Restore town centre policing
A visible police presence is vital for tackling crime, building trust, and protecting our community, especially in our town centres. That’s why we’re launching our campaign for restoring local policing in town centres right here in Merton and across Wimbledon.
The problem
Despite rising crime, town centre policing has been quietly eroded:
- Wimbledon no longer has a dedicated town centre policing team.
- Neighbourhood officers are stretched across larger areas with fewer resources.
- Government police funding still falls short, £130 million short for the Met alone.
- Official neighbourhood policing figures were overstated by over 6,000 officers by the previous Government.
Cuts and political inaction have weakened the vital link between police and public. Our high streets are paying the price.
Just this week, senior police chiefs, including Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, warned the Prime Minister of “far-reaching consequences” without proper investment in policing.
Yet promises from ministers ring hollow. The Government continues to fall short, and Merton’s Labour-run council has failed to act.
What we’re fighting for
Merton Liberal Democrats, backed by Wimbledon MP Paul Kohler, are standing up for real, visible policing where it matters most.
We're calling for:
- Restoring a dedicated town centre policing team for Wimbledon
- Nighttime safety street stalls to build trust and support the evening economy on Friday and Saturday nights
These are practical, proven measures that will make our streets safer and restore the community confidence we deserve.
Join the campaign
We believe our town centres should be places where people feel safe to shop, work, and socialise, day and night. If you agree, stand with us.
Back our call for dedicated police teams in our local Town Centres
We believe our town centres should be places where people feel safe to shop, work, and socialise, day and night. If you agree, stand with us.