Liberal Democrats Demand Answers as Residents Express Fury at Canada Water Police Hub Betrayal
Liberal Democrats representing Bermondsey and Surrey Docks have written to Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, following a public meeting last night (29th May), where residents expressed fury and disappointment at the Canada Water police hub being axed.
At the meeting, representatives from the police faced widespread outcry at the decision to not relocate the police hub, formerly based in Seven Islands Leisure Centre, in facilities in the Canada Water redevelopment. Due to redevelopment, the police were evicted from the premises, but decided not to take up offers of new premises, instead opting to base themselves in Borough – over a 20 minute bus ride away.
In documents outlining the community benefits of the Canada Water redevelopment as part of the process of approving it 6 years ago, a police hub was one of the things that had been promised to residents. The Liberal Democrats say that this not being realised is a “betrayal of trust”.
In response to the anger expressed by residents and the Lib Dem campaign, the police alluded to there potentially being some movement on the decision, but could not give any guarantees.
In April, the Liberal Democrats wrote to Sir Sadiq Khan condemning the decision, but have since not had a response.
Commenting, Cllr Adam Hood, who represents Surrey Docks ward said:
“Residents are rightly furious at this betrayal of trust from Labour – who control both the council and the police in London. After being ignored by the London Mayor, we’re writing directly to the Met Commissioner demanding answers and assurances that residents across the peninsula have a permanent police hub to rely on. With crimes like phone snatching through the roof, we need more local community policing, not based on the other side of the borough.”