Better neighbourhood policing in Havering with 20 extra officers

Havering is helping the Met to test a new model of neighbourhood policing as part of their Strengthening Local Policing Programme (SLPP) which will see an extra nine DWOs deployed across demanding wards in the borough.

An additional 11 PCs will work on the borough as part of the Met and Mayor of London’s commitment to ensure every ward across London has two dedicated ward PCs. This brings the total across Havering to 45 DWOs, along with 18 Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs).

The SLPP will join local policing across Havering, Barking and Dagenham and Redbridge. This ‘East Area Command Unit’ has been set up to help reduce duplication of duties within all teams meaning more officers can be dedicated to neighbourhood policing and to strengthen the community engagement by working with local people.

Councillor Roger Ramsey, Leader of the Council said, “We are pleased to have extra police officers in the borough to help keep Havering safe. Although the borough is a safe place to live, a greater police presence is welcomed.”

Chief Superintendent Jason Gwillim, who will lead the East Area Command Unit said, “This is a landmark moment for our Strengthening Local Policing programme and I am delighted that, as part of this, many communities across the Boroughs will have more dedicated policing support in their neighbourhoods. It has taken an extraordinary amount of work to get to this significant point and I would like to thank all the Councils for their support in making Barking and Dagenham, Redbridge and Havering trailblazers in the Met's ambition to transform policing across London.”

By testing the model first, the Met can see what works and what doesn’t. This will last around six months, then, in with consultation with partners including the chief executives of local authorities, this will inform any further roll out of the programme across London.