Caroline Pidgeon AM received a written question to the Mayor of London which showed that:

• In Ealing in August people waited over 4 hours for the police to arrive despite the target being just 60 minutes.
• Between August 2021 and August 2022 the average wait rose 65%
• Liberal Democrats demand an end to London’s police station closures and a return to community policing.

This was an increase of more than 65% in one year from last August, with some boroughs seeing the standard waits for a police officer more than double. Not a single borough met the 60 minute timeframe deemed acceptable by the Met, and in 6 boroughs the average wait time over the year was more than three times the target.

Ealing Liberal Democrat Councillor Connie Hersch said: “Behind these figures are countless frightening and upsetting stories, with victims of crime left vulnerable and unsupported for hours at a time. “Residents in Ealing are being badly let down and left to fend for themselves. Liberal Democrats are calling for proper community policing, where officers are trusted, effective and known locally. Is that really too much for Londoners to ask?”

Councillor Connie Hersch added: “Without leadership from this government our police service is increasingly unable to help and protect the public. The Mayor and the government must get a grip on this situation now. Even though local ward police officers are diverted to answer 999 calls and 999 calls are still not managed in time, demonstrates the extensive need for resources and leadership.”