Thanks to the Times Series I now know that I live in “crowded outer suburbia”.
Your report on confidence in the police (‘Confidence in police too low’, Times Series, January 8) prompted me to visit the website behind your story. It clearly shows that confidence in the police is greatest in the most prosperous areas.
The authorities have divided police areas into some 12 categories, not just ‘crowded outer suburbia’, but ‘suburban villages’ (such as Whetstone), alongside other gems such as ‘inner gentrification’, (Hackney), single living centre (Camden), and ‘quiet ageing outer’ (Bromley).
Confidence levels overall within Barnet are similar but detailed study of the website reveals wide disparities within my police area. For example, the police locally are seen as fairly friendly but communications are poor.
It strikes me that communications, for example, can only improve if more resources are available for staffing of police and police community support officers. Under Mayor Boris Johnson police numbers have fallen. In the circumstances it is a miracle crime is not worse than it is.
London is unique in England in not having a Police Commissioner. Many people may not know it but Boris Johnson is the nearest we have to one.
The Conservatives, including Mayor Johnson, do not believe the public spending necessary for policing and other public services because they want low taxation for the rich.
We need policing as effective in Newham (49 per cent confidence) as Richmond (86 per cent). That will only come about when we get a government prepared to tax fairly and fully and spend enough on policing.
But that won’t happen under this government.
David Beere
Colin Crescent, London
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