Lambeth Liberal Democrats oppose police over extra officers

Lib Dems voted against Labour's extra police

Liberal Democrat councillors in Lambeth are on a collision course with local police. They are opposing 21 extra officers for the borough’s police teams. Lambeth’s top cop has written to the Labour Leader of the Council saying he wants to see powerless council wardens replaced with uniformed Police Community Support Officers under direct police command.

In an unprecedented letter to Council Leader Steve Reed, Borough Police Commander Martin Bridger said “…it is my view that the council should consider replacing the wardens scheme with additional PCSOs”. The Labour council is delivering on its promise to work more closely with the police by agreeing the Borough Commander’s request for more PCSOs.

These officers will come under direct police command, providing a further expansion in the number of visible, uniformed officers out on the streets – replacing the weak and powerless council wardens. The extra officers will work with the Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNTs), dedicated teams of police officers who operate on a ward by ward basis, getting to know local issues and answering to local people. SNTs have been introduced across Lambeth by Labour Mayor Ken Livingstone with the support of Labour Councillors. Lib Dems at City Hall voted against the scheme.

Amazingly Lib Dems councillors are now opposing the Police request for more PCSOs. At a Cabinet meeting on Monday night Lib Dem Councillors turned up to oppose the Police.

Councillor Mark Bennett, Lambeth Labour Cabinet Member for Community Safety said:

“Residents want to see more support for the police. They are asking why the Liberals prefer to face down the police instead of facing down criminals, and why having voted against the Safer Neighbourhood Police Teams in the first place they are now opposing Labour's latest plans to boost them to record high numbers.”

“This Labour Council is absolutely determined to work with the police to make Lambeth safer for everyone who lives here. Under the Liberals, Lambeth went soft on crime. With Labour, that’s all changed.”

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