A shortfall in police officers must be addressed to make Ealing's streets feel safe.This was the message voiced loud and clear this week by councillors and our readers.
Council leader Jason Stacey thanked the Gazette for running our Beef up Our Bobbies campaign as he secured the unanimous backing of council members to take his appeal to Mayor Boris Johnson.
The leader believes Ealing is due up to 72 more officers when to compared to other boroughs and will ask for a commitment from the London Mayor at a meeting on December 4.
And readers who took part in our online poll are overwhelmingly supporting our campaign, with 95 people in favour and only 14 against.
Cllr Stacey said: "What it comes down to more than anything is more bobbies on the beat. In dealing with crime and antisocial behaviour, the police have to be the focus.
"For the resources that they have, the local police in Ealing produce some very good results. Even a handful more would make such a difference to the work they do."
Ealing has one police officer for every 428 residents, he said, while other boroughs with comparative crime levels have a PC for every 250 to 300 people.
Perivale councillor Peter Allott said: "Perivale has some specific problems which would be addressed if we had more police. Western Avenue cuts through our ward and we have a very significant and rising problem with burglary and car crime."
Regeneration leader David Millican said: "We have to feel confidence and we have to feel reassurance as we walk about the borough. People out there at night want to see them in the middle of the night."
* The Metropolitan Police Authority asks people to have their say on policing priorities. Complete the questionnaire at www.mpa.gov.uk/yourviews/haveyoursay , or call 020 7202 0063.
