Sarah Olney MP for Richmond Park has written to pass on a response received from TfL after she enquired whether there were plans to make cuts to our Transport Police:

‘It is disappointing to hear that inaccurate information is being shared at a police liaison meeting.
 
Over the last year, the Metropolitan Police Service (the Met) has set out its vision for future policing of the capital, New Met for London, which sets out how it will structure policing across the capital, increase trust and confidence and drive down crime. The New Met for London plan will result in significant changes to how the Met delivers enhanced roads and transport policing services, which we currently fund. We have been actively engaging with the Met to understand the implications of this change on the policing of both roads and public transport in London.
 
We are determined to ensure that London’s transport network remains a safe environment to work and travel, and that we support the Met to play their full role in delivering on the Mayor’s Vision Zero strategy. We will continue to work closely with the Met as we respond to the changes they are proposing, and we will ensure our continued funding of policing is delivering value for money and measurably improving the safety and security of travelling in London.’

It is always good to have a public statement from TfL. Facts are better than speculation, such as is necessary with so much policy development locally. See Hammersmith Bridge and a Traffic Management Plan around the Stag Brewery.

This response refers to the New Met policy, ‘designed to increase trust and confidence and drive down crime’. That may be true in relation to local transport. It certainly does not apply to plans for policing Richmond and Bushy Parks.