Liberal Democrat councillors have welcomed further commitments to improve policing in the Highgate area. However, they have vowed to continue the campaign to ensure that Highgate receives its full share of the borough’s police resources, including a new beat officer and a full compliment of neighbourhood police officers.

Cllr Neil Williams was commenting on a letter from Chief Supt Stephen Bloomfield, following recent complaints about the level of crime in the area.

Chief Supt Bloomfield has acknowledged there has been an increase in burglaries in recent weeks and that he has therefore increased plain-clothes patrols. The police are also arranging for a feasibility study on CCTV cameras and signs in the Archway Road area, as well as an environmental assessment of others measures which may deter criminals.

Cllr Williams comments:

“I welcome the attention that policing in Highgate is now receiving from Chief Superintendent Bloomfield. However, we will continue to press for full police numbers in the Highgate area in order to get on top of the current crime problem.”

Cllr Lynne Featherstone, who has been pressing for more resources for Highgate at the Metropolitan Police Authority, adds:

“Highgate should have the same police presence as other areas in Haringey. As recent events have shown, it is clearly needed and the area mustn’t lose out because it is on the edge of the borough.”