Munira Wilson MP for Twickenham has branded the decision to cut the Royal Parks policing team as a "blow to community policing" following confirmation of the Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) decision.

The planned cuts to the Royal Parks Operational Command Unit (OCU) come amid wider concerns about rising crime and cuts to community policing across London.

Local policing already suffered significant cuts under the previous Conservative Government, with 572 police community support officers (PCSOs) taken off the streets of London since 2015.

Now, with the Met Police having announced further cuts as it faces a funding shortfall of £260 million, local residents are understandably concerned about safety in their local areas, including the Royal Parks.

Munira Wilson MP said: "Bushy Park is a beloved nature area that plays an important part in our community life.

"Whether it's tackling anti-social behaviour, missing person reports, criminal offences or distress to wildlife, the dedicated Parks Police Officers play a crucial role in making sure the park is secure and safe for everyone to enjoy."

She has also heard from constituents, including volunteer rangers, who are concerned that police drawn from the wider geographical area will not have the same local knowledge of the parks and surrounding areas as the dedicated OCU officers.

The MP has written to the Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to ask her to provide the necessary funding to support the Met Police and maintain vital specialist police units such as the Royal Parks Police in Bushy Park.

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You can read her full letter here.

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