever may come our way. It’s reassuring that those responsible for our police and fire services have a strong vision for how they will keep Londoners safe.

“We need robust frontline services that meet the needs of our community. This is a genuine exercise from the Mayor and Fire Authority to gauge the views of Londoners and I’d urge local people not to miss this opportunity.”