Wandsworth is set to get 25 new police officers patrolling the streets – because the council is paying for them.
The local authority expects to spend £3.1million on the scheme in its first year, and more money if it continues into future years.
The council plans to enter into an agreement with the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime (MOPAC) for 25 Metropolitan Police officers, including 22 constables and three sergeants. The officers would be based in Wandsworth Town Hall and deployed to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour, if the proposals are formally approved.
A new report by council officers said the team would act on local issues that might not otherwise be prioritised, including anti-social behaviour, drugs and other key concerns.
The cost of the scheme is estimated to be £3.1m in its first year and higher in future years. The agreement would run for at least one year, with an option to extend for another two years.
The report said: “Working alongside other key council services will allow us to maximise the benefits of this investment. Work is therefore underway to ensure that the team is co-located with council teams, and close to the CCTV control room, with their main base within the Wandsworth campus footprint.
“A shared operating base would support faster information sharing, stronger daily tasking, better joint problem solving and a more visible partnership between the council and the police.”
The report said the new police officers could begin to be deployed early next year.
The authority is also developing proposals for a new integrated enforcement team combining police and council powers. It would have a head of service, 22 enforcement officers, a data analyst and technical support roles.
The team would use intelligence, crime data and resident feedback to target enforcement activity in hotspots and respond quicker to issues.
The council will also review enforcement services across the borough, including powers, staffing, operating hours, case management and fixed penalty levels.
The report said: “The aim is to create a coherent, responsive model that can address multiple local issues at once while reducing the overall cost of enforcement currently spread across teams and functions.”
The full cost of the new police officers, along with the equipment needed to make the changes and transport, and the integrated enforcement team would be £4.9m in 2027/28.
Wandsworth’s new Enforcement Committee will discuss the plans on Monday (October 5), before Cabinet makes a final decision on October 12.
