Hampton Policing Row

3.40.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Thu 21st Oct 2004

Vincent Cable MP for Twickenham

At a very well attended public meeting in Hampton, Divisional Commander Chief Superintendent Edwards was attacked by, inter alia, the Tory deputy leader of the council, Council Samuel, for the police's change in plans over a permanent base in Hampton. Instead of being based in the White House, as originally agreed, the current proposal being investigated is that the police should move into the site of the post office in Tangley Park, which is being closed.

MP Vincent Cable, who was at the meeting, defended the police and said that "the police are, at long last, making a serious commitment to Hampton. There will be a genuine, permanent, police presence. And under the Safe Neighbourhood scheme there will be a committed team of a sergeant, two PCs and three PCSOs for the Hampton North area who will, obviously, have a positive influence on law and order in Hampton generally. I am greatly encouraged by the police response".

The meeting was however interrupted by youths bashing loudly at the doors prompting a debate on anti-social behaviour.

Vincent Cable was critical of the delays in installing CCTV cameras: "It is seven years since I was first approached on this issue and persuaded Sir David Sainsbury to pay for a camera. Now that money is available for a more sophisticated, fully monitored system, there is still haggling with Sainsbury's over payment for an extra camera; but at least a partial system will go ahead in the next few months."