Law & Order - Safer Streets FACT: Sutton has the third smallest police force in Greater London. Recent research shows that 64% of residents feel that crime and antisocial behaviour has made their area less safe. This has a negative impact on residents’ quality of life. Not all parts of the Borough have the same fear of crime and antisocial behaviour. However, crime is the top concern across the Borough with Central Sutton suffering the highest crime rates. The Metropolitan Police has labelled Sutton High Street as one of London’s top eight binge drinking “hotspots”. This is a record of failure after 24 years of Liberal Democrat control.
WE BELIEVE: Reducing crime and the fear of crime will be a top target for a Conservative administration from day one. Current recorded crime may be low compared to neighbouring boroughs, but it can never be low enough. In the north of the Borough 47% of residents do not feel safe in their area after dark with 46% of residents feeling the same in Sutton town centre: this is unacceptable to residents and to us. With around 320 officers stationed in the Borough and only a small number deployed at any one time, we believe police officers should be out on the beat rather than sitting in offices doing paperwork. Operational policing is a matter for the professionals but a Conservative-run Council has a key role to play as the accountable face of law and order in Sutton, working alongside Sutton’s police force. The ruling Liberal Democrats have not been straight with local people on public disorder in Sutton. Under their 24 year rule there has been an explosion in licences granted to pubs and clubs in the town centre making it unfriendly, unwelcoming and unsafe at night times. We will not let this continue unchecked.