Havering Council Leader welcomes opportunities for the borough in pilot policing scheme
The Leader of Havering Council has welcomed the announcement of the participation of the borough in the pilot scheme for the new Basic Command Unit (BCU) model.
This will see larger police units that cover a number of boroughs. Currently there are 32 units across London mirroring each borough.
This BCU model will change how police resources are deployed to meet the changing demands of crime and public safety particularly around protecting vulnerable people including victims of sexual offences.
This will not mean a change to the dedicated ward officers, which will still increase in line with announcements made this year.
To test this model, senior police officers have been talking to Chief Executives in selected boroughs about being part of the pilot. The two test BCUs would compromise Barking & Dagenham, Havering and Redbridge and the other would be Camden and Islington.
The Leader of the Council, Councillor Roger Ramsey said:
“Havering Council works closely with the police and we are pleased to be part of this pilot scheme which will give us a chance to influence a programme that will be rolled out across the capital. We will be able to monitor and evaluate the scheme and discuss the issues that arise with senior officers before decisions are taken about how it will work in its final form.
“We will also be receiving new front-line police officers, which will be very welcome, although the exact numbers will not be known for some weeks.”