According to a new survey of Ealing residents for 2023/24 across the borough, 93% of Ealing residents say there is not enough of a visible police presence while less than 3% think there has been a reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour.
Around 500 people took part in the Ealing Liberal Democrats survey which also revealed that 61% of respondents said they have been a victim of crime and 27% of respondents of their families had to call out the police in the last 12 months.
The survey follows a previous one which the Lib Dems undertook in 2021 and highlighted two key issues – poor street lighting and the need for more local police officers walking the streets.
Liberal Democrat Councillor Connie Hersch, spokesperson for policing and communities said: “The survey showed that many residents feel that crime has worsened and over 90% want to see more police in their neighbourhood. The Labour Mayor of London needs to still raise the number of police in Ealing and Ealing Council need to improve their work with the police to reduce the likelihood of crimes and make residents feel safer especially travelling late at night.”
Liberal Democrat candidate for the Mayor of London, Rob Blackie added: “After eight years of Sadiq Khan, Londoners are feeling let down. The Metropolitan Police is in crisis, with local police numbers falling, despite funding for recruitment being available. London needs a Mayor who will get the Met focused on tackling violent crime and sexual assault, after the appalling failure to catch criminals in recent years.”
Mr Blackie added: “The mismanagement of the Met Police has been the Mayor’s single biggest failure. Trust in the police has hit record lows and this is clearly having an impact on recruitment and retention. If there aren’t enough police, there’s no hope of them doing a good job.”
