Met Police to scrap anti-social behaviour officers

"The staff work with local authorities across London and have specialist knowledge and experience with serial drug users and consistently problematic families and individuals within boroughs. They also take part in Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) to help implement bespoke safety plans based on shared local information. Earlier this week members on the London Assembly were informed that the role will be axed, however, with their responsibilities to be handled by ward officers instead."

"Cutting specialist anti-social behaviour officers is a phenomenally short-sighted cost saving move which will undoubtedly cost more money in the long run. These specialist officers work closely with councils and other partners to deal with known individual offenders who are responsible for disproportionately high numbers of crimes on our streets. Unless he steps in, then axing these officers will send a clear signal that tackling anti-social behaviour in our communities isn't a priority for the Mayor."

"It is understood that the move is part of a wider plan to boost visible policing in neighbourhoods, rather than to save money. Earlier this year the Met announced plans to shut almost half of the capital's police station front counters in a bid to save 7million amid a 260million budget shortfall. The move would also free up officers currently stationed behind desks that the force say are used less and less each year to report crimes."

Metropolitan Police will redeploy specialist anti-social behaviour (ASB) officers into neighbourhood policing teams, ending dedicated ASB roles. Those officers work with London local authorities, handle serial drug users and persistently problematic families and individuals, and participate in Multi-Agency Risk Assessment Conferences (MARACs) to implement bespoke safety plans using shared local information. City Hall sources fear persistent ASB will be less effectively resourced when ward officers absorb responsibilities. The move is presented as part of a wider plan to boost visible neighbourhood policing rather than a cost-saving exercise. Earlier Met decisions include plans to close many police front counters and reassign Safer School Officers to neighbourhood wards.

Read at www.standard.co.uk