Lambeth councillors and the MP representing Myatt’s Fields have appealed to the Metropolitan Police to provide more resources to tackle crime in the area.
Florence Eshalomi, Labour MP for the Vauxhall and Camberwell Green constituency, and Myatt’s Fields councillors Annie Gallop and Paul Gadsby said they want extra effort to support measures already being taken by police and Lambeth council safety teams in the ward.
The call comes as extra police resources are being found for the Windrush ward area, taking in much of central Brixton.
In a letter to acting Lambeth and Southwark borough commander Detective Superintendent Emma Bond, the MP and councillors said that, although there have been recent arrests in the area, more needs to be done to deal with what appears to be an upsurge in robberies on the Myatts Fields North and Cowley estates, and around Myatt’s Fields park.
“This has created significant anxiety in the community, especially as these incidents have been ongoing for some time,” said the letter.
While praising the actions of the local police Safer Neighbourhood team, the letter said that “more effort is needed to reassure our communities that everything is being done to keep residents safe”.
The MP and councillors said they are aware that the hard work and diligence of local police officers, as well as that of Lambeth council officers attached to the community safety team, have borne results.
“From what we have been told, eight suspects have been arrested for robbery, another known gang member has recently been apprehended and at least one property search warrant has been executed. This is incredibly welcome,” said the letter.
However, it insists that local initiatives need more support from the Met, and invited Commander Bond – whose engagement with the local community had been welcomed – to address a Safer Neighbourhood Panel – the body through which police liaise with communities.
The letter was also signed by Safer Neighbourhood chair Lucy Williams and its secretary Mark Mitchell.
