For nearly 15 years, I have had the privilege of collaborating with the Metropolitan Police, witnessing their dedication and commitment to public safety. My relationship with the force was profoundly deepened during critical events, including the London Bridge Terrorist Attack in 2017, to which I was a witness. This tragic yet extraordinary experience, along with my more recent engagement with the Met as a volunteer, opened my eyes the pressing challenges law enforcement faces amid escalating threats to public security.
Whilst volunteering I had the opportunity to visit numerous police stations across London, actively assisting officers in the field. I also had discussions with our Commanders, including Commissioners Dame Cressida Dick and Sir Mark Rowley, the former Met Police Head of Professionalism Chief Constable Catherine Roper, and more recently with Assistant Commissioner Matt Jukes of Scotland Yard. These experiences have only strengthened my deep-seated admiration for the police service and the relentless effort they exert daily.
However, during my participation in their operations, I witnessed the increasing pressures they face and the stressful and life-threatening nature of their work. Once, I assisted a large police operation against a group of five young gangsters in possession of knives: three of whom were arrested for possession of knives and drugs in a car, two of whom escaped. For this operation, our patrol van was joined by four more police cars and motorbikes,
whilst a crowd of 10-15 aggressive youths tried to disrupt the operation on a busy Wimbledon road in broad daylight in front of astonished passersby. I was also aggressively confronted by a drug user during a patrol round in a housing estate when I found him living in a private bicycle cubic garage less than two metres by two metres wide. It has become glaringly evident to me, through these and other experiences, that there is an urgent need for increased funding.
I vividly recall an occasion when I patrolled a park in East London alongside a group
of five uniformed police officers whilst I wore a yellow police volunteer jacket. For the few hours we spent in the park, everything appeared tranquil. Families and children were enjoying themselves feeding the pigeons. There were people engaging in exercise and jogging, too. Numerous park-goers warmly greeted us and sought information on various local public order issues. After our service I removed my shiny yellow jacket and set off
toward the train station at the opposite end of the park we had just patrolled. I could’ve been forgiven for mistaking the park for another. The atmosphere had drastically shifted: people were openly smoking cannabis and crack cocaine, groups of teenagers were shouting and shoving one another, the families had left and the joggers were following suit. In the less than half an hour since our patrol had wrapped up, the park had become another. We indubitably need a greater police presence in every corner of our local, and indeed digital, communities.
The closure of many police stations is profoundly disappointing, and the few
remaining stations in London—most of which I have visited—are in a state of
alarming decay and neglect.
The riots that have unfolded in recent months have nevertheless showcased the police service’s ability to rise to the occasion. Despite their commendable efforts, they remain vulnerable to such unforeseeable and unpredictable disturbances such as mass riots. This vulnerability is primarily attributable to inadequate resources, which significantly impede their capacity to prepare for and respond appropriately to such incidents. This issue was similarly witnessed during the G20 Summit in 2009 and, even more violently, during the London Riots of 2011. This is a systemic problem that has plagued administrations for decades.
One particular area where I believe immediate improvements can be made is in the
allocation of financial resources. Increasing funding would empower the Metropolitan
Police to bolster their operational capabilities, invest in cutting-edge technology, and
expand training programs. Specifically, integrating drones equipped with advanced cameras could greatly enhance day and night surveillance and crowd management efforts, particularly useful in providing crucial real-time data during large-scale events and incidents. This would also prevent time-wasting and injuries to officers in dangerous areas at night and offer a meticulous recording of the facts, for which then an “in-person” police
presence could be called in. This technological advancement could serve as a transformative solution in maintaining public safety, ensuring that law enforcement is not solely reactive.
Despite the UK Police force consistently displaying remarkable resilience and dedication, the myriad challenges they encounter necessitate a thorough reassessment of funding priorities. By investing in the police force, particularly in raising officer numbers, improving the level and impact of modern technology, developing a state-of-the-art drone task force, and enhancing online investigation capabilities, we can ensure they possess the necessary tools to serve our communities efficiently. It is high time policymakers acknowledged the crucial importance of supporting our law enforcement agencies.
Image: Flickr/Thomas Wood
No image changes made.
Commentaires