Due to a significant funding shortfall for the forthcoming Metropolitan Police budget, there are proposals that the Parks Police unit be disbanded and its officers redistributed to other parts of London. Policing in Richmond Park would become the responsibility of the local community police team.
When the policing of Richmond Park became part of the Metropolitan Police in 2004, there were 15 to 16 officers for Richmond Park. The numbers have been cut significantly since then. The closure of the separate Bushy Park police team in 2015, to create a merged Richmond Park and Bushy Park team, cut the combined numbers to 7 i.e. 3 ½ for Richmond Park.
We are deeply concerned by these latest proposals which, if implemented, would see a further severe reduction in the police coverage of Richmond Park – with adverse implications for visitor safety, protection of wildlife and enforcement of traffic regulations.
Sarah Olney, Member of Parliament for the Richmond Park constituency, is conducting a survey of residents’ views on this potential change. We encourage completion of this survey.
Parks Police Survey | www.saraholney.com