Member of Parliament for the Cities of London & Westminster, Nickie Aiken, welcomed the new police on the streets of central London, funded by the Government as part of its commitment to recruit 20,000 extra officers across the country.

Speaking outside New Scotland Yard, Nickie commented,

"This Government promised to recruit 20,000 extra police officers, and that's what it's done. It has delivered on that promise. And we now have 20,000 extra police officers up and down our country, including 3,666 new officers right here in the capital and across the Two Cities. But we now need the Mayor of London, who is in charge of policing in the capital, to put these officers he's been given on our streets.

"I'm working with local people to ensure that the police and our local authorities in the Two Cities are working on our priorities. My Crime and Anti-social Behaviour Plan for Westminster was shaped by you. Thank you if you filled in my survey. The Plan reflects your concerns and your priorities. You want to see more police on our streets, stopping crime before it even is created. Support for the most vulnerable on our streets, particularly rough sleepers. You want our police leadership to be laser focussed on our neighbourhoods, tackling anti-social behaviour and particularly cracking down on cannabis smoking. 

"Now I am working with Ministers to make sure that the police have the powers they need to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. So working together, with your help, with your support, we can continue to cut crime and cut anti-social behaviour in the Two Cities to ensure that you who live here, work or visit here can enjoy a very safe environment."

Read Nickie's Crime and Anti-Social Behaviour Plan for Westminster here.

Live in the City? Click here to shape Nickie's Plan to Make the City of London Safer.